Today, I share with you a journey of love, loss, and resilience. This story I have never shared publicly, but here it goes!
Thirty-seven years ago, a young mother with a six-month-old, I stepped into Badcock Home Furniture, not knowing it would shape my destiny. Mr. Howard Drawdy, with three simple questions, my name, can I count money forwards and backwards, and when could I start set me on a path that led to a lifetime of memories. My first day on the job, he hands me this huge catalog and says, "Go help those folks", that was all it took!
In those early days, a chance encounter with a familiar face from junior high, Lonnie Dunn. This handsome, young man, ask me out for that evening and I of course said yes! Ever since that day, we have been inseparable! Lonnie and I married October 14, 1989. Right after the monthly business cycle ended (my fellow dealers will understand that funny bit). United by love and a shared vision for our future, together, we navigated the challenges of the corporate world, eventually taking the helm of our own franchise store in Canton, thanks to Lonnie’s father’s support.
Our dedication bore fruit as we achieved the #1 Performance ranking in our first year as Dealers. Our children grew up in the store, with our daughter Nicole and son Jeremy Dunn becoming integral parts of our business and legacy. Nicole would eventually come work in the store when she got older, Jeremy would get off the school bus in front of the store, as a young boy, and now he and his fiancé', Atzin Ayon run the Rome store together and was dreaming of becoming the next generation of Dealer's in our family.
But here we are today, faced with this overwhelming sadness, fear, and unknowing future we face! We stand at a crossroads, our future uncertain, but our faith remains steadfast.
At 57, starting over is a daunting prospect, but Lonnie and I are fighters. We’ve poured our hearts into our stores, our staff, and our community—they are our family. And it’s for them, and our family, that we will continue to stand strong with Badcock. The doors may be closing for Badcock, but we have to power ahead!
We ask for your prayers for our employees, their families, and ours as we navigate this storm. The future may be unclear, but our resolve is unwavering. We will face tomorrow with courage, together.
So where do we go from here? I don't know. Right now we can only put it in God's hands and trust that this too shall pass. He will guide us and we will follow.
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