The American Dream

'Okay, lets try and tell you what we have done since leaving London Road, Kettering. After searching the country from the Isle of Wight to Yorkshire and from the east coast to the west coast, we finally bought a run down Fish Shop in Fleetwood, and I mean run down. We spent nearly as much again doing it up as we did buying it. Then we had to get rid of the drunks and druggies that used it. We opened up in May 1998 and by the second week we thought we had made a big mistake but we had no choice but to continue as we had put all our money into the project. We hated every moment being there and we were working 12 hours each day, 7 days every week. 

By October 1998 we had won the title of Best Fish & Chip Shop in the North of England and what better way to celebrate but to take ourselves off to Florida to GET MARRIED!

 When we returned back to the UK from our American Honeymoon we had to go straight down to London for the National Finals where we achieved the acclaimed distinction of second place losing out to a shop in Scotland. 

After this achievement in our business career our Fleetwood shop really went into overdrive and after two years we sold the business and kept the property earning us a good regular income. 

Together my wife Shirley and I spent the best part of the following four months decorating and repairing our house in Hazel Road Kettering. While we were doing this we were also on the lookout for another run down Fish Shop but this time trying hard to avoid Seaside towns & Fishing Ports. Best laid plans and all of that because where do you think we finished up? In Lowestoft!! 

We spent the following two years re-decorating and re-fitting the Fish Shop which became yet another period of Hell for Shirley and I until we finally sold the business but kept the property again. This was another huge step for us both in achieving our objective to eventually move and live in Florida USA. 

By now we had completely 'burnt ourselves out' and all we could think about was the attractive Florida sun. So we moved back to our house in Hazel Road Kettering and for the following year we finished off the long overdue decorating. Disposable income was beginning to get a bit low and we needed to boost our finances. Then the old feelings started to return and it did not take long before we were once again searching the country for a suitable shop to buy. Eventually we found what we were looking for in Long Sutton.  

Made an offer—Offer accepted—Got gazumped—Business became available again—Made another offer—Did a great deal

 Word then spread locally about our intention to open up the shop as a High Class Fish & Chip Shop and with our past reputation and record, other businesses started to get a little nervous. It did not take very long at all before we were made an offer we could not refuse and we sold the Lease the very day we obtained it and walked away from the business with a very broad smiles on our faces. 

Florida here we come! 

Sorting out the restrictions of entry to live in the States is a bit of a minefield and we were a little subdued when we found out that the maximum time we could spent in the States each year was just 6 months.         Undeterred we searched for a business to buy and after several visits we eventually found a Company that manufactured and marketed Window Blinds. Not exactly the type of business that we had been used to but one that we considered we could work at and plough more of our energy into and before we knew it we were back to work looking after the interests of sales people, installers, manufacturers and a secretary.

Both Shirley and I are blissfully happy here in Florida having achieved our main objective. We  are working hard, but not quite as hard as we did working in the UK. So, most of the time, so long as I am not too far away from the Store, we spend lazing by the pool or playing golf in the sunshine.

None of this could have been achieved without the help and total support of my wife Shirley. She has been with me 100% of the way. Although I never did achieve loads of academic qualifications during my time at St Michael's School, at least I am able to look back and be thankful for the fact that I was educated to a high standard learning the art of logic, common sense and the ability to create self confidence in myself and the objectives I set.

Mike Smith

P.S.
My wife and I would like to extend a warm invitation to all OM's who live in the Florida area or who are visiting the Florida area to contact us. We would love to see any OM's but we would suggest you make contact with us first via our e-mail address: grumpsusa@yahoo.com