I was recently reminded that when following dreams it will not happen overnight. As much as we all would like it to when chasing our dreams. I've recently posted about hard work and I guess I forgot about that for a bit. A little but a bit long story for you. I attended my first vendor market (craft fair) in mid December and on the day of, it was cold, rainy, and wind gusts galore. I made a few sales so I was happy about that. I left that experience with a positive attitude, and the insights of it being a learning experience, a work in progress if you will. Needless to say, the fair shut down due to weather.
My second fair I was more than ecstatic thinking; YES!! I'm on my way. On my way to a questionable location that is!!!! The pop up market, as it was advertised, was being held in a small home neighborhood in a beauty shop, per se. In a questionable area of town, one which I was not used to. I was a bit iffy upon arrival but as soon as I saw other vendors showing up I was relieved. Needless to say I made a couple of sales and I became comfortable attending. Not really my caliber of customers but again, all a process of learning, right?
Third fair, well you know that ole saying, something about a charm and the third time? Yes, that saying....I worked hard to make new products to suit the season we are going into, Spring/Summer. There I was all happy like a peacock showing off its beautiful feathers. Feeling EXTREMELY positive and knowing this one was going to be it, the one fair that I will have finally been able to say, "I made a killing". As the week progressed into the weekend, well wouldn't you know it, the weather was leaning towards bad with wind gusts for the fair. I haven't mentioned but these fairs are all rain or shine events once booked. As forecasted, Saturday winds were like 35-40mph. For the next two hours I steadily worked to ensure I had 30 pound weights on my canopy, my products all finally tied down (more like bungeed down), and taped down to where no matter what kind of wind came my way, they would stay displayed. I finally was able to sit for a few seconds when the fair organizer announced that they made the decision to shut down the event. "Are you kidding me?!!!" is what went through my mind immediately. I packed up totally defeated!!
The next part of this story well, you can imagine...it launched me into a state of self doubt, defeat, and maybe a little bit of depression. I even cried!!! I tried to be strong and kept telling myself, this happens. The mood went into Sunday, and then Monday. For three days I was doubting my decision to start my business, what was I thinking, even quitting my job to pursue what I love to do. Tuesday brought a change, and I prayed, talked to God, and more importantly talked to myself. I told myself; "this is not going to happen overnight, it's gonna take time. Today is a new day, another fresh start. You are going to have to work hard, even harder than you have been. You are going to have to get out of your comfort zone, do things you thought you could not do or did not want to do, like actually talking to people and handing out your business cards." You see I'm an introvert, with a little social anxiety...I know, right? What was I thinking in starting a business? Bottom line, I wanted to be happy, to enjoy what I do for work. I was miserable at my job. I had done it for 20+ years. I was burned out, tired, and my quality of work had declined. I was doing this for me, something for me for a change, not my kids, not my employer, BUT ME! If you find yourself in the same boat and about ready to throw in the towel, or even consider starting your own thing, yes, you will have days of self doubt and defeat, but if you continue and keep going...you are going to be so proud of yourself. Only you will know how hard this whole venture was but the fact that you didn't quit and it panned out to be all you expected, you did that!! You defeated self doubt.
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