Someone asked in the "The Pandemic Is Crushing Our Industry" thread how GRM was doing right now, and somehow that question gave me a chance to respond not only with how we were, but also how we feel after seeing the outpouring of support from our GRM community. Here's what I wrote in answer, because although I will never get it right, I also know I'll never get it more right than this:
We're doing okay. I was raised by parents who grew up in the depression, and Tim's mom grew up in E. Germany during WWII, so we are naturally scrimper/savers who have worked hard to pay off all our debts. So we have some room, between owing nobody and our savings. The big wild card is how long, and how deep, the recession gets.
We do qualify for an SBA paycheck protection loan and I have applied, since keeping our peeps employed is our main concern. (And something I intend to do regardless.) Thankfully we have some resources to rely on until that (hopefully) comes through. Our printer is still operating as an essential business. So we are cautiously, um, not optimistic, but let's say nonpessimistic? Using projects, food and alcohol to manage the stress, like everyone else.
What we did not plan on was the outpouring of support, both emotional and financial, from this board. I wake up every morning thinking, "I have to post something to express my thankfulness and appreciation," then I don't because I just don't have the words. And anyone who knows me knows I have a LOT of words. (The best words.) All I can say is that we will work hard to be worthy of it, though I doubt it's possible.
Margie
Yes, thank you, everyone--thanks for the support from the community, our colleagues, our families and friends, the staff and Tim and Margie.
It's humbling.
Words fail me,always, know well that this community y'all have built is a Godsend. Thank you.
Humbling only begins to describe it.
Thank you, everybody.
You do what you can for family, even the internet only, haven't met most in real life type of family.
To all at GRM, you folks do more for me to act as a good diversion from the situation at hand than I can ever explain. The support back to GRM is the very least I can do. Guessing this applies to others here also. Rock on !!!
GRM is a business. GRM is a family business (that's something that means a lot to me). GRM is a magazine (two, actually). GRM is a website. GRM is a facebook page. GRM is a youtube channel. GRM is a forum...
GRM is a family. GRM is a culture. GRM is a role model (as much about how to care for each other as the car hobby). GRM is us.
I won't turn this into a personal discussion about how GRM has affected me; this isn't about me. I will just say that we're not giving, we're giving back.
11GTCS
New Reader
4/11/20 3:59 p.m.
While I’m new here I’ve been reading for quite some time. I couldn’t sign up quickly enough when I read that post and I know I’m not the only one who did so. Many long time members have done much much more as well.
You've created a great community here and we all need to do what’s needed to protect it. I cant say enough how well the members on here treat and care for each other. Corny, yeah sure but I’ve seen it time and time again where people that likely have never met in person go out of their way to reach out to someone when they need encouragement.
I’ll contrast the experience here with what I’m seeing on another forum where I’ve been a long time member. People are eating each other alive on what had always been a non political/common interest focused forum and the moderator is either overwhelmed or has stopped caring. It’s really discouraging to watch, I haven’t posted in a couple of months and lately, I don’t visit at all.
Im sure I’m not alone when I say we’re all excited that we could help in some small way. Thanks for having us to the party, I’m ever so grateful for the opportunity.
Aw, don't make me have to turn this car around and thank you all again.
What I did forget was to thank our staff. They are not only family, they are fine effin' people to have in your foxhole with you. Again, there are no words... so let's drink!
Margie
Words can fail. Can lie. And can fake. So we often hesitate to find right ones to say exactly what we mean. You don't have to say a thing. Families understand.
WWRD,What Would Rodney Do? That's right!
Sorry I haven't been able to help more financially right now but I too have a business with employees that need to be taken care of. It has been totally shut down for weeks now. I will say that I have been a subscriber since the publication was a giant paper rag called AutoX. Not sure when the Suddards took over but I have been a continuous subscriber since the beginning. I have purchased just about everything in your store multiple times over and have attended ( and loved) the GRM Rolex experience for years. Thanks for being there for us and we will continue to be there for you. We will all get through this together.
My time at GRM was as amazing as it was surreal. I will never forget everyone's generosity (and chi buff musings) and am all too happy to help any way I can.
I very thankful for this forum and the magazine over the years. The knowledge and attitude on this forum is so special. Please keep us posted on how we can support.
Also, can you post how we can support the forum here? The other thread is so long, it's a bit intimidating.
I've never met any of the GRM staff, but I like what you all do, and I'm willing to put my money behind it.
The best thanks (for me) is to just keep doing what you're doing, because you're doing it right.
Thank you Margie and the whole GRM family.
In reply to Brett_Murphy (Forum Patrón) :
Yes to all of this. The community here is small but mighty!
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
Excellently said.
Feedyurhed said:
Sorry I haven't been able to help more financially right now but I too have a business with employees that need to be taken care of. It has been totally shut down for weeks now. I will say that I have been a subscriber since the publication was a giant paper rag called AutoX. Not sure when the Suddards took over but I have been a continuous subscriber since the beginning. I have purchased just about everything in your store multiple times over and have attended ( and loved) the GRM Rolex experience for years. Thanks for being there for us and we will continue to be there for you. We will all get through this together.
So the weirdest thing about this? The Suddards didn't take over, it was us from the beginning. We just grew up--and added a second generation of Suddards. Thanks for sticking with us (all).
Margie
Marjorie Suddard said:
Feedyurhed said:
Sorry I haven't been able to help more financially right now but I too have a business with employees that need to be taken care of. It has been totally shut down for weeks now. I will say that I have been a subscriber since the publication was a giant paper rag called AutoX. Not sure when the Suddards took over but I have been a continuous subscriber since the beginning. I have purchased just about everything in your store multiple times over and have attended ( and loved) the GRM Rolex experience for years. Thanks for being there for us and we will continue to be there for you. We will all get through this together.
So the weirdest thing about this? The Suddards didn't take over, it was us from the beginning. We just grew up--and added a second generation of Suddards. Thanks for sticking with us (all).
Margie
That's awesome Margie! I never knew that. I use to read AutoX in the back of the big lecture halls when I was in college in the early 80s. It was so big (size) I would have to set my breif case up on the desk so I could sort of hide behind it. So that puts me as a 40+ year subscriber (approx)! At one time I likely subscribed to ten automotive publications and now I am down to just two. GRM and CM and I love every issue. Thanks again for all the wonderful product you have put out over the years.
Marjorie Suddard said:
Feedyurhed said:
Sorry I haven't been able to help more financially right now but I too have a business with employees that need to be taken care of. It has been totally shut down for weeks now. I will say that I have been a subscriber since the publication was a giant paper rag called AutoX. Not sure when the Suddards took over but I have been a continuous subscriber since the beginning. I have purchased just about everything in your store multiple times over and have attended ( and loved) the GRM Rolex experience for years. Thanks for being there for us and we will continue to be there for you. We will all get through this together.
So the weirdest thing about this? The Suddards didn't take over, it was us from the beginning. We just grew up--and added a second generation of Suddards. Thanks for sticking with us (all).
Margie
This would be the perfect opportunity to repost that picture of you and Tim sitting in the Auto-X trailer, looking as if your are in a high school musical.
ya know... for years I've been a forum member and I felt like I always received more than I gave. The Patreon subscription was a no-brainer for me. I'm only helping in a tiny monetary way, but THANK YOU for keeping the virtual doors open and bringing all of us this wonderful, time-sucking, educational, enlightening publication.
So far (using completely fabricated numbers) we've helped 6143 people change a Miata timing belt, bolstered the automotive economy by encouraging 14,212 people buy that rustbucket project despite logical reasoning, helped save some from depression, saved a marriage or two, and MOST IMPORTANTLY we shared killer recipes and navigated all the "Amys" in life.
That is totally tongue-in-cheek, but with all honesty... you folks at the secret Florida GRM lair have a LOT to be proud of. I'm amazed at how this GRM culture you've created has touched so many lives, and not just with Miatas and recipes.
Much love.
