When I saw this picture I realized that’s exactly what my business with WineShop At Home has been… recession proof! The more I thought about it I decided to drag out my taxes to see if my theory was true.
When I started with WineShop At Home it was the summer of 2005, but I really started to take it seriously in 2006. So, from 2006 to 2007 my income increased 175%, that’s a BIG jump! I was working hard and focused on my big goal of not needed to work full time again (ever) and replacing that income. Plus it’s easy to see big increases when you’re starting from very little!
Another year of increase of 45%, for 2007 to 2008, which is not too shabby but more importantly, I was starting to pay attention at how seriously I should take this opportunity.
During 2008 to 2009 we moved, I got pregnant with baby number 1, hubby deployed for a 9 month tour to Iraq and I got a 20% raise (or more specifically, I gave myself a 20% raise and a baby).
Another big year of changes was 2009 to 2010, with baby number 2 on the way and another move except this time all the way across the country! In December we moved from California to Virginia, while I was 7 months pregnant. Can’t you imagine the fun?
By 2010 to 2011 ended up 22% and I had a new baby at home with my toddler, was renovating and starting my personal business over in a new state. I ended 2011 up 1% and very proud of it.
As a result of all my years of hard work and teambuilding my business now is much bigger so seeing those huge gains is harder. But like anyone building and growing a business, I also hit some roadblocks along the way and have had to push myself to break through them.
This year, I’m on track for an increase of 20%, I’m up 21.5% over the first quarter of last year and I’m excited about it. In high school I was inspired by reading about Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart, and the growth that they saw in the early days. It was then that I told my Dad, when I grow up, I want to own a business that grows like that. Even with challenges and setbacks along the way, it really is amazing what we achieve when we set our mind to it!