The Road to the First “Yes” – And My Take on What Came Next…

A few months back, I shared the early seeds of this project with a new friend, who rapidly became a good friend during one of our many conversations. He and his wife are great people… warm, engaging, and always up for a good conversation. When I outlined the vision, he didn’t hesitate…  “I’m in,” he said, even offering their business as our first contributor and offering to add extra money to help get things rolling. It was encouraging, the kind of early buy-in that fuels momentum.

Fast-forward… I decided it was time to make it official. I drove 150 miles, about three hours through familiar roads, to deliver a formal presentation and make good on our initial understanding. I had another reason to be in the area, but the main draw was cementing this as our inaugural Merchant Member. I knew our history and his initial enthusiasm made it a solid bet, a strong way to launch.

We sat down like old times, diving into the details. Conversation flowed, ideas bounced around, but as we talked logistics, a subtle off-note crept in… nothing glaring, just a quiet sense that things might not align as expected. He mentioned settling up in cash right then, but I suggested an invoice for easy business tracking. He agreed, and I said I’d email it over with more info. I left feeling optimistic, already brainstorming ways to promote his business and make that support count.

Then… silence. Weeks passed without a word. No response to the follow-up. I’ll be honest… it caught me off guard. I’d been so confident based on our earlier talk, and the ghosting was a surprise that shook my stride a bit. But in the bigger picture, I’ve come to see life’s twists as necessary prep work. My own life has been super messy, full of unexpected challenges that built what I needed for this moment, and I figure this is no different.

No grudges on my end… far from it. They’re still friends I value and look forward to seeing again, maybe even sharing a chuckle about how it all went down. I truly believe it unfolded as it was meant to, opening space for the right pieces to fall into place, and further mold me into who I need to be.

The lesson? Every step, even the surprising ones, moves us forward. It reminds me to stay flexible and keep the door open. If this story sparks something in you… Whether as a potential Merchant Member or just a supporter, let’s connect. No epic drives needed (unless you’re in the mood for one). Together, we’re building something that changes the world, one connection at a time.

My goal in this, my final adventure, is to be honest and transparent, letting you see the good, the bad, and the ugly. Even when it doesn’t play out as I planned.  I didn’t expect things to start this way, however, but it is what it is.