Emily Amadon, my business partner with Snack Lab, and I would always joke that when we no longer owned Snack Lab, we would write a book about some of the crazy and ridiculous things that happened during our ownership. I think we were both kidding at the time, but as our journey with the restaurant/store neared its end, I began to seriously consider the idea. I love to write, and the process has been incredibly cathartic for me. Whenever I start a project—any project—it has to have meaning, purpose, and a positive impact on others. This book had to fit those criteria. As it turns out, Emily even helped me write one of the chapters, so I guess we were right all along about writing that book!

I have always believed that if you want to learn and grow, you need to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. I have spent most of my life doing just that, and through that process, I have gained invaluable lessons that have carried me through all phases of life.

Lucky 13: Life Lessons Learned the Hard Way is a motivational and, hopefully, inspirational work that explores significant life lessons through personal stories, biblical references, and practical reflections.

The book is structured around thirteen key principles, each accompanied by reflective prompts in the "Food for Thought" sections. As you will hear later, the number 13 has held special significance in my life, making it a fitting theme for this book.

The narrative is filled with stories from various aspects of my life, offering listeners a blend of personal insights and universal truths. Each chapter also includes verses from God’s Word to reflect on. This book is meant to serve as inspiration for individuals, families, book clubs, Bible study groups, and Sunday school classes.

My hope is that you will find wisdom in these life principles—something meaningful that you can apply to your own life. Thank you for joining me on this journey as I share my life lessons with you.