December 2008

Exactly one year ago I had a yard sale at my then apartment in Sacramento. I sold nearly everything I owned and was left with a few boxes that fit nicely into my Vanagon. The next day I left cow-town and a few hours later I was driving blindly though Aptos, wondering how it would feel to call this new place home.

The new adventure I was embarking upon came on the tail end of a string of unrelated professions. The past 15 years found me mostly working as a school teacher but I also dabbled in the computer industry. For a couple years I drove a forklift at a winery while doing seasonal stints unloading fishing boats. I also worked part time jobs at recreation centers and at the Fleet Feet in Sacramento. Finally, in the same year during which I decided to pursue a Master's degree in creative writing, the opportunity came up to acquire the Fleet Feet in Aptos. I jumped on it.

A scattered resume like mine makes me look transient. So I view it in a more positive light. I like to instead think of myself as "well-rounded". When I found out last year that I would be the new operator of Fleet Feet Aptos I figured my diverse past would only help me. And maybe it did. Even though I wasn't tasting wine on the clock.

Regardless, for the next 30 days I'm still officially, a rookie. Not a Michael Jordan-type rookie but a greenhorn nonetheless. I doubt that after my first anniversary anything will drastically change but there's something amazing about the daily lessons I learned this year about business, the community and myself that will (hopefully) help me improve personally and professionally. Thank you giving me this opportunity.

On my first day of business back on January 3rd someone peeked in the door, looked around inquisitively and said, "Hey...you the new guy?" I said yes. He replied, "I heard there was a new guy. Welcome to town." At that moment Aptos became my new home.

We've got a lot of great plans for 2009 and most of them are already mentioned on our website. So check it out when you get a chance (www.fleetfeetaptos.com).

Happy holidays to you and your families. May the season bring you peace and less traffic than I remember there being on 41st Avenue last year.

Keep on Keepin' On.

Tom
December 2008