My other struggle with January is all retail small businesses tend to be very slow and quiet after the holiday season. Food, retail sales, and not many weddings are happening either. I have had multiple discussions with people about, perhaps, is it a better option to close a small business like mine during the month of January? Most of the time we spend more financially to be open then to be closed for the month which is to be expected for a retail January. But why can't we be like a tourist area that closes at the end of the season? Why couldn't we take a season off if a majority of the area wanted to also? I laughed, if they aren't visiting us they won't be missing us...oh such a struggle in my head.

During my self awareness of my January blues, no pun intended, I have tried to force myself to get out and learn to live a little again. I actually hit the road last week and headed to Memphis Tennessee to enjoy the International Blues Competition. We have enjoyed having The Michael Lee Band while performing at Serendipity on a couple occasions. They are from the Dallas-Fort Worth area and were competing along with over 120 bands from all over the world for the title. They made it all the way through the semi finals, which shows their talent for their first year competing. I met my best friend Shannon and her husband Doug, who is also a music lover and we stayed on Beale street at the famous Peabody. We were able to meet up with some other friends who were also in town to enjoy IBC. We had a ball, enjoyed Beale Street and its offerings, and heard some wonderful music. I then headed to Nashville, Tennessee to spend an evening with my dear friend Hillary whom I've known since junior high school. Loved to see her beautiful family and get to catch up and be a part of her world even if for a short time. Plus, we did get to hit a killer area that has the neatest family style restaurant that was to die for.