Problems and Sucesses

I was going to go into all the problems that have come up but decided it would be better to keep it a little closer to the vest. Let's just say that there have been many, MANY obstacles to overcome. When you are dealing with different companies and different personalities there will be issues. When you are ordering stuff online it can and will show up different than expected. Calls will not be returned, e-mails will be "lost", order counts will be off, promises will be broken...that is just the way of it. If y0u want to start a business, you have to know that it will not be smooth sailing.

My 'business consultant' told me right up front that there will be lots of obstacles to overcome and to be ready for them. The warning was well timed because if I hadn't have been prepared, I may have quit. There is a lot of fear when starting a new business and anytime something went wrong I just wanted to run away. But I remembered that it is the strong people who succeed, not the quitters so I kept plugging along.

So glad I did. It was always so amazing to me that when things were at their worst, something else would come along that was excellent news. When one thing didn't work out, another would. When one person fell through on me, another person would come through. And, I was and am always so blessed to have wonderful friends and family in my life to encourage and inspire me. Words of encouragement and inspiration can go a long way so surround yourself with positive people and stay away from negative people. Attitude can have a profound impact on how successful you become.

Some of my high moments these first few months were:

• Getting accepted to several very amazing boutique shows in the area
• Having my product recognized and applauded by great people in the boutique arena
• Being found by The Savvy Socialista and her taking my product on Sonoran Living (a local morning television program)
• Having friends sell my product to other friends
• Having a repeat customer from Missouri
• Seeing smiles when people first put on my scarves
• Winning best booth at the Oasis Gift Show (more to come on that)
• Meeting fabulous vendors and buyers who are all so encouraging
  
• Being complimented on my overall look--from photos to business cards (Thanks friends and family!)
• Seeing tons of beautiful product all over my home and having wonderful family help me to assemble (made me happy seeing all those curly q's!)

Those are just some off the top of my head. It has been a whirlwind adventure these last few months and I'm looking forward to an amazing future.