Blogging is tough. I think who wants to read this anyway ? In mean,maybe I' m not really ready to expose myself that much. But for over 2 years I have been turning my artistic talents into a business. I am doing this on a wing and a prayer. I often wonder if it is working. At times it is discouraging, but I continue to forge ahead, sometimes rather unconventionally. I make my own rules, but follow guidelines of building strong relationships with my vendors and being persistent. I design hats and handbags and teach; sometimes my own lessons and sometimes filling in for teachers while they are gone from the classroom. I am trying to fabricate enough money making adventures to keep afloat financially.
There is a lot of trail and error. Mind you I have specific goals each time, but... Lately the universe has been providing me with enough incentive to keep going. I truly mean being flexible and open to what could happen. Much of my time is spent following up with potential contacts around concepts I hope might work.
Examples are as follows: I have spent several weeks discussing price and time with a woman wanting sewing classes for her daughter
and her 3 friends. For months I have been trying to get in touch with another business woman with a concept I have for her summer camp. We have basically played email tag and she has seemingly evaded me. Yet I persist.
At a shop I sell to I discovered the owner still had 6 pieces from one style that had sold out at another shop.
I offered to credit him if I could buy back those hats, thus ensuring he would order from me at a later date. And providing immediate delivery to the other shop with hats they want to sell
Unconventional, yes but viable.
Round and round trying to stay flexible, open, persistent, and meet the needs of my business.
And then the most amazing day happens.
The phone rings and on the other line is the confirmation for 4 students to take sewing classes! My first 4 students will be coming to learn in less than 1 month. Success-that plan worked.
Now to show handbag designs to a bank president for an auction we are participating in. She is there and thankfully chooses the design I like best; that makes it easier for me to construct.
Next to pick up product from one shop and drop it off at another shop across town. This business has been a bit flaky and frustrates me , but I continue to work with them because they have PR clout with some big magazines. I need that presence as I build my image. The man working that day is the someone new...again. I decide to engage in a conversation to see what he's all about. As we are talking, in walks the business woman I have been playing email tag with, the one I thought was evading me! She immediately address me with, "Are you the person that wants to help with my camp? I need a director!
We must talk." So we do.
As I leave the shop I am walking on air. I am in love with being an entrepreneur ! I have restored faith and commitment. My talent, hard work, trail and error is beginning to pay off. In one day, I secured 4 new students to teach, created a business concept trading out product, designed a handbag some one liked, the first time, and stated a dialogue about a 5 month project providing me paid work. The universe has room for me. I remind myself to stay flexible as though I am living my life on the bias.
Oh yea!
There is a lot of trail and error. Mind you I have specific goals each time, but... Lately the universe has been providing me with enough incentive to keep going. I truly mean being flexible and open to what could happen. Much of my time is spent following up with potential contacts around concepts I hope might work.
Examples are as follows: I have spent several weeks discussing price and time with a woman wanting sewing classes for her daughter
and her 3 friends. For months I have been trying to get in touch with another business woman with a concept I have for her summer camp. We have basically played email tag and she has seemingly evaded me. Yet I persist.
At a shop I sell to I discovered the owner still had 6 pieces from one style that had sold out at another shop.
I offered to credit him if I could buy back those hats, thus ensuring he would order from me at a later date. And providing immediate delivery to the other shop with hats they want to sell
Unconventional, yes but viable.
Round and round trying to stay flexible, open, persistent, and meet the needs of my business.
And then the most amazing day happens.
The phone rings and on the other line is the confirmation for 4 students to take sewing classes! My first 4 students will be coming to learn in less than 1 month. Success-that plan worked.
Now to show handbag designs to a bank president for an auction we are participating in. She is there and thankfully chooses the design I like best; that makes it easier for me to construct.
Next to pick up product from one shop and drop it off at another shop across town. This business has been a bit flaky and frustrates me , but I continue to work with them because they have PR clout with some big magazines. I need that presence as I build my image. The man working that day is the someone new...again. I decide to engage in a conversation to see what he's all about. As we are talking, in walks the business woman I have been playing email tag with, the one I thought was evading me! She immediately address me with, "Are you the person that wants to help with my camp? I need a director!
We must talk." So we do.
As I leave the shop I am walking on air. I am in love with being an entrepreneur ! I have restored faith and commitment. My talent, hard work, trail and error is beginning to pay off. In one day, I secured 4 new students to teach, created a business concept trading out product, designed a handbag some one liked, the first time, and stated a dialogue about a 5 month project providing me paid work. The universe has room for me. I remind myself to stay flexible as though I am living my life on the bias.
Oh yea!
No comments:
Post a Comment