my attitude adjustment has worked wonders
March 20th, 2009
I’ve been working my fingers to the bone. My dialing fingers that is - and it’s paying off! We’ve picked up great new accounts this week and I’ve made a ton of new connections.
We have finally honed our product line down to the four collections that consistently sell great for retailers. Our ponchos, our organic onesie sets, the Name in Brights blankets, and the cover-all bibs. Having existing retailers re-order all previous designs and add all new designs has really given me the assurance that our stuff flies off the shelves. To potential clients, I can say, in all honesty, “these are going to sell really well for you, no matter which style you choose”. I finally believe in (or remember) the reasons why I started this business - because I believed in our creative abilities. I believed we could / would be the best.
If you read between the lines there, you’ll see that I didn’t give much thought to our admin abilities, but I did 100% believe we had what it took to make it big time. I can honestly say I lost sight of that self-confidence somewhere between figuring out what a pattern maker does and showing at our first trade shows. It’s crazy-making.
My confidence is back, I’m feeling good. Business is picking up for our retailers, we’re updating parts of our house, I’ve started yoga, I’m making more time for friends, I’m feeling happy. And it all came down to me deciding that I really want this and yes, I’m really willing to work as hard as I need to so we can sky rocket up up up n’ away.
I was just telling my husband that I feel like I’ve been through a train wreck (last half of ‘08) and somehow, miraculously, came out on the other side of it still smiling, still shinin’…
Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right - Henry Ford
Entry Filed under: About Me, Motivation to Keep Moving
4 Comments Add your own
1. Amber @ RuffleButts | March 23rd, 2009 at 8:57 am
I love this post!! I think every single entrepreneur can relate. After starting this business in mid 2007, I truly thought I was going to have a mental breakdown by the end of the year. My husband took me to Disney World for Thanksgiving (this was pre-kids) just to take me to a “happy place” where I would forget everything. It was my saving grace. When starting a business, it is so easy to get side tracked by all of the “stuff”. I also had to learn the whole process from pattern making to dealing with mass retailers. I feel like I come up against something I don’t know at least once a week, still to this day. You get so caught up in the things you must learn, accomplish, and overcome, that you loose sight of the grand idea that you had in the beginning. And, I must say, that some customers, vendors, and competitors don’t really help the matter.
Though, with all of that said, I would not trade my job for anything in this world. We have to stick together in this crazy process, as there aren’t many other people out there that really understand. I think some of my friends think I hang out around the house and have this little gig on the side…not quite =)
I was catching up on some recorded Oprah episodes over the weekend and she said something that really hit home…she was saying how she can get 1000 emails with compliments, but it is the one or two with criticisms or complaints that continue to go through her head. This is so true for me, and I am guessing for you as well. I can tell you, after personally seeing your creations, that you have a great product, which I know you already know!
You should be super proud of yourself, not only for the success that you have achieved so far, but for having the guts and determination to stick it out! I love your quote from Henry Ford…so true!!
Amber
RuffleButts.com
2. amber | March 23rd, 2009 at 9:09 am
HI Amber - it’s so great to hear from you. How’s the mom life treating you? Totally insane and GREAT with a baby, family, and a business, right?
I was smiling about the “happy place” - I told my husband I need to be laying on a beach in Hawaii in the near future or yes, the mental breakdown thing.
I also had to smile about the friends thinking you hang out around the house. It’s so true that unless you are in it, and literally sacrificing sleep and endless hours,you just have no concept. I have to stop by your blog today to see what you’ve been up to. Everyone reading this should check out Amber’s line because it is really cute and she keeps adding new stuff!!
I would love to chat w/ you - I’ll send you an email. Hope that you are doing wonderful!
~Amber
3. Amber @ RuffleButts | March 23rd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
You inspired me…had to voice my opinion on the RuffleBlog as well. Hope you don’t mind!
4. Lisa Hanson | September 27th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I can’t tell you how much I love your blog. I am in the planning stages of designing & launching a kids boutique clothing line ages 2-10 and I’m very excited. I also have a ton to learn and your blog has been so helpful. Thanks again and if you ever come to Vegas I would love to meet you.
Lisa Hanson
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