It’s been a while since I’ve written, and while I started writing here primarily to talk about business, when you’re an entrepreneur, it’s hard to separate the two.
Business can be very personal.
I am, in fact, now a single father. Our separation has become permanent with my ex wife now living in Colorado Springs near the stores and me in the house with the kids. She has then on weekends and we will split time during the summer. While we have stayed very friendly and amicable throughout the process, divorce now looms in the near future and I hope that we can manage to get that done without any drama. I have no illusions that this will be simple though, we have kids, a house, cars, and a total of 4 businesses which we each own 50% of. Untangling will not be easy, but it will be necessary.
I’d like to say that the fast-paced world of a single father of two is entirely too glamorous and exciting to keep up with, but we can’t always do what we’d like 🙂 Much of life has actually gone on uninterrupted. Kids, school, work, etc. are pretty much status quo. Except now, I can date. Which is very weird.
The last time I went on a date, Clinton was President and we were all relieved that Y2K turned out to be bullshit.
Fast forward 17 years, and stuff is different. When I was growing up, “computer dating” was something that losers did. Now dating apps are “the thing.” I don’t have a lot of wisdom I can impart on the newly or unexpectedly single, I’ve only been at it less than 3 months, but I can tell you that swiping isn’t shopping and that there are a surprising number of people on there who are not single in the traditional sense.
At home, I run a tight ship. Stuff is actually clean and organized, like REGULARLY. I still manage to get actual food on the table every night, chores and homework get done, and the kids and I manage some quality time almost every day we’re together, which is nice.
But when the kids aren’t around, I have to say, it’s a little bit weird. The house feels empty and a lot of times I don’t know exactly what to do with myself. I thought that I’d love having so much time on my own, but I’m not quite used to it yet. It will be another big adjustment when the school year ends next month and I’ll be without them for a week at a time every other week. I’d like to think I’ll be ridiculously productive work-wise, but I have no idea what to expect in reality.
Speaking of work, although it was difficult at times, I did manage to keep up. I spent a lot of time basically just treading water, but I have an incredible team who pulled me through the tough days. We’ve launched 22 websites since the start of the year and we have more waiting in the wings, so I’m pleased about what has been accomplished. Revenue-wise we’re right where I wanted us to be and I’m more than a little relieved that despite my personal crisis, the business has not suffered. We also closed one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) single project in our 11 year history. So things are looking pretty good despite everything happening at home.
My ex — and yes, it is very weird to say that still — and I are working together pretty effectively as our roles as business partners and co-parents have demanded. I hope that trend continues.
Life is strange, but I’m slowly but surely becoming accustomed to all the changes in my world.