Cedar Creek Stained Glass Gallery - A Special Message

Cedar Creek Stained Glass Gallery - Featuring Artisan Made Stained Glass & Glass Gifts

A Special Message

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I am often asked about what kind of work I did before I decided to be a stained glass artist. So I thought I would share a portion of my journey and my approach to owning a business. I was a career manager during the hey day of the Yuppie Movement during the 80's. These were the days of "Dress for Success", and work, work, work. It was cut throat, competitive, and you were always chasing the proverbial carrot on a stick for a promotion, more money and more benefits either in pay, health care, stocks, vacations, awards and trips and anything that would motivate you to sell more and more "stuff". I worked for some of the top fortune 500 companies of which one reported that it cost them over $120k to train me and others to be managers for them. In essence I received an MBA in business with this company. They taught us everything about managing a business.

One day while working for this company, a couple came in carrying the boxes of their computer system. I thought,"Oh no, a major return. I am going to show a negative sales report for the day". My job was to re-sell this product to them and convince them to keep it as well as to sell them more. When they approached the counter I greeted them and began the estimated 12 steps of making a sale/keeping a sale. Their story was heartbreaking. After they purchased their computer, they had been in an accident which had disabled both of them. They had struggled into the mall on crutches and casts and put the boxes on the counter, then told me what happened and that they would not be able to continue to make payments on their newly obtained store credit card, because of the accident, and wanted to return the computer. This company had a 30 day return policy for computers. I called the District Manager and explained the situation and his reply was that it was over 30 days and we could not take the return. This customer had come in on day 31. My heart sank. These were genuine people, with a real problem and I was working for a company that was heartless and only cared about the sale. This was my AHA moment! Shortly thereafter I left this company and changed the path of my life forever. I had been studying Massage Therapy in several modalities and exploring as I had all of my life different vehicles for artistic expression. While living on Cape Cod I worked as a massage therapist and discovered stained glass. The rest as they say is history.

I had made a promise to myself that if I ever chose to open a retail outlet for my glass, that I would run it with all the skills I had learned, with one exception. The environment and philosophy of my business would acknowledge that nothing I was selling was necessary for life, and that anything I sold would be of such a quality, function or purpose that it would add to the customers life, not stress them out over how they were going to pay for it. I wanted my customers to be comfortable in an inviting and beautiful atmosphere, providing them with a truly wonderful experience whether they bought something or not.

I opened Cedar Creek Stained Glass Gallery in what has become the most tumultuous time politically, economically, and socially. As we face some of the most challenging economic times I have seen in my life time, some have said to me that this wasn't the best time to open a new venture. I disagree and this is why. If we waited for what is called the "right time" to do anything, that begs the question, "What, where or when is the right time?". My answer to that is, the right time to follow your dreams, goals, ambitions is all the time. You have to start somewhere and the journey will teach you many things including what not to do the next time. This answer may seem simplistic but it is not. It requires right action and right attitude, and good business practices. Not just when things are going well, but all of the time!

Come out and visit us and see the work of the many different artisans that show in my gallery and take a break from the stresses of life. Maybe you will find something you'll want to buy, or maybe you'll find new friends. Either way you're always welcome to visit us.

In closing, I would encourage anyone that reads this that has ever wanted to do something different than your doing right now, to never be afraid to try something new, follow your dreams, or create a whole new way of living. It takes courage, discipline and a lot of hard work, often alone. Most importantly, you will need to discern what is good advice, and what is simply the unending chatter of those that are all to willing to tell you why you shouldn't. Their thoughts are creating their reality of limitation and lack. Your dreams were given to you not the naysayers! Fill your dreams and hopes with thoughts of unlimited possibilities and resources, and watch a miracle happen!!

Thank You For Visiting This Page,

Diane M. Brunetta

Remember, "Thoughts Become Things, Think The Good Ones"... Mike Dooley