WRITTEN BY CHERYL WELLS
I love this saying because it offers wise advice for many areas of life. I’m grateful that I learned it years ago from my husband, Mike. He says he developed this perspective through his years at Wells’ Enterprises, the family business in Le Mars that has been part of the community for 110 years. The company continues to move forward since Ferrero acquired it in 2023, with growth and expansion in many directions. I remember waiting for that deal to come together and we would both talk about what we had learned in the past and it seemed to make it easier in the waiting when we would feel the need to want to control.
I just did an interview with Robin and Dave Grosenheider in Le Mars who owned Hotopps Jewelry and Gifts for 48 years and we talked about this also. I had them on my Friend Friday Live on Facebook that I do every week. They sold their business, and they are retiring, but they both are very community-minded, and they are staying in Le Mars. They shared many stories about how their business changed over the years. Robin talked a lot about her employees who are very close friends and even have become their family.
They sold to Jeff and Jessica Pottebaum from Remsen, Iowa. Jessica has been working for Robin for the past ten years in the store and as the Grosenheider’s waited for an answer to their hopes and prayers, it became an answer for both couples. Speaking with Jessica she shared that she had been thinking about it for a while, but the timing had to be just right. Robin said that years ago a good friend had said to her that one day you will know that the time is right to sell and retire. That day came, and the business is now transitioning to Pottebaum’s ownership and oversight.
Another beautiful thing that is happening is that Robin agreed to stay and help Jessica learn the ropes. I love this and it reminds me of when we purchased Betty’s Cakes in 2015 and Betty came to work for me so that I could learn her business. She stayed two years and I loved working with her and Rod to learn all the details and the love and care that they gave to all their customers. Dave and Robin have done that also and they can now pass that kind of legacy on to the next owners.
As I interviewed the Grosenheider’s on my live broadcast, they shared many stories from their years of experience. I told them that I value stories, as they offer so many opportunities to learn. I’m wondering if sharing this story might be valuable to those that are wondering and waiting for an answer to their next step. Remember to “wait long enough for things to play out, then you will know what to do”.
This advice matters at every stage of life and may be especially meaningful for someone like Jessica, a new business owner. I apply it in both my personal and professional life, and it continues to guide me. At its core, it is about learning to wait with intention and faith. We ask God for help and direction in every area of life, and we wait and trust that He is leading. Oh, the stories that we can tell of the provision of God and the peace that He brings.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” (Proverbs 3:5,6)
