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Post by boots on Jun 8, 2014 23:26:43 GMT -5
I did it you guys, my first bona fide pleine aire retreat at the farm, and it was marvelous!
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Post by DannyA on Jun 11, 2014 21:07:38 GMT -5
tell us things.
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Post by boots on Jun 12, 2014 10:11:18 GMT -5
Well - it was very cool and I have changed- can't explain it but there's been a transformation. The house is magical and with the right energy there's no telling what can be unleashed. 5 women talking about creativity, process, evil ex-husbands- fab new husbands- life changing experiences that honed the journey. It was just the right group, the chemistry was amazing and we all riffed off each other creatively- pardon the overused term - but truly the perfect storm. There was no structure other than meals (on purpose)so everyone was free to roam, paint, draw, sit, drink wine, whatever they wanted. One of the chicks was a professional psychic and explained the world to us in her terms, which unleashed a whole wave of influence from somewhere else. I don't know if I believe in all that- the gifts- but I will tell you I don't know everything about everything and am willing to listen to someone who is wise and in touch with something I don't understand. Here's a photo of one of the painter's set ups  Pretty idyllic Wanna come? We could write instead  |
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Post by DannyA on Jun 12, 2014 12:35:41 GMT -5
I'll come for the wine, then stay for the wine and not get very much done.
That is a gorgeous photo.
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Post by boots on Jun 12, 2014 15:52:04 GMT -5
Thanks for asking - wish I could figure out how to turn it into a business-
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Post by DannyA on Jun 12, 2014 19:44:31 GMT -5
Why can't you?
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Post by boots on Jun 13, 2014 9:31:32 GMT -5
Well I could but I may kill myself trying- its a 4.5 hour drive to get there, so I have to take at least 3 days off the day job- which I still need with obligations, etc.
I also need more space to reach some sort of critical mass. So I'm sort of waiting for a sign from God (you think I'm joking) on that one.
I dunno, I charged everyone about $200 so I could have feasibly turned a profit if I didn't have the $100 in gas to get there and could get my food costs down. I def could charge more- this was just a trial run, I wanted to get people there and get them buzzing about it. So I did it for cheap. I spent about $600 on food and supplies (wine) so I guess I broke even.
There's potential, but I'd need to not have a day job, and need to possibly figure out other models that include bringing in more people (the house only sleeps 5) - my wish would be that my neighbor would sell me her cottage and barn, she's an awesome neighbor and I would hate to lose her, but she has ailing parents that she may have to move in with, so we've talked about the option of me buying her property. I could then sleep 5 more people and the barn (very small tin shack- not a big red sucker) could be converted into a workshop.
Wish upon a star for me!
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Post by DannyA on Jun 13, 2014 12:32:04 GMT -5
Yeah -- you don't go all-in all at once, but start holding them occasionally and get a buzz going. The people I see fail at new ventures are those who say "I've always wanted to own a restaurant!" and put their life savings into it. You've got the right idea in building this slowly as a side-project.
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Post by boots on Jun 13, 2014 14:31:37 GMT -5
I have an old website- pretty much a place holder at this point- pretty crappy - but working on a new one- here is the draft - would love any feedback from you Danny or anyone else who is following this. bit.ly/1hUbOjK |
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Post by DannyA on Jun 13, 2014 22:41:41 GMT -5
Well, you pretty much have a plan in mind, don't you?
I wrote previously that "start holding them occasionally and get a buzz going."
Isn't that how many great things happened, including Levon Helm's barn concerts? Daryl's House?
Not to use all musical references, but you've got a toehold with this past week. Post those photos from the past weekend, enhance your website prototype and start planning for the future. Your website has a great structure so far. Just fill in the blanks as time allows.
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Post by Merc on Jun 16, 2014 5:07:32 GMT -5
Fantastic , Bootsy, Wish I coulda been there! Hopefully someday. Peace and quiet and painting sounds like heaven to me.
Xo
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Post by LongPlayer on Jun 16, 2014 20:16:51 GMT -5
God, I admire your drive. I think I'm a couple of years older than you, but honestly? I'm too tired to undertake something like this.
Also, I do not think it would be wise for you to invite me to this. There's wine, and I get a tad irreverent about art with enough wine or the like in me.
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Post by boots on Jun 17, 2014 11:22:19 GMT -5
God, I admire your drive. I think I'm a couple of years older than you, but honestly? I'm too tired to undertake something like this. Also, I do not think it would be wise for you to invite me to this. There's wine, and I get a tad irreverent about art with enough wine or the like in me. Oh please darling- THAT would be exactly why I would invite you! And no invite necessary- you just need to sign up, show me the money, bring a friend, and fly your ass to MPLS/STP / rent a car/ take a ride down the Great River Road/ and viola! You have arrived, and the prosecco is on ice. |
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Post by rainydaywoman on Jun 17, 2014 12:24:28 GMT -5
Boots, it takes some serious guts and courage to make your dreams come true. I am rooting for you!
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Post by Darren on Jun 18, 2014 11:56:35 GMT -5
Spoken like a woman who is doing just that. I think we can all take a page from the Rainy playbook.
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