All About Me!

Hi, I’m Shannon!

I wanted to start off my first ever blog by saying that I am nervous and excited at the same time.  I have known that this day was coming and have been anticipating it for months now. I have dreamed about writing blogs and have thought about what kinds of things I could share, what would be appropriate, interesting, encouraging and funny.  However, now that the day is here where I actually get to share...I have to say that I am a bit nervous.  It's kind of like introducing yourself to someone you like and you want them to like you back..you want to be accepted and popular and loved. 

I've heard that there are many bloggers out there and it is kind of it's own community.   Well...I am hoping that, if you are reading this now, that you will visit my blog often and read my thoughts, most embarrassing moments (I have lots) and get to know me as I get to know you.  I really encourage you to leave comments so that you can become my "online friends"!

A Litte More About Me!

I have a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education, but am not currently a teacher!  I am now a business owner and LOVE what I get to do every day (well, almost every day).  :)  I am 39 years old currently and have two children.  My son is 14 years old and a freshman and my daughter is 13 and in the 8th grade.

In the past, I’ve worked as a 5th grade teacher at a public elementary school in Tulsa, Oklahoma (only for a year and a half...but have some great friends from those teaching days) been a stay-at-home mom, sold print advertising for a local Christian magazine, and had an in-home day care (not my best year)!  Oh, I have also been a youth minister's wife and am currently a preachers wife and although those are not paid positions..I would consider them work too! ,

These days, you will find me doing anything and everything it takes to run my business, Just Between Friends. I am a bit of a control freak, so I usually have my hands in too many projects that may or may not be mine to control.  

I have a business partner, Daven Tackett, and, together we own two businesses.  Just Between Friends of Tulsa, a twice yearly children's and maternity consignment sales event in Tulsa, OK AND, Just Between Friends Franchise System, the corporate entity that sells the above mentioned franchises.  jbfsale.com

We started the Tulsa business in 1997 when my kiddos were 1 and 2.  It was pure necessity as we were definitely on a budget and I wanted to shop in my friends closets! We had 17 consignors at our first event in 1997 and it happened in my 400 square foot living room.  A man tried to buy the couch! 

We run the Tulsa event twice a year and it is definitely a bear of a project.  Imagine, now, 58,000 square feet of children's and maternity items, 1400 participating families, 10,000 shoppers in 7 days.  Whew...I am tired just writing about it.

In 2003, the Tulsa business was seeing continued success and others were asking how to start a business like it in their communities.  That is when the JBF Franchise System was born.  This is the short version..I am sure that I will tell the long one at some other time, just not now. We franchised Just Between Friends (after reading Franchising for Dummies) and sold our first franchise in January 2004.  Currently we have 95 franchises in 20 states.  These women (and men) who run their own JBF are awesome people.  Seriously...it is like having a huge family.  We support one another in daily life as well as in our business lives.  

Daven and I run the JBF Franchise system full time (along with 4 staff members and a wonderful Executive Team) and you will find us way too busy just about every day.  Okay...there are slow seasons....and I do look forward to them and try to take a vacation then. (Can't wait until November 15th)  Maybe I will write about that too...

My Favorite Things!

When I am not working....I like long walks on the beach, visiting tropical locations (okay..this sounds like a personal ad) eating and exercising (those have to go together...I only exercise because I like to eat!) spending time with friends, spending time with and worshipping the Lord and I reap huge rewards as a mom of two awesome teenagers and am a wife of a wondeful, amazing, fabulous...did I say wonderful, godly husband of 19 years.  (I have to write this because I am sure that I will be writing about him in blogs to come....just adding to the love bank here).

I am always amazed that I get to live in this wonderful world with my wonderful family and my fun job...I am so blessed! 
I am looking forward to getting to know you and telling your more about me....can't wait!

Hugs, Shannon