The old saying goes "Behind every successful man there is a woman". Does it follow then that behind every successful woman, there is a man?
I hope neither are true. I believe that behind every successful person, there is a group pf people who are there for the good times and the not so good.
Meet my family. Sisters, brother, children, nephews, in laws are the backbone of Churchill's. As the picture shows with the gold medals and the "Usain Bolt", they show up, stick together, make suggestions and carry me when my legs fail.
When we opened in 2005, they donned aprons, carried samples and stopped passing shoppers on Bayview Avenue in Toronto to tell our story. From the littlest 9 year old to the mature 60 year old, they proudly wore the "Churchill's Logo". From my son Justin's photographs (www.justinmorris.ca) to my son-in-law Mike's marketing (www.mikocommunications.com), I have been blessed.
The myriad of tasks that keep a new business running, but are difficult to pay for, have been handled cheerfully and cooperatively by every single one. Fall has been a busy time in the shop and every Thanksgiving we herded all the family together to cut paper, tie ribbons, make bows, stack boxes and organize the hundreds of little details that ensure smooth sailing over the Holiday Season.
I thank them all. But there is one person who needs to be named. My sister Jan, who has been with me in body and spirit since convincing me on the dock in 2003, after more than one glass of wine, that I could do it, that I should do it, that I had to do it.
Jan is my partner in every way. She has never let me down. She has made me laugh every single day. She rides along on ribbon searches. She goes along just enough to keep me out of trouble but not too much to let me drown. She shows up and never gives up. She learned to tie beautiful bows ("I'm not creative"). She helps me decide and when I'm not sure she gives me space.
It does take a village. I am grateful for mine.