12/15/2025
In case you didn't know....
My first shop was in the now demolished old McConnell's and Waterson building. I had a few friends help paint and help me build a pretty cool shop. After we opened, new friends helped with more renovations. I was really blessed!
Even tho the landlord never fixed a few key needs for a biz(I never had hot water for ex.), we made it work just shy of 2 years before moving up by Kittanning News and The Health House. The 40% wholesale and floor tax hit. I had to clearance out 75% of my shop to survive! I had to move to save on rent AND because there were people sneaking in the building. The basement had been emptied and rearranged...rewired...and a ton of crazy stuff that I wasn't aware of. My only need to go down there was for utility employees. A couple of my supposed friends and a guy that helped me (to get eliquid/supplies) had opened the back entry without my knowledge. There weren't cameras beyond my shop...why would I.... I let folks use my restroom, and they slowly got the opening ready. My kindness and trust during a time when I was fighting for all Va**rs rights and trying to help my kids through tough times...was taken advantage of. I had two friends walk through the entire building so they could see what was going on...and we took pictures a week before I moved. It was in really bad shape in 2016. I can't believe I was allowed to start my business there!!! BUT, we sure did make the space look amazing. We had a blast in an Industry before govt intervention. It drove me crazy, I went through hell, but I did it all to help folks stop smoking. Most stopped va**ng as well. I'll always be proud of myself for not going after the big $$ and selling people what they truly needed for success. ❤️
