Opportunity comes knocking

On Friday I was browsing the commercial real estate listings online and found out that the specialty bookstore "Who Done It" on Lilac (close to my house) is for sale. Its more money then I could possibly come up with on my own at this time...well to be honest ANYTHING is more then I could come up with but the $95k that they are asking wouldn't be unreasonable for my father to obtain from the bank or other resources, which I could set up as a share holder loan and pay back if the business is profitable. Which is what I need to find out. Can it turn a profit every year? Could it afford to pay me a salary?

I emailed the real estate agent this morning to take a step closer to finding out if this is viable but I can not begin to fully express how much I would like this to work. Owning a bookstore is one of my dream businesses. Granted I always imagined it part of my bed and breakfast (in the study) and that my preferred genre is Romance not Mystery but this is too amazing of an opportunity to let slip past me with inaction. Dad is a huge mystery fan and I am more then willing to do my homework and read as many mystery novels as I have too to know whats good.

I'm holding back from telling everyone; my family, Alan & Keith know but that's it. If this doesn't work out I don't want this to look like just one more idea of mine. Granted as soon as I talk to the agent, get a chance to see the financial statements and find out if we can come up with the money, I am more then willing to share with everyone.

Its all I can think about! If it works out I could renovated the store and make it look a lot more Gothic. Warm walls, comfy chairs, dark wood shelves. I could have a little coffee station in the back and my friends & others could come in to visit. I probably don't even need a large staff. I could hire Olivia if I could afford it. and who knows, perhaps I could branch into other specialty genres (ie Romance) if things went well.

I am not a religious person but at this moment I find myself praying to who ever is listening to help me reach this goal. I am not look for an escape, an easy way out, rather this would be a step closer to my 'career' goals and happiness. When others went to school to train for a profession, my goal was to own my own business.

I think my dad will back me on this one and I really want it to work. My personal finances are NOT pretty and that is what makes me anxious about the whole thing.

I also think that I should be able to leave my position here easily. I can prepare comprehensive training course and because I'm leaving to be my own boss I can continue to be available to Hugh in the future if he needs help on something. I need to grow and expand.

Wish me luck!