2/11/2026

Finding A Way

You never really know if people will like what you like.

That's the gamble with running a business.

Especially one like Mint.

I don't think we really approach this business like the other manufacturers or retailers.

Most of the succesful retailers cut their teeth by focusing on one brand and branching out.

Some were built via social media first.

Most manufacturers our size will outsource their distribution and events.

Most manufacturers don't have a store you can shop 24/7.

Most retailers and manufacturers focus on national marketing because their home region isn't Austin.

Most manufacturers I've met have an outside investor you never know about.

So I stepped into 2026 convinced we've done things the hard way.

Trust me, I understand that some of that "hard" mentality is just how I have to be to as a business owner.

It's no different than being a 1000 rated player. 

Self Motivation is a powerful drug.

It got too hard for me for a while.

Work became work. It wasn't fun.

Self Motivation tank was empty.

I still remember the moment Des looked me in the eyes and called me out on that.

She nailed it.

Last year was about finding a way to make it fun while still respecting the job.

I now look at 2026 as the first time we are fully focused on just Mint.

Before covid, we had full time jobs.

During covid, I took over HOTT.

After covid we built Sprinkle and hosted a Major.

My job has never been just Mint until right now.

I never allowed it to be. Always was focused on growing Mint these other ways.

I am no longer building a course, although we'll have some new tweaks coming by May out there.

I don't have a Major to run, nor do I care to run one again for a while. At least with me in charge. I'll support one, but I'm already busy with a lot of Mint, club and event stuff.

I am not running as many events as the lead TD. Goose Promotions, Efrain and a handful of others are taking up more of that role.

I used to wake up obsessed with those things. 

I never understood how much of that took from my ability to do Mint.

Now we get to make Mint the best it can be.

I want Year 10 to have the same excitement as Year 1 did for us.

I am finding a way to have fun again.

Hopefully you see that with Mint over the next couple of years.

We have all these pieces in place.

Mint, HOTT, Team Mint, Serial # system, MVP & Prodigy, Sprinkle Valley Course, Sprinkle Valley Store, and Whatnot.

Big event wise - DGPT and NADGT come at Sprinkle.

That's a lot to leverage.

That's what we've been building as a part of Mint.

It's time to do all the stuff that makes those things better. One focus at a time though. No more new things.

Making all of these things the best they can be.

Self Motivation is a powerful drug.