For those of you who don't know me, I'm Kara McWhirter Waugh and I purchased Adela's earlier this month. I grew up in Fairfield and graduated from Iowa State University and Drake University. My husband, Barry Waugh, grew up in Libertyville and graduated from Simpson College and University of Iowa. From this information you can learn two things - we are naturally at odds during football season and we love education! We have an 8-year old who is going on 18 most days - Kerrick - who is a third grader and involved in multiple sports and activities. He made his onstage debut last summer in the Evelyn Gamrath Summer Theater Program and enjoys baseball, soccer and basketball. After living in Des Moines for almost 18 years, we moved back to Fairfield in 2011.
The #1 and #2 questions I have been asked are: why buy the store? and have you always wanted to own your own business? Funny you should ask - entering college I wanted to be the next Diane Sawyer or the first female President of the United States. I have spent most of my professional career working in government and later fundraising and event planning for higher education institutions and financial services companies. Late last year, I reached a point in my life and career where I felt stuck and knew I needed to make a change. I was traveling a lot and found myself unfulfilled and missing out on my own life. Not a natural risk taker, this is totally outside my comfort zone, but something I knew I could do. I have felt from the beginning of this adventure that I could continue to make the store successful while also bringing new things and new customers to it.
The idea was initially Barry's - he encouraged me to talk to Dorian when we learned the store was for sale - husbands be careful what you suggest to your wives! After a couple conversations with Dorian, we moved forward with financing and setting up all the business details. The entire process moved very quickly and I jumped in with both feet......and arms....and definitely my heart!
The most amazing thing about this endeavor is how seamless it has been. Dorian has been a great mentor and has made this dream of mine so much easier and attainable. She has provided advice while encouraging me to make the store my own and forge my own path. I couldn't have asked for a better scenario. Most of the staff has stayed with the store, which has been invaluable to me. They know the customers and have make my learning curve easier to digest!
Well, enough about me. I hope you will stop by the store to say hello and shop. There are a lot of new spring items and more new items arriving each week. And yes, we will continue to carry Pandora and Mariana jewelry. Please save the dates - May 4 and 5 - for our Grand RE-Opening.
Until next time - shop well my friends!
Kara aka Giftgirl
So excited for you, Kara - Welcome and Enjoy your new venture!
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