Of These Mountains
New Adventures By Kendall R. Rumsey
As I continued to grow the brand, I found I missed the customers and co-workers more and more, but I also knew I really missed having “the store.” I sat about to find the perfect storefront, one that would be a showcase for the Of These Mountains brand but give me the opportunity to continue with our online sales, festivals and events and growth to other retail outlets. I found that storefront recently in Downtown Clarkesville.
I
was having a conversation with my 26-year-old nephew this past weekend and he told me he didn’t know what he wanted to be when he grew up. I informed him that I was 55 and still didn’t know either. We had a conversation about life goals and career choices, and I related to him conversations that I had with contemporaries. It seems many of us go through life and never know what we really want to be when we grow up. The way I see it, we have a couple of choices, we can find a job that provides stability, or we keep searching, looking to fulfill our passions. I don’t believe either choice is right or wrong, it’s just finding what works for us. I have always led with my heart, I have had amazing jobs and not so great jobs in my lifetime. It just all comes down to what’s right in a particular season of life. This past year was one of major changes for me. I sold a business that met my needs, parts of it I loved, others I didn’t. I struggled with finding a way to get rid of what I didn’t like and keeping what I did. In the end, I sold the business, but kept my passion project, the “Of These Mountains” brand we had created. With this new direction, I was able to put my energy into the creative end of the business without having to worry about the parts I didn’t like. I have been fortunate with the OTM brand, having it carried in a number of stores, working festivals and events and selling online. But as I moved into this new phase, I realized something was missing, the day to day interaction with customers and the people I worked with.
50 - March 2020
With the help of my niece, we found the perfect location, a small 1,200 sq. ft space that I have been able to make into what I want. It’s been fun getting back into a retail space, slap dab in the middle of a vibrant event filled downtown shopping district. We are still pulling everything together, but as the store grows, not only will we feature our Of These Mountains brand of clothing and accessories, but also a select number of locally resourced gifts as well. I’m excited about the store. This new chapter is allowing me to do what I enjoy, like grow the brand while keeping me active in the community and working with customers and vendors. Who knows, maybe at 55 I have finally found what I want to be when I grow up, a career and passion that allows me to be creative, work with the public and continue to thrive with my own entrepreneurial spirit. It’s fun, discovering who and what we should be. You never know. We may never find it, but the journey getting there can be really rewarding when you follow your heart! Y’all make sure and stop by the new Of These Mountains store, located at 1345 Washington Street, Clarkesville. We are across the street from The Attic Restaurant. Come in and check it out and as always, thanks for your support and appreciation for “Of These Mountains.” Kendall Rumsey is a resident of Clayton, Ga. He is owner of the lifestyle brand Of These Mountains and author of the blog, Notes from a Southern Kitchen. www.ofthesemountains.com www.notesfromasouthernkitchen.com
