Oregon Public Broadcasting

The end of the year tends to put us all in an introspective mood.

Angie Blackwell: “How has the past year changed me? One of the main changes I think is I’ve really come to appreciate and enjoy the things that money doesn’t buy – since I don’t have any, it’s a good thing!”

That’s Angie Blackwell of McMinnville.  We’ve been following her for our “Hard Times” series. She’s always been adept at juggling her career, marriage, and four kids.

The downturn is challenging her in ways she hadn’t anticipated.  As April Baer reports, when we first met Blackwell in June, she was networking the contacts she made in the philanthropic world.

Angie Blackwell’s a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. During the 90s, she ran the Spirit Mountain Foundation for a few years, and subsequently became a tribal council member.

Her introduction to hard times came when she lost a tribal election, and found herself trying to start a new business at the age of 42. Part of that job is selling herself.

Angie Blackwell (speaking to a group):  “First of all thank you all for being here this evening....”

Blackwell made a pitch for an advocacy group to a roomful of influential women.

Angie Blackwell (to audience): “...I believe that really epitomizes what we’re doing here today. We know women as the nurturers of children and families. We’ve invited you here today to talk about the Children First Women’s Network for Change....”

Beyond the pitch, it was a chance to get her face in front of dozens of potential contacts. She hoped they could help her get contracts in her new vocation.

She decided to become a life coach for blended families, calling on her experience as mother, step-mother, and counselor.  As the summer went on, she found getting individual clients tougher than she thought. So in September, Angie thought bigger.

Angie Blackwell  “I’ve been reaching out to community colleges, and to the county extension – places that parents might already turn to for support. I’m hoping to work with some of the area churches. I’ve only reached out here in McMinnville so far.”

But by October, after months of meetings, she hadn’t been able to build up a customer base. Fortunately, her husband Darren’s work as a land surveyor held steady. But Angie still needed to start applying for office jobs – hard to come by in the slumping economy.

And at about that same time, Angie sat across the table from a trusted family friend in real estate, and talked about selling the house.

Angie Blackwell “The total payment is $1565. So we could rent for...."

Joyce Lundeen “I wished I had that one!” (everybody laughs) It’s difficult when you start with one income, then all of a sudden.... It makes a big difference.”

For a while, it seemed she might qualify for a refinancing. But that never materialized, so in December, Angie and Darren decided to put the house on the market.

Angie Blackwell “We believe we have a really competitive asking price, especially for the square footage. (voice goes commercial) It’s a bargain! In McMinnville! But the more I learn about staging the house and getting it ready for selling, the more I love it and I just want to stay!”

They’ve been in this house for nearly ten years. They’ve listed it for $259,000.  That’s substantially more than what they paid for it, but there’s no guarantee it’s the price they’ll get. 

When both Angie and Darren were working, meeting the mortgage payment was never a problem. But now, they just don’t have enough to cover the house payment and their other bills.

When she’s not working on the house, Blackwell is still pounding the pavement in search of new contacts for her consulting. She hasn’t been able to drum up a single contract. But she isn’t giving up. At this professional women’s dinner, she’s chatting up some other entrepreneurs.

Angie Blackwell  “I’m Angie, nice to meet you!”

Jamie Teasdale “Nice to meet you!”

Angie Blackwell says it’s not easy to stay motivated, when there are bills coming in the door every day, and the house on the market. For her, it’s a fine line between facing reality, remaining optimistic.

Angie Blackwell   “Sometimes that’s all you have! I haven’t always been so positive about things. But I think there’s no other way to be. Regardless, I’d still be in this same financial position, whether I was maintaining my hope, or sitting down with my head hung low. So I might as well keep my chin up.”