Why, Will, Why?

When I started this "gig" a year or so ago, I thought I had my reasons.  I would be lying if I said that financial gain wasn't one of them (there would be some folly in starting any business if it wasn't financially viable), but there was also the freedom that comes with autonomy.  I remember the first time I was driving back from a $30 job thinking this is it... this is my business.

And one year on, that feeling is still there.  In fact it's far more tangible now than it was then.  Before, I had a lot of doubts; now, I realize this could well be a successful (and, yes, profitable) business. My business. But delivering the one thousandth flyer today brought another realization; that I am overwhelmingly happy that perhaps I am bringing the community a little closer together. On my strolls to people's mailboxes in the last few weeks I have met some lovely neighbours that otherwise I would never have had the opportunity to meet. And all are just the friendliest of folk. And that goes also for my local clients who I can see easily becoming good friends. I do love animals and plants very much, but deep down I love people and strong relationships more, and I truly believe that that sense of community which we seem to have strayed from in the past few decades needs to be revitalized. We need to know the people in our communities for many reasons - security, peace of mind, growth, sense of belonging, personal success, acceptance and enlightenment.

I'm not trying to be pompous. Obviously one little house sitting business isn't going to bring an entire community together.  But there is a compounding effect, and if I can add to that large rolling ball of community spirit then this business will have been far more than I had ever hoped, whether it's financially successful or not. Although I'd rather it was.