Thanks for all the love on my post about our journey to Brown Co! But I know that everyone is really wondering how in the world did we go from the Barnyard Shoppes to the Barn Burner?? . The short version is that we bought the property in July 2018 and went through many revisions, doubts, and long nights before finally securing our financing in March 2020. We closed on our construction loan ~4 days before the world shutdown due to Covid, but we were able to complete construction in 7 months and we welcomed our first guests on Nov 13, 2020! . Of course, there were lots of twists and turns in those 2 yrs, so here are 5 things we learned along the way that might help you too: . Before you even start, spend time figuring out what you actually want and need out of life. This will look different for everyone, but will be invaluable in narrowing down your options. . Get to know the role of and staff at your local gov’t departments, and get familiar with any applicable regulations and ordinances. It might sound boring but you need to know what the rules ACTUALLY say (not just what someone SAYS they say or how they've traditionally been applied). . Find a partner/business friend/confidant that you can bounce ideas off of and who will help you navigate through the highs and lows. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart and, no matter how determined you are, you will lose hope occasionally. . No one else will believe in your dream or your abilities as much as you do. No one. If you’re going to make a big dream a reality you MUST know your plan inside and out, be determined, and ready to sell the vision to others. Your resolve will be tested along the way (see 👆 for what can help with that) but ultimately it all comes down to you. . In the end, you have to stay flexible, think ahead, and be willing to pivot when necessary. It’s a strange balance - feeling confident enough in your ideas to pursue them, while also being willing to change and roll with the punches that will come your way. . . For more details, check out our blog at the link in my bio. And stay tuned if you want to know more about our actual construction journey and what we’ve learned hosting guests.