Elle’s Journey

Well Well Well. In looking at the blog today I realize I’ve missed a couple big factual chunks of my story over the past months and I’m sure many bemusing stories. I’ll have to share the bemusing stories in person, since some of them might be too ‘saucy’ for the internet ; )

As for the ‘big chunks’. . . .

When I left Seattle I thought I’d have the opportunity to assist and train with Dean, my connection to working on ships aboard the Jewel in the Caribbean for 4 to 5 months. My simple task was to test to see if this position was something I wanted to pursue; sell Eden while aboard the ship; and continue on with my own ship contract after my training if I so decided. But those months unexpectedly turned into 2 short weeks. Ha! How life twists and shifts so quickly!

That’s when the opportunity opened up for me to train for my own ship. With many thanks to Dean’s advocacy, I made it into a highly competitive training in Miami, ongoing training in New York’s diamond industry, some time off with friends in Vermont, and San Francisco, then at last to Los Angeles in February to board my first ship and first contract to SoCal and Baja aboard a Royal Caribbean ship as the Port and Shopping Guide.

For the moment, I want to let you know I won’t be leaving Seattle until at least September 5th for my next contract. Due to awesome feedback on contract #1, contract #2 will be the Caribbean contract I was aiming for. So yes, the news is, I am planning to take the contract, if all goes as planned here in Seattle. Right now I’m focused on ensuring I’m resting and playing plenty in Seattle and second, stabilizing Eden Landscapes through a major sales and hiring push.

I made a big move two months ago when I decided to pull my company from the market and out of a bad deal that I was in the midst of negotiating. I know, I’m a crazy girl to keep the company I’ve been working so hard to set up for sale. Well let’s raise the glass and toast to a shift of perspective that allowed me to see a better way to get away from the stress and move onto the next phase of life.

I’ve decided to hire a General Manager who will have the opportunity to purchase a part of the business or the entire business outright (sweat equity or standard cash buy-out) If you know any candidates, please have them email or call me. I am interviewing candidates currently. I’m also hiring for an administrative assistant (PT), sales consultant, designers, gardeners (PT or FT) and the General Manager. If you know an interested parties have them email me at my business address.

Onto the fun stuff – Travel recommendations.

I’ve been to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Grand Cayman, Antigua, Cozumel, and Costa Maya in the Caribbean. For various reasons I would pick St. Maarten as my favorite so far. So taste a bit of paradise and definitely get to the Caribbean if you like the heat and ask me anything before you go!

In the Pacific, San Diego, Catalina, and Ensenada were my ports to call home. San Diego is beautiful, especially Balboa Park (highest concentration of museums in the nation I believe). Catalina is just a world unto itself, a throwback in time that you must go visit just because its so dang adorable, restful, and accessible right off the coast of Los Angeles. Ensenada is a couple hours drive south of Tijuana so its just beginning to clean up from that border town feel. The developed area downtown is quite small but I’ll tell you what! I’ve never met more kind and wonderful people than in that city. If you go to visit, I will let you know where the best taco stands are, the best pubs, and of course the best places to purchase jewelry since that was one of my expertises aboard the ships. So if you ever need recommendations or connections in any of these cities I would love to assist.

Give a call Seattlites while I’m here in the city!

Looking forward to it, Elle