Worth waiting for...

I guess it's been quite a while since I wrote my last blog post. Jason reminded me of it last week and like always I said something like... "just as soon as I finish everything else"... which never happens. So, sometimes you just have to press pause.

We've been so fortunate to be incredibly busy this year. Every time we hit a new level, Jason and I take a moment to reflect on where we've been. The road has NEVER been easy... but it sure has been fun and interesting. I wouldn't trade this epic rollercoaster ride for anything. It really is true that entrepreneurs work ridiculous hours and have the craziest experiences... but when you're doing something you love it really doesn't matter... in fact it's a blast.

I was just reminded of this again. I spent the weekend up along the North Shore with a few friends. For my birthday this year I asked a group of them to come with me to the North House Folk School... where we crafted our own traditional snowshoes. The instructor has been a woodworker all of his life and the classes he teaches are all over the board... including boat building! It was obvious he takes great pride and care in what he does.

As we went around the room talking about what we did and why we were there... I was proud of what I had to say. Never have I told someone what I do and had them look at me and say... oh, that' sounds nice. Usually I am met with a wide eyed ...WOW!!! And dozens of follow up questions. That never gets old. Anyway... spending 3 intense days bending wood frames, chiseling out joints, planing, sawing, riveting and lacing... oh my the lacing... that takes forever. I thought a lot about what it means to build something of quality... with your own hands. Once you do this... you will never take it for granted.

I am Jason's number one fan. I have been for so many years. Back when he was just honing his craft and learning to love it. There was a lot of hard work and hard times that served as lessons. Jason loves the trumpet. He loves building them. He loves how they work. He loves playing them. He likes thinking about how to make them better. It is all he talks about. I talk to him several times each day. Many times for over an hour or more discussing the business and our plans... but mostly... about what he's excited about... what the next step is... and how he can't wait to get to that next level. There is always a next level in his mind. I think many times he is frustrated that he can't skip the next 5 levels and go all the way to the edge of what he wants. I have never met a man so excited about what he does... or so meticulous about the process. He takes great pride in each and every part of the instruments he builds. I have watched him do this for years. I could cry just thinking about it. I wish that everyone knew him the way I do... and could know how many mornings he is in the shop at 5am... and how many nights and weekends he is there until 11. How many machines have broken. How many fires were started. How many years he worked in an unheated garage. How many times we have both just almost been in tears over the next challenge that seemed to come at the worst time. And how many times we've literally screamed with excitement about the rewards. Harrelson Trumpets really is a family run American arts and crafts business that is run by people that love the instrument, love music and love their work. I feel like I went off on a huge tangent... when I started this entry I really didn't know what I was going to write... but I guess my weekend in the North just renewed my pride well made things. At a time when you can get almost anything in less than 24 hours... it's nice that there are some things still worth waiting for.