Petersen Media Group was started 3 years ago today, on Groundhog Day 2009. It was the biggest fork in the road we’ve had since getting married in 2006. We’ve had many ups and downs in the last 36 months ranging from 2 months of surplus to draining our savings account and having no idea when the next person was going to come along who wanted my services. Everything has been a test of our determination and deep-rooted faith that we are doing what we are meant to do in this season of our lives.
Doing what I love in service of those who love what I do.
In 2009, I served 58 clients and went up to 66 clients in 2011 with a total of 144 in my Freshbooks online accounting. I ran a 36-month report and learned that our gross revenues equal 63 months of the last salary I had, though our expenses self-insuring are much higher than before.
In 2009 and 2010, Beautiful was still working her office manager job at a family-run manufacturer. In fact, they gave her a raise on Groundhog Day 2009 when they learned that she left early the day before because I’d just lost my job. That turned out to be her last raise because beginning Feb. 1st, 2011, she stayed with me all day every day to be the much misunderstood and seemingly socially awkward role of “housewife.” You’d better read her account of quitting her job and doubling her salary to understand how valuable it is to stay home before having kids, which will be right along as soon as our paperwork is approved.
In June, we took a week to go to California to see her sister get her Master’s on the way to getting her doctorate in psychology. That sure was a fun week because it was my first time to California. In September, we made a rush, semi-emergency road trip to stay with my grandparents for 2 weeks when my grandpa wasn’t doing very well. Six weeks later, we returned to spend 2 weeks again because my parents were visiting and we had booked plans to spend our 5th anniversary at Niagara Falls!
This has been the best year – by far of my “long and storied CF life” and now that some particular trials we faced are behind us, I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
Congrats on three years of Petersen Media. Also, congrats on surviving a year of working together with Kristin in “close quarters.” I am sure good communication skills are helping you navigate the challenges of working together in a family business. May the Lord continue to bless you both in 2012 as you take on another new adventure!
Thanks, Dave. Yeah, communication has had to be stepped up quite a bit over being home alone all day and then diong chores on the weekends. Those who say they couldn’t do that make me a tad concerned that their spouse isn’t their best friend. Not that it’s easy, but it sure is rewarding.