My “One Little Word” for 2013 was TRY so I tried a lot of new things last year One of those new things was listening to business podcasts. I heard this message over and over again: “START BEFORE YOU’RE READY.”
That pretty much goes against my grain. I’m a perfectionist. I like things to be just right. Which often leads to, I just don’t do it because everything’s not right. (Sad, but true.) A few weeks ago I had an experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone and into starting something before I was ready.
One week after quitting my day job I was invited to a flea market. Great news, except the market was scheduled only 10 days after I got the request. My first response was, “There’s no way I can do that. Maybe I’ll just go and check it out then sell at the next one.” I was talking to the Music Man about it on our trip to Solvang (only 7 days before the market). We had a couple of expenses coming up and I made the remark… “Maybe I should do the market next week so I can make some money.” And to my surprise, the Music Man was all for it!
So I sent an email even before I got home and after a whirlwind week we sat up at the Roadside Relics Vintage Market the next Saturday morning.
It was a small market, the first one that Corinna has put on. Even though traffic was slow it was steady all day and we had a great time. I came away with more business that I would have if I stayed home, lots of contacts, a better idea of how to set up a 10’x10’ space on my own, and lots of display ideas to put into practice for my next HUGE show which is NEXT week. Yes, I’ll be at Treasure Island Flea in San Francisco! Then TWO WEEKS after that I’ll be at Roses and Rust up in the Redding area. Even though I’ve been selling online for years, at Antique Alley with my sister for two years, RWAP for three years, and this first vintage market last week, I still don’t feel ready for these shows. Too bad… I’m already signed up and paid so I’m doing them!
Meanwhile I have another friend who is starting a business. She’s been “starting” for about 5 years now. Every time I ask her how it’s going she says, “Oh, I have some designs…”, “I have a photo shoot next month,” “I’m sourcing suppliers”, or “I’m thinking about changing my website name (and there’s actually nothing on her website)”.
Research is important but so is the experience you get from actually doing. No, you won’t be perfect when you start but 3 years from now when you look back you’ll be able to see how much you’ve grown and changed!
Almost like a sign, WHILE I was writing this post I checked my Pinterest account and saw a blog update from The Alison Show. She’s doing a series called “How To Be Awesome” and Part One is actually “Don’t Be Afraid to Get Started.” Watch is and come back and tell me what you need to start doing!
Back to my One Little Word for 2013 (which I’m keeping this year and maybe for the rest of my life) — TRY! Yes, you’re going to make mistakes. Yes, you’re going to be overwhelmed. Yes, you’re not going to be the best, as good as _______, or even as good as you could be or will be in the future. But, remember, Wayne Gretsky’s advice, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
I hope this encourages someone else. If you have a small handmade business let me know. I’ll share what I’m learning as I go!
‘Til the next project,
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
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Deslynn says
I appreciate reading this. Thank you!!
Deborah L Simpson says
Thanks for the pep talk! It is just the advice I needed at this time!