Twinsight 20 of 50: Live Interdependently with Gratitude

A couple of weeks ago, I introduced the idea that four qualities can converge in your 50s—energy, interdependence, wisdom and humility. Four friends of mine who are age 50+ have graciously allowed me to interview them about one of these qualities. This week, I’d like to introduce you to an amazing woman, Bernice Flanagan. At age 74, she continues to work 10-hour days running her business, The General Store, in my hometown of Edinburg, North Dakota. She and my mom shared the same name and many common experiences and values, so she’s particularly dear to me.

As a business and community leader, I’m amazed at the way she lives so interdependently – really living and working in her community and beyond every day with an underlying sense of gratitude. How does she do it? Here's what she had to say.

How did you get started with your business? In 1982, my husband, Jim, our sons James (age 19) and Joe (age 9), and I were living a wonderful life in the farming community of Nash, North Dakota, when our lives changed dramatically. Jim died suddenly. I needed to quickly make decisions about where to live and how to support my boys and me. I decided to move to Edinburg and started selling World Book encyclopedias, becoming a district manager covering several counties. Everything just fell into place…it was pretty amazing. But the traveling was getting really tiring. Then in 1993, a “for sale” sign came up on the hardware store. I didn’t have any retail experience, but I knew I could learn. So I made an offer. As it turned out, three men and I became partners and bought the store. A year and a half later, the store burned to the ground but we didn’t let that stop us. Our business reopened in what was the Community Hall, a 1938 Works Progress Administration (WPA) project of the depression era. As time went on and changes came about, I eventually became the sole owner and now I get to "play store" Monday through Saturday! What I enjoy most is when a group like a Birthday Club, Red Hats group, or Senior Citizens Club books a tour and I have the opportunity to tell the history of the store, the story of the trains, show and tell them about the oxcart with its history, and let them experience the beauty and charm of our well-kept Small Town, USA.

As you've worked with people through the years, what have you learned? Throughout the year, I am always learning from customers as well as the hardware and gift market events that I attend four times a year. I've also learned that there are two vital components to making our life at the store enjoyable - coffee and fun. My helpers and I start the morning with coffee which gives us the opportunity to talk about the day in a positive, harmonious way. Coffee just always helps! I've also learned that it's important to have as much fun each day as possible. We draw customers from all over, and I love visiting with them. It seems like there's always something to laugh about. The children especially like playing with Muffin, the General Store Kitty, who always seems to get us laughing.

How have you had the courage to take risks along the way? It hasn't always been easy. My boys and I have worked very hard. And I've had to make some big decisions - like moving to Edinburg and buying the store - when I haven't known what to do. But I'm proud to say that they both graduated from college debt free. And other than losing my husband early in life, my life has been filled with many blessings as I simply trust God with each day.

  

What keeps you going? I have some quotes that sum up what I believe and how I want to live my life: 

• "I am rich in blessings. I don't have a desire to be wealthy, but I hope when it's all said and done that I have made a difference."
• "You're never poor as long as you have a dream."
• "The highest form of satisfaction in life is helping others."
• "It's such a gift to do work that you love to do, and then have that work be something that you're so proud of."
• "You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give. But the real secret of happiness is what you share."

What’s on the horizon for Bernice? When she turns 75 next year, she’s hoping to write a memoir. In the meantime, I'm quite confident she'll continue to learn and make a difference in others' lives.

 

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Twinsight 19 of 50: Get Energized by Doing Something You Love

Last week, I suggested four qualities that can converge in your 50s—energy, interdependence, wisdom, and humility. Now this week and the following three, you’re in for a treat. You’re going to hear from four friends of mine who are leaders age 50+ and exhibit one of these qualities particularly well. Today I’d like to introduce you to my first cousin and dear friend, Nancy TenHulzen. Along with her husband, David, she leads and runs Park View Alpacas in West Linn, Oregon just outside of Portland. They started the business in 1993 with 5 alpacas, which are essentially small llamas. Today they have 250 alpacas, raising them for breeding the future generation of herds and the wonderful fiber that produces cashmere-like material. I’m amazed at the high amount of energy required to run and grow a business that has never really been done before anywhere. How does she do it? Here are some of her insights.

What does a typical day look like?
Our home is on 6 acres and we are able to raise about 45 alpacas on our home ranch. The other animals are at our main ranch which is 15 minutes away. Our females have about 70 cria (babies) a year. I have a very talented, hard working, and caring staff who do most of the hands-on work. We shear about 200 alpacas in 5 days every May, and send their fleeces to a variety of processing mills including the Pendleton Blanket Project. I now mainly work on marketing our ranch and the Prestige Auction as well as planning our next trips to show our animals.

What do you do at the shows?

About 5 times a year, we show 30 animals in halter shows around the country. We have been fortunate to have been named Suri Breeders of the Year, had 2 different Herdsires named Herdsire of the Year, and won many Best of Show and Supreme Trophies along with a couple hundred Color Championships. Our goal has always been to create high-quality, healthy alpacas by purchasing and breeding the best alpacas available.

How do you keep up the energy to run a business?
Sometimes I feel like I'm running out of energy! But then I wake up and there are always things to do to keep everything running. I always try to eat healthy and in moderation. One advantage for me is that I've never really liked sweets. I also try to exercise 45 - 60 minutes a day (cardio, weights, core body work), get a decent amount of sleep, keep my stress under control, and make sure my vital health numbers are in check. And, because the alpacas are very calm, gentle and curious, it is a joy for me to look out at them and be around them.

What tips do you have for other business owners?

This business really started as a little hobby, and I had no business degree, no business background, and no ranch experience. It all really comes down to:

• Common sense. A lot of our decisions are simply common sense like working hard, investing in high-quality products, making decisions for the long-term vs. the short-term, hiring high-quality people and treating them well, setting a realistic budget and sticking to it, making a list of goals and reviewing and revising them regularly, and following the Golden Rule.
• Marketing sense. We have a strong network with other alpacas breeders and stay in regular touch with them through our website and emails. We also market by attending shows and events, and holding our own auction. I'm always thinking about why customers should want to come to us because it's really their choice, and we want to be an organization they're excited to choose.  
• Doing something you love and the money will follow. It’s not all glamourous, believe me. But I really do enjoy the business and  all the wonderful people we have met. It’s been really fun to see it grow and evolve, and to keep a good attitude and continually grow and learn with it

Thanks to Nancy for her insights! Next week: insights on how interdependence strengthens your leadership.

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