bon voyage, 2019.

I want to begin this one with a question, if you guys don't mind: How do you measure your year-end success? Are we talking revenue growth? Networth? Likes and shares? Human connection? Economic impact?

These things take a slot on the priority list in a small business, sure. They're good things to take into account, no lie about that. But here's where we're at. I would be lying if I said 2019 wasn't just an all-around wEiRd year for all of us. Between a new store-front in Harrisburg, taking on a new project with Hot Wired, to completely diving in head-first into our new Print Shop, and now the E.T. fam is expecting a perfect baby boy in January - we are so stoked about that one, we can hardly sit still.

Having your hands in multiple small businesses in NEA is a massive hat to wear. But I think I speak for everyone involved when I say, there's no one we would rather gather behind during the storms and quakes of this business. Ralph Emerson once said, "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail." Rich, unknowingly went off the path when he opened Emerald's Triangle in Brookland. And he shamelessly invited us to follow, and join him in leaving that trail behind us.

And here we are, so privileged. Dude... it's been a ride.

A rough one at times - from all of our own personal messes to just the day-to-day of retail & manufacturing struggles. But man, has it been worth it. I personally can not foresee a day when it isn't worth it for us.

No matter what obstacles meet us at the door each day, I believe our community provides us, endlessly, with the opportunity and privilege to serve it. The impact within the walls of these shops is much too great for me to even begin to put into words. One day, it may be a desperate Momma who wants migraine relief for her 11-year-old son, because no child should have to endure that kind of pain and she's tried everything else under the sun.

The next, it may be a college student with crippling anxiety and she has presentations the following week.

And then there are days like today, when a young man steps through the threshold to share his father's diagnosis with pancreatic cancer that has metastasized to the liver.

If the very least we can do is make someone feel better or improve the quality of life for the healthy person, or the person with cancer, nothing else matters.

If the need is met, and exceeded, that is where we rest our worth.

How does Emerald's Triangle LLC. gauge it's success? Lives changed, milestones met and toppled over, connections formed, positive impact, soulful conversation, challenges overcame.

Our hope is that you launch your 2020 with an attitude of confidence, kindness, gratitude, and most importantly, full of hope. Look around us! There is so much more positive change than what is being shared or reported. For crying out loud, cannabis could be legal on a federal level soon!!! And in ARKANSAS, at that... that's big, pal. We have made leaps and bounds beyond so many struggles as a nation, and simply as human beings all together. That's where I'm personally resting my laurels; improvement, hope, and pressing forward with so much grit and resilience, that I'm unrecognizable.

Our wish is that you chase so relentlessly after your goals and dreams.That you look for every opportunity in the mundane day-to-day life to bless others. I promise it will light your soul on fire and fuel you to press on to the next day.

We understand how daunting a new year can seem sometimes - a new set of goals, a new mountain of possibilities that could be for better or for worse. But we assure you, YOU GOT THIS. No matter what comes, it will also GO - so learn from the dark moments and relish in the bright ones.

After all, "There are far greater things ahead than any that we leave behind." - C.S. Lewis.

Godspeed, NEA.

Let's make it count.

- Emerald's Triangle LLC.