Reflections on Starting a Business and Setting Goals

Somehow I find myself caught up in all of the normal things that go on at this time of year. I cleaned and organized my studio, set up some new organization systems and am even considering how I might manage to lose 10 pounds. Hmmm...I guess all of the excesses of the Christmas Season make us long for the other side of the pendulum...

I also find myself avidly reading several books about life/running a business including Allison Stanfield's "I'd rather be in the studio". Great book! She breaks out tasks for marketing yourself and describes them in manageable chunks. The first task, which she describes as non negotiable is to define success for yourself and write it down. She has some wonderful free downloads on her website which is www.IdRatherBeintheStudio.com.

Here's what I think about this whole process: after many years of working at creating a business for myself, I think you need to capture the following ingredients 1) Find the passion inside of you -- we all have it but sometimes (most of the time) it has gotten buried. 2) Let yourself believe that you can have this dream (this is KEY!!!). 3) Write down some specific goals about this dream, things like monetary goals, production goals -- I do believe there is magic in writing things down.

4) Do something every day to work towards your goals.

No doubt I have never worked as hard as I have for the last 2 years, but I feel passionate about what I am doing. I love playing with fabrics and ideas and I love seeing smiling faces leave my classrooms. Slowly I am starting to find success. It has not been easy but I am hear to tell you it is possible!

Happy New Year! Write me if you'd like to discuss any of this further!