Last evening a most wonderful memorial to the memory of Albert Hadley was hosted by a devoted group of people he spent a life teaching.  Mr. Hadleys DON’T FORGET pads were scattered all round and brought smiles to so many friends.   The room was multi-generational and multi talented.  The guests included designers, writers on design and clients.  Each one with a charming story to tell.  Bunny WIlliams and Brian McCarthy both spoke to us about their lives being forever changed by his ever gracious ability to instruct.
The history of J. Pocker goes all the way back to Mrs Parrish and then Parrish-Hadley.  When I was a young girl, when Mrs. Parrish’s car would pull up to the front door of the store, I would be terrified I would be the one to have to help her.    So often I was the one to help her and it was good training for me to listen and learn.  Three generations later my staff all adored Mr. Hadley, as did all of our city.

As a third generation family business owner, one has to simultaneously look backward and forward.  On the backward glance is easier to feel secure in your affections for the old day and ways of business. Now business has a new tag line Change- Deal with it.   That was the title of a three day conference I attended last week in Atlanta.  Sponsored by the Women Presidents Organization, 750 successful women business owners worked hard at listening and learning from seasoned professionals in world of marketing, management and entrepreneurship.  I returned to my business energized by Jim Collins author Good To Great and Marilynn Mobley  senior VP at Edelman.   Gina Davis spoke about her foundation which raises funds to explore why women are so under represented in the American media.  That was a fascination conversation. Her website is worth looking at for an eye opening view of what our young children are seeing every day.

If you are reading my blog and are a women owned business, lets talk about that and exchange some ideas and reading material.  Its a great way to get to know each other.

Award dinner for the 50 Fastest Growing Women Owned Companies was held at the Atlanta aquarium.

Did you realize that Monday was May Day, not 5/1/12 but May 1st?   As long as I can remember my mom and I had exchanged May Baskets.  Not just a vase of flowers. It has to absolutely burst spring.

Ribbons counted in the design as well.  No bell was rung upon delivery, just a surprise when the recipient opened the door in the morning.  Yes, a surprise, every May Day. Year after year.

This year was my first May Day without my much adored mother. It could make a girl sad all day.  But no, I decided the tradition must live on and so I sent two baskets.  Explaining to these friends the meaningful tradition in my family history.   Within  hours the spring bounty was returned and my little office is in full and resplendent bloom. Lillac, tiny white tulips, Lilly of the valley ( a very traditional May Day flower) and peonies, so many peonies.

The baskets go to those your truly love.  One was an old friend and one a new ( but who tells me she loves me almost much as my mom did).  So if you are enjoying reading this note then mark down for next year, and think of me and my mom.

Rebbecca from our D&D location is setting up for the Housing Works auction event. She shared some photos of the designers hard at work installing their rooms. See them in action, and don’t miss this event!