Cartersville Family

All month long, Oak Leaf has been doing a series entitled “I love the 80’s”. The greeters, ushers and band have all played the part and it has been entertaining to say the least. I have doing a lot of walking down memory lane this past month. I was just a kid in the 80’s. My elementary and middle school days were filled with Dukes of Hazard, Family Ties, Growing Pains, the Cosby Show, side pony tails, banana clips, layered socks, fluorescent clothes, coca-cola jean jackets, tacky shirts, skating rink parties, and a lot of other fashion faux paus. I really don’t understand why all the 80’s stuff is back in the stores. Of all the decades, that is one that shouldn’t be repeated.

Tomorrow night is the volunteer 80’s prom event. I spent the early part of this week shopping for the perfect prom outfit. I found a great dress, shoes and accessories. Michael is going to look radical. I will post pictures later. I can’t wait to see what everyone came up with.

I would like to introduce Go Play Cafe to the city of Cartersville and residents of Bartow County.  My business partner, Kelly, and I have been working very hard for the past few months to bring a needed business to this community.  Go Play Cafe will be a coffee shop with a supervised children’s play area.  Our coffee shop will serve the best coffee and espresso beverages you have ever had.  Our play areas will be educational, exciting, and interactive.  Moms, dads and caregivers will be able to bring their children to the play area, leave them with our reliable staff and enjoy a superior cup of coffee or espresso drink.  Go Play Cafe will also host birthday parties and special events for the entire family.  We are looking forward to providing this excellent place beginning October 2008.  Our website will be up and running very soon and our presale of memberships will begin this summer.  If you have any questions in the mean time, simply reply to this post.

I have never spent as much time on the internet as I have these couple of months while writing my business plan.  It seems like the more information I find, the more work I realize that I need to do.  One google search turns into another and another and before I know it I have about 7 tabs open in firefox and it’s almost midnight.  Don’t get me wrong, I really am enjoying this new business venture.  It is requiring me to really think through some things and stretch my mind.  It has been very satisfying to accomplish bits and pieces of this process. I am very excited about our play cafe because it is going to be awesome!  Kelly and I know that we can make it successful and enjoyable…we just need someone to invest in us and our idea.  Our next big step is to apply for some funding so we can sign a lease and begin construction.

Michael and I are here in Seattle, WA hanging out with a church planter and his family. I have been so blessed by him and his passion for reaching the people here in Seattle. Many people don’t know this, but the Pacific northwest is a very unchurched area. Many church planters have come here and failed because it’s tough. But we have met a church planter who is driven, passionate and determined to succeed. He loves Christ and truly desires for the unchurched and prodigals of this area come to know Jesus in a personal way. It is cool to hear his stories about how God is already working through him and his church. It was great to see that God works everywhere - something we forget sometimes.

Tomorrow night is my final focus group to discuss ideas for my new business. I would love to hear what you think. This new business will be a fun and exciting place for kids to play and a relaxing environment for adults to enjoy as well.

We are meeting at 7pm on Monday, March 24th in Cartersville at and office in the Fuddruckers shopping center. We have refreshments and coffee and will be done by 8:30. If you haven’t already completed the survey, please click here.

What an amazing day. I know that all over the world, there were wonderful Easter services held to praise our Lord. I am always overwhelmed by the number of people who come to church on Easter Sunday when they don’t usually attend. I hope that today that has changed for them. I hope they experienced a life change and will continue on the path that God has for them. I am blessed to be a part of an awesome church where God is working. Several people prayed and trusted Christ to save them. All I can say is that we have an incredible Savior and i am privileged to be called his child.

Last night, Kelly and I hosted the second of 3 focus groups to discuss ideas for our new business venture. I was pleasantly surprised when more ladies came than expected. They gave us some great ideas and insight that we hadn’t already thought of. I just love talking to other moms. We all work so hard to be the best for our children and this new business will celebrate that. Thanks again for those who participated in the focus group and for all those completing the survey. We love hearing from you.

A new place for children to play and parents to relax is coming to Cartersville! This new facility will combine supervised interactive kids play areas with a relaxing café-style environment for their parents and caregivers. If you are a parent, caregiver, educator or small business owner, we value your thoughts and ideas when is comes to forming this business.

In order to ensure that this facility meets the needs of our target market, we are hosting two Focus Group Meetings on the following dates: Thursday, March 20th, and Monday, March 24th. Each meeting will take place at 1010 N Tennessee Street, Cartersville, GA (Fuddruckers shopping center) from 7 to 8:30pm. Refreshments will be served.

The purpose of this meeting is discuss ideas and plans for a new business. Receiving input from people who will one day enjoy this facility is key in the formation of this exciting new business. Your attendance and participation at this meeting would be greatly appreciated.

If you haven’t already completed our brief new business survey, click here to do so.

Last night was my first Focus Group meeting about the new business I want to start. It went very well. Those in attendance were some of my closest friends and they provided excellent feedback and support. I am so blessed to have them all. They are moms like me and the business will benefit them so their input is vital. I am excited to re-read my notes and put some thoughts on paper. I am looking forward to the next 2 Focus Groups and all the ideas that I am sure will be a result.

If you haven’t already completed a New Business survey, please click here and give me your input.

A new place for children to play and parents to relax is coming to town. In order to ensure that this facility meets the needs of our target audience, we are doing some research. Please click on this link to complete the survey. Thank you for your participation.