A day of resounding success!

I began it without any expectation. I've started businesses before and know how hard the beginning is.

We did our best to prepare: the cookies, the packaging, the stand, the teal umbrella, the last minute trips to Lowe's for pots of flowers, giving the lawn a haircut right before opening (with a trimmer, because my lawn mower broke down)...

I thought of what it would be like if no one showed up. We would be disappointed. We would have to figure out what to do with the loads of cookies my wife had baked. We would go to bed tired but with our heads spinning to try to come up with answers for "what went wrong?" It would be hard, but nothing new.

None of that happened. The people of Columbus showed up. Our neighbors showed up. People on Facebook showed up. We sold loads of cookies. Some even came back for more. $6 here. $20 there.

A friend who's in Hanoi today called up her daughter, who brought her husband and 3 kids to our stand. An 80-year-old neighbor 3 doors down drove her red Mustang convertible to our stand and said, "I know how hard it is to start something. If you need something, come and knock on my door. If I have it, it's yours." Another neighbor, who has diabetes and is battling cancer, bought a box of cookies and said, "I can't eat these, but I will give them to my friends so that they know about your business."

The list went on.

I'm touched. My wife's touched. It was a special day.

I don't know where this cookie business is going, but I'm content with how today went. It was a gift.

It's day that I will always remember.

Trung.

April 26, 2025.