Starting a small business has been very rewarding. We’ve met so many interesting people and learned so much in the ensuing months, which are slowly becoming years. There have been growing pains, as with almost all businesses, but when you start with such a fantastic product, it makes the highs overwhelm the lows.

It also helps that I have a very supportive family. All of them have contributed in their own way and are still keen to help out whenever and wherever possible. I was so keen to have them help, that I offered them each the option to name their own titles in the company. Both kids were disappointed when I told them that ‘President’ was already taken, but they barely skipped a beat. Ben opted to be ‘Director of Special Ops’, which mostly entails counting and moving inventory, but he does it in his own special way... covertly. Avery followed her passion and has become ‘Art Boss’, after her suggestion to draw maple bark-like features in the background of the bottles. Although my sister Carrie helped by rendering the label artwork, which I’ve been thrilled with since I first saw it, Avery is always coming up with new ways of presenting images of Maple X.

Krista, my loving wife, has declined an official title despite my overtures. I’ve offered ‘Business Manager’, ‘Office Manager’, and ‘Social Media Manager’, since she actively covers all of those roles, but she refuses to accept an official position in the company. Perhaps she doesn’t want to label herself and as such retains the freedom to rule the household as she has done so well over the decades. More likely she doesn’t want to acknowledge a subordinate role, though I know better than to assume I could possibly boss her around!

To the many friends, extended family and teammates who have encouraged this venture: Thank you! From the Frontenac Flyers hockey team, whose end-of-year banquet allowed for the first public release of Maple X, to my Grand Masters Ultimate team, Tombstone, who encouraged the sharing of Maple X with other countries’ representatives at the World Ultimate Club Championships, to my mother-in-law, Florine, who is my best customer; you have all played an essential role in getting Maple X to where it is now.

Over the course of this blog, I’ll reminisce of the past and dream of the future. I hope the posts bring you as much enjoyment as I anticipate the writing of them will bring me.

Cheers!

Derek