Editing The Pen Addict 661/transcript (section)

== Challenges of Modernizing Farnie's Pens ==

* It's yeah, no, there's a lot of, you know, old school and antiquated processes and technology and mentality. And that has been a struggle. It really has. But, you know, it's, this is, this is why I'm here. This is why we are the next custodians of the company is to take what has brought it this far, continue doing all the right things, all the things that it does well, and all the reasons why folks have continued to support the company for, you know, nearly a century and then build upon that. So yeah, the, the fax machine is not going to be a part of Barney's success strategy going forward. Oh, that's amazing. Um, yeah, I, I am excited. I know you're excited. I know you're, you know, very, I know this is going to be fantastic. Like, uh, no, no pressure at all, but like, I mean, it's a, it's a tall order. I mean, it's like, it's like, you know, buying a house, getting excited about, you know, painting and doing the floors and then realizing that, Oh wait, no, the inspector tells you that there's a crack in the foundation. You're like, ah, yeah. Yeah. So there's a lot that needs to be done before the fun stuff, the decorative stuff can happen, but you can't, you know, there's no point in painting a house with a cracked foundation. So right now we're very much in, let's make sure that the foundation is fine. We're digging in, we're finding more things like, Oh God, is this termite damage? Yeah. Oh crap. All right. Hang on. We don't even worry about the paint yet. Let's, let's, we got to replace this beam. So we're really, we're, we're at that stage and it's, it's not the fun part, unfortunately, but we'll get there. And I'm committed to making sure that I'm not, you know, uh, putting anybody in a position to, uh, yeah, I just, I want, I want everything to work. Yeah. And that, that, that's the first and foremost goal that we need to make this place industry standard and then we can start to say, okay, well, what can we do that's extra? Yeah. Yeah. I love that. So, uh, on, on a personal note, how is it working, you know, for you and the family, like a new work schedule? How, how is life like with this new job these days, you know, uh, commuting, I guess some and, and trying to like managing construction and trying to figure out, you know, how all that's working. How is just like your, your daily work life going for you? Uh, if I did not have such a delightful home life, it would be difficult. Um, and it has, it has been difficult. Like I don't get home, you know, until sometimes right before my son goes to bed and sometimes I miss dinner and, uh, my commute's two hours. I I'm two hours on the train, but I do get to work on during that two hours. So I've got my laptop. I can answer emails, you know, provided that my hotspot or the Amtrak wifi holds out for me so I can get some stuff done. So, um, but it is a lot, you know, I do have to worry about train schedules and Uber rides and Metro rides. So it's, it's very, it is a new element of stress and anxiety that I'm not used to, but luckily I can manage that pretty well. And my, my family situation is just delightful. And my wife's incredibly wonderful and supportive and perfect in every way, honestly. But, um, it has been definitely a new wrinkle and definitely a new challenge, but we understood early on that the first year was going to require some sacrifice and I, you know, I'm up for it. And so is she. And we realized that long-term, this is going to be something special and something that we can both be proud of and something that's going to be worth the sacrifice. Yeah. Have you allowed yourself to think long-term? Like, have you allowed yourself to dream? Even though it's been like so hectic right now, I can't even imagine. I have to. If I don't, don't allow myself to dream, then I'm just going to be mired in the difficulties of the day. And, uh, that's not, uh, you know, the difficulties of the day become worth it when you can focus on the, you know, bright future that you have to believe you're working toward. Yep. Well, I can't imagine ending it on a better note than that. I'm gonna let you go spend some time with your wonderful family, your doggos. Are the doggos handling transition well? They're good, right? Oh my God. I get a text almost every day around, you know, five of my wife just telling me how bad my dogs are. Because when they're driving her insane, they're all mine. Exactly. Despite the fact that she got all three. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. But no, they're just the same old barky hairballs. Yep. Gotta love them. Gotta love them. I do. Love them to death. Well, we love you to death. Drew Brown, president of Farney's Pens.
* I'm on the pen addict.
* I'm so excited. Well, hopefully this is not the last time, you know. There's a lot of changes and I'll love to talk about it. You know, hopefully I will visit up there once everything is, you know, in the new place. Yeah, give me some time. Oh gosh, yeah. I'm in no rush, believe me. I've been gone for, as we record this, I'll be gone. I've been gone for two weeks and I'm leaving again for a third week. So yeah, I'm good on the travel for a while. So yeah, I think that once the DC show rolls around, the goal is for everybody who goes to the DC show to feel compelled to check out Farney's. Like I want it to be a just must stop destination. If you're in the false church Marriott, you know, gotta go by DC and check out Farney's. So that's the goal. Please do. And I will have all the links in the show notes for everything Drew is up to. All the Farney's links that we talked about, all the YouTube links that we talked about, all of that will be in the show notes. I want to give a special thanks to our sponsors of this week's episode, Enigma Stationery, Kenro Industries in Estabrook, and Factor. Drew, thank you so much for being here. Thank you so much for allowing me this opportunity. I am stoked to be a part of the only pen podcast ever mentioned by the office ladies.
* Oh gosh, I love it. I love it. I will never let that one go. Nor should you. One of my favorites, especially when I get people will randomly mention that to me from time to time. It's great. It's great. Oh, heck yeah, man. Yep. All right. Feather in your cap. We'll take it. We'll take it. That's a wrap. And we'll be back next week. I am not sure who will be on the podcast next week, Drew. We might see the return of the boss next week, Myke Hurley. But to be determined, to be determined, we're about that time. So I appreciate all my guests that have been hanging out and keeping me company and keeping us all informed and interested in this awesome hobby. That's a wrap on this episode. Until next time, say goodbye, Drew. Bye, Drew. Bye, Drew. Bye, Drew. Bye, Drew. Bye, Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher Sicher

[[Category:Podcast Transcripts]]
[[Category:The Pen Addict Podcast Transcript]]