ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Many people have touched our lives and helped us grow in knowledge and spirit along the way. Some are close friends, others just passed through our lives leaving a significant impression behind.
Some of these people have been specifically helpful to this project, and we wish to thank them here.
We both would like to thank our husbands, Drew Vactor and Gary Peterson. Drew’s business insights and editing help were invaluable in the final stage of the project. His willingness to put off work on his own book allowed us the time we needed to finish ours. Gary’s flexibility makes a writer’s life possible. And his suggestions for the source of the title were, if not plausible, at least a source of much-needed comic relief. Their patience, good humor, and support made it possible for us to complete this book.
We appreciate the support and encouragement we received from Hanshi George Anderson, Shihan Johnny Linebarger, Shihan Patrick Hickey, Shihan Pam Hickey, Sensei Lend McCaster, Sensei Thomas Linebarger, Sr., Sensei Melvin Dilts, and Sensei Judith Robinson.
Karen especially wants to thank her father, Sam Levitz, pioneer of the warehouse-showroom style of selling furniture, who introduced her to the wonderful world of retail at a young age. He taught her patiently and well, generously sharing his insight along with his fatherly wisdom. A warm thank you to her mother, Lee Levitz, who instilled in her a sense of wonder and adventurism that guides her daily, and who taught her to always believe in herself.
Susan especially wants to thank the writers of the CompuServe Writers Forum. Their insights on everything from semicolons to publishing contracts, book titles to creative health have been invaluable. She also wants to thank her parents, Donald and Shirley Johnson, for their continued support.
Our thanks also to:
Bette Martin, our photographer and good friend. Donald C. Brandenburgh, our literary agent. Charlotte Wood, owner of Talking Book World, Tucson, for her insights into the SBA loan process. Melinda Williams for her insights into balance sheets and accounting. Dayna Macy of Nolo Press, and Ardella Ramey of Oasis Press, who provided research materials.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
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