While I wish I could say I was in Venice, mindlessly floating down the Grand Canal in a gondola, noshing on some pizza…I am not. I have received numerous inquiries regarding the magazine so here’s the deal:
LONG STORY SHORT
I have not run away.
Issue #5 is STILL happening.
Issue #5 will be released Spring 2020.
LONG STORY
Supporting Print. I have said it before, and I will say it again––printing is incredibly costly, and I believe in quality over quantity, further adding to cost. Have I thought about offering digital versions of the magazine? Yes, I am adaptable, and I would like to do this (beginning with earlier issues), BUT again, there is always a cost.
Finances. On the financial side of things, I always do what is referred to as a “personal draw” to initially print the magazine. This means that I withdraw money from my personal account to print the magazine. Rest assured, all of your pre-order money is sitting in a separate business account just waiting to be pulled for print too––myself as well as my accountant and lawyer at Tomerlin Bookkeeping would have it no other way (Hooray for E-Squared Tax Books!!).
Perseverance. It takes years of hard work, determination, and perseverance to build something. Over the past seven months, I have made difficult decisions regarding my career, transitioned jobs, and sometimes, based on personal principle alone. Have my finances taken a hit? Absolutely. I have also been dealing with several family member hospitalizations and deaths. Yes, it is true, we all experience this little thing called “life,” BUT being the only doer for every single aspect of my business is REALLY HARD. I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t want to, it’s just that I had no other choice but to hit pause. I haven’t felt good about it. I think about it every single day. I lose sleep over it each and every night.
Change. I would like to say that my business is separate from me but it is not nor will it ever be. At present, the two are very intimately woven together. My aim is for E-Squared to grow, and to be able to weave those personal and business threads together more loosely so that when life happens, E-Squared doesn’t have to hit pause. Please bare with me through this process––it takes time and unfortunately, more money.
Thanks. Thanks. Thanks. I wanted to thank the artist (of Issue #5) who really did message me to ask if I ran off Venice. This person gave me a good laugh (which I really needed) and they also provided me with a lot of input regarding small business operations. Oh, and a whole heck of a lot of encouraging words––apparently, their daughter thinks I am a “real hero.” Who knew? I’ll take it. Hold on for just a little bit longer for the SPRING 2020 RELEASE!!
Your doer behind all things E-Squared,
Emily A. Dustman
Founder & Director
E-Squared Magazine