You guys, this isn’t going to be one of those blogs about how I just thought of an idea and now it is a thriving business.
Oh heck no.
Let me tell you, its been quite a ride. One my husband God bless him - has been the biggest supporter, although sometimes doesn't quite get me. Right now, Sean has become the sampler of my recipes, the photographer of my photos, the spell checker to my blogs and so much more.
This ambition of mine, of creating a business goes ways back.
It all started, when my daughter was in her early teens. I was inspired by Magnolia Cupcakes; you know that TV show that made amazing cupcakes with frosting that stood 2 inches off the cupcake? Yeah, that one. Well, after dozens (and I mean dozens) of sampling, I created the perfect vanilla cupcake with the best frosting. Then Periwinkle cupcakes was born.
Leigha and I started marketing it, and oh my gosh we got orders. We were booking weddings and kids parties. Then it happened, I panicked. What was I thinking? I can’t do this! I have a full-time job and a young business partner, I can’t do it. I shut it down.
I realized that this wasn't my dream. I waited for years before I explored my truth. I have had a tremendous career in media sales for our local radio station, for the past 20 years. I am thrilled with the company we have grown to be, and my dedicated clients I consider family. However, I have dreams and plans that needed to be engaged. I have always been so proud of my brother Kevin who is such a gifted artist. Such a natural ability to create incredible art without effort. I am in awe of him. Not only for his talent but for his relentless drive to his dream. He owns one of the top tattoo companies in Montreal. That only happened because he saw his goal, and never took his foot off the pedal.
Then I think, maybe creating beautiful spaces, designing decor and writing lifestyle blogs are my gift?
Guys, it all happened when I took a small staging course because I thought it would be neat to learn. I love that kind of stuff. But more importantly, it spring-boarded , I mean like a rocket, when one of my clients said "Do you do interior decorating too?"
So, this is where it becomes interesting.
I then decided, what I wanted to do, and how I was going to get there. I studied hard by going back to school and learning the industry, enduring late nights and missed family events. I experienced moments of questioning what I was doing and of course fatigue, but I persevered.
When following my dream to create this company, no was not an answer. I have learned how to overcome no, for the last 20 years of my advertising sales career. Heck, I had a car dealer tell me no. No, I am not interested in talking to you about advertising. I had to get his attention. So much so, I sent him one shoe. One shoe through the mail. Once the box was opened, the tag on the shoe would read "Just had to get my foot in the door". Well, it worked and has been a great story since.
My business, I am happy to report is growing. The little company I have been working so diligent on is building momentum and going exactly the direction I am pointing it to.
Exciting opportunities have come my way like teaching work and lifestyle columns for my local news source. I am truly grateful mostly, for the opportunity to create BLOGS that you all are reading. You come back every week to hear what I have to say, wow what an honor.
This is what I know for sure:
1). My family and friends will never care as much about my new business or how successful it becomes more than me. They will be supportive, but this dream is not their dream, it’s mine.
2). I need to stop worrying about what people think of me or their opinions of this company I am building. I love hearing positive comments but have to learn not be derailed when I hear the negative ones. Just focus on my goals.
3). I need to stop thinking about how long it took me to get here and be thankful I finally did.
Thank you for allowing me to share a bit of my story.
Its been such a wonderful ride so far.
Live simple, love your space.
Tracy x