I met John Butler in 2014 when I was making some renovations to my house. He was a friendly guy who had a highly professional staff of employees and was always kind and respectful towards me. While John was working on my project, though, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

 

Fast-forward a couple of years to when I was ready to make some additional updates to my house. I was fearful of the outcome of John’s cancer diagnosis, so I reached out to my flooring vendor to get an update. My fears were confirmed when my friend Theresa informed me that John had passed away. However, his wife Cathy had taken over the business.

 

I had never met Cathy Butler. Up until that time, there was no reason for me to do so. While John was working on my house, Cathy was working in the hospitality space. However, I immediately made an appointment with her to talk about my project.

 

In walks a spunky woman in her mid-60s. She was tough, but she had great ideas. Do you know what earned her my business? When she said to me “I want to spend your money like I would spend my own.” She knew I was going to be listing my house and that we just needed to get it updated to the point where I could sell it. There was no need for an expensive remodel when the new owners would put their own touches on it, anyway.

 

Cathy finished my bathroom remodel and through that process, I would say we became friends. I tend to form a kindship of sorts with other widowed women. It’s not an overly fun “club” to be in, but Cathy and I have that situation in common, including the fact we were both married to contractors.  Cathy has been fun to get to know and she is so inspiring.

 

When John died, Cathy had no experience in the construction business. In fact, her last day of work before retiring was the day of John’s first chemotherapy treatment. After he died, the business and all of the clients were “dropped in her lap.” There she was, 67 years old and ready to ride off into the sunset with her beloved husband, and now she found herself alone and running a successful business in a space that she knew nothing about.

 

When I asked her how she has been so successful, she called it “a God thing.”

 

Cathy is so inspiring for so many reasons. While this may not have been Cathy’s original “dream,” she is so incredibly talented! She has so many great design ideas and has a flair for doing things on a budget. In addition, I have never heard Cathy complain about her situation or shed a tear. What I have seen is someone passionate about carrying on her husband’s legacy.

 

Cathy has shown me—and continues to show everyone—that is never too late to chase your dreams.

 

What is it that you have always wanted to do that perhaps the negativity of those around you has kept you from truly pursuing?

 

What is it that you are passionate about that would create income, but not be considered a “job”?

 

OR, much like Cathy, do you have a hidden talent that might be uncovered because of a tough situation that you are enduring?

 

I have three words for you: “Go for it!”

 

Because it is never too late to chase your dreams.