we are now (almost) Business Owners!

Well, definitely a busy, 'happening' weekend!  Saturday noon Grant & I had a meeting with the current owners of the Cowichan Valley Property Guys franchise http://propertyguys.com/search/?k=duncan%2C+BC for almost two hours at the Woodgrove White Spot.  We came home still very interested in buying the business - we can both see much potential and a good fit for us.  I like the possibility of linking up home staging possibly next spring - mentioned that along with training etc to Grant and he agrees it is a good idea. 

After we got home I changed and we headed out to Harewood Plains for a dog-walk...H. took some pictures, I took lots more.  The weather was quite unpredictable - I put my jacket on and off several times!  When I get time in the next time I will upload the photos I took to the computer - and pick a couple for here.

Saturday evening we did a lot of talking about the business, but did not do the prerequisite profile - I was too tired to do something like that properly.  So Sunday morning after reading the papers we sat down at the computer and did the profile.  In the afternoon Grant took Kasia for a walk 'out back' and while he was gone I started roughing out an informal 'Letter of Intent to Purchase a Business'...it took a while as I wanted it to have the 'essentials' even tho I know it will be changed when formally/legally done through the lawyer.  Late afternoon I emailed Beverley/Buffy our Offer and we waited for the response. We did not include the car, as I really prefer to use the Nissan. With several emails back and forth, we got an acceptance back about 9pm or so - without the vehicle they are getting very close to what they were initially asking for.    This week is now going to be very busy with needing to meet with Jan, finding and meeting with a lawyer who works with business transactions, etc.  I listed the Motorhome on Kijiji and UsedNanaimo last night, and we will check to see if there is anyplace that buys rv's - though I doubt it.  We need to clean it out.  Now Grant feels the need to tidy/organize the workshop.  I sent an email also last night to Gary saying that we need a properly functioning office by June 13th!  When I am out today I will stop someplace to insure the motorhome - can't really sell it unless someone can take it for a test drive.  I had been reluctant to sell it before - but I now see the need to do that so we can use those funds for several needed payments.

On the weekend we got an email from a fellow from Switzerland looking for two weeks of homestay/tutoring in July - I replied yesterday aft, mentioning we are now in town and not in the country, but also mentioning what would be included.  I told Grant about the email, and we are hoping that we get a still-interested reply.  I think that once we get the Front Entry done - which also includes much related organizing - there should be more room in the sewing/guest room so that we may be able to do Homestay Tutoring more than just through the summer.  As of now we are scheduled to have a Mexican boy for next school year, but maybe we can get back to the Homestay Tutoring as a regular activity the following year.

Ian phoned on Saturday evening - he ended up at Silvertip Ranch in the mountains back of Bull River off the road between Jaffray and Fort Steele.  I had given him the contact info, and also the fact that one of our Helpers also stayed there in 2009.  Ian was accepted as a Helper - only other Helper is a very quiet female Veterinarian from Japan - and will be there until tomorrow when he heads to his summer job at Kikomun Prov Park southwest of Fernie.  It is doubtful he will have internet access, but I think he will have electricity as accommodation is in a 'trailer'.  Guess he will be doing most of his shopping etc in Fernie, or maybe Cranbrook. 

Well, I just went back and checked emails and found out we have now been approved as new franchise owners by PG HO, so time to post this and get moving!