My little story of business resiliency - Part 7

The new beginning

Back to that chilly night. It's almost ten o'clock in the evening when Patrick wakes me up with his repeated knocks on my car window.

He must talk to me.  He is perplexed to see me in this state, especially after speaking to my mother.  Anyway, he tells me he is going on vacation with his family.

He can only work for me for part of the summer.  Worried, he takes the opportunity to check in on my situation.

“Why are you sleeping in your car?  Are you okay?  Your mother told me you won't take care of the franchise anymore.  Do you need a place to sleep?”

A little shaken but determined to keep going, I come to my senses and reassure him.

“It's just a misunderstanding; my mother is frustrated because she receives all my Student Painters messages.  I will change a couple of things, and everything will be fine. Don't worry, I've got another painter as a backup, so you can go on holiday without worrying.  Enjoy it; family is important!”

Patrick thanks me for understanding, wishes me a good summer, and leaves.  He looks back three times while walking away, puzzled by my situation, and trying to make sense of what had just happened...

Immediately after he leaves, I become angry.  That my mother doesn't believe in me is one thing, but that she refuses to compromise and sabotages my relationships with my employees is another.  What would be her next vindictive action?  Would she talk bad about me to my customers?  The situation cannot go on like this.

I go back into the house with the determination to confront her.  As she is watching the news with a glass of red wine in her hand, it is my turn to go on the offense.

“You've always called me lazy and an unrealistic dreamer. You've always predicted a future filled with failure and disappointment.  You have never hesitated to physically take it out on me with your angry outbursts soaked in rum-and-cokes.  Now, you refuse to support me in my entrepreneurial adventure. You're the unworthy one!”

I catch my breath.  Anger fuels my speech.

“I’ve become the youngest franchisee in the history of Student Painters and have done well so far, despite my mother's sabotage”

Soothed by the hypnotic effect of her wine, she replies calmly.

“You know, come to think of it, I will no longer be legally responsible for you when you turn eighteen.  Until then, if you persist with your two-franc business painting nonsense (Yep, French mother...), you must live elsewhere than in MY house. It's up to you."

I can't believe it.  I must choose between pursuing my entrepreneurial dream or material survival and maternal harmony. It's up to me.  No matter how tricky business is, I prefer to persist in completing my season as a Student Painter.  I want to prove that I am not like my father and that my mother is wrong.  With a little distance and time, she will recognize my talents and my passion as an entrepreneur.

With a heavy heart and fear, I pack my suitcase that night and leave.  I move into a basement room at a friend’s house.  Julie welcomes me with open arms. 

What a relief.