This is the beginning of a big week for me.
In two days I'm heading off to quilt market with my first line of fabric finished and available for pre-sale.
I have a fabric line.
It's taken me these last few weeks, since my trip to New York when the final designs really came together, for this new stage of my business and creative expression to sink in.
Ever since the reality of this new venture has set in, I've been thinking so much about what it means to have a growing business. Let's be honest, over the last five years I've also been thinking about what it means to stay in business.
Launching a business is very different from expanding one.
What've I've found is that there is a whole lot of information about finding your path, following your dreams, and starting a business but what about keeping your dream alive and keeping your business going. It's an amazing ride and it's a challenging ride. I don't find enough of us talking honestly about the challenges. Oh, privately among dinner conversations maybe but not publicly.
Once we've reached a certain level of exposure, success and brand awareness the last thing we want to do is start talking about what's not working. We want to put our best foot forward and share the good news ~ completely understandable and as it should be.
However, I'm not only and artist and a business owner, I'm a teacher. As a teacher I want to help others. This means that I want to be honest about the challenges I've faced and share what I've learned over the last five years in particular. I want to talk about what it means to be a successful business beyond the two year mark.
All of us creatives in business for ourselves - this is a huge accomplishment, and it's a BIG effing DEAL to make it beyond two years {especially the past two years}
Somehow I thought that once I started a business, the rest would figure it self out and fall into place. In many ways it has. And in many ways I've been flying by the seat of my pants. I realize now more than ever how important it is to not only stay afloat but know where I'm going and why I'm going there. I also know how important it is to keep learning. And support is key. Getting and giving the support we need to to keep ourselves and our businesses balanced and thriving.
I'm ready to share more of what I know in a follow up to 'In the Fish Bowl' called 'From the Fish Bowl to the Sea'.
Want to come swimming? Ready to take your creative business to the next level ~ We are heading out to the sea now.
{starting May 26 - click here to learn more + register}
