Dream, Believe, Achieve - it really works!

Okay, so I started Zoe Foods because I wanted to produce all natural foods that could make a difference in people's lives. (the dream) Sounds great - but clearly, I had no idea as to some of the crazy adventures I'd encounter along the way. After many years of travel for work, this was a new one…

All excited, flying to Fayetteville, Arkansas for a minority and women-owned vendor’s fair to pitch Sam’s Clubs! I know that when traveling in the state of Maine people say “you can’t get there from here,” but I didn’t know that was relevant in traveling from beantown to the land of Sam Walton.

Feeling pretty good because my first flight arrived in Charlotte on time and I was 20 minutes from landing in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Suddenly… thunderstorms and insufficient fuel to circle Fayetteville until the storm passes - plane diverted to Little Rock. We're told we will refuel and try again - delay waiting for gate and fuel. An hour after we should have landed in Fayetteville, we finally pull up to the gate and fuel truck. New plan – all passengers can deplane and take a bus from Little Rock to Fayetteville – only a 30 minute flight, but a 3 hour bus ride! No worries, the bus will pick us up in 45 mins outside of baggage claim. Not the end of the world – should still get into Fayetteville in time for a good night’s sleep before the big meeting – say 9:30pm.
All off, collect luggage, and wait for the bus. 75 mins later - no bus. The passengers have begun to bond. Someone finds the bus waiting in a completely wrong part of the airport. Load luggage, get on bus. Bus driver uses toilet (another 5 mins delay – ugh – he’s had 75 mins – clearly my NY upbringing and impatience start to surface). Now we find that the driver doesn't know how to get to Fayetteville. Local passenger to the rescue – sits in front and guides driver.

20 mins out, A/C on bus conchs out. I'm thinking - thank goodness, it was way too cold. Then there's a rumor that the bus is going back to be switched out because it's not working correctly. No one believes nasty rumor until we notice a sign pointing to Little Rock airport, and then suddenly we're in the sticks.Turns out - we're heading to the "bus barn". All off, unload luggage.General confusion as to which bus to get on next. Then we see one with an engine running, so the crowd of lemmings migrates over. Luggage on, lemmings on.Off we go. Arrive at Fayetteville airport only 6 hours late! The good news, the hotel shuttle seems to be in good working order and 9 weary passengers board. Silence. Arrive at hotel, 9 tired compatriots and no rooms except for 2 available at the Sleep Inn next door. Draw straws. 7 unlucky passengers load back on to the shuttle for another 5 mins drive.

Almost 12 hours of travel from Boston to Arkansas for a 15 minute meeting that will be over in less than 12 hours from now. If the meeting results in new business from Sam's Club, I'll make the trip again next week! (Believe)

(p.s. received a verbal commitment to launch Zoe’s Honey Almond Granola in the Northeast – excellent start and worth the trip – now we just need to make it happen!) (Achieve)