You hear people say, I would love to do that or I have always wanted to do that. But they never do. I am proud to say, I am a do-er. I turn ideas into action. I take a creative thought and turn it into something tangible.
People ask me all the time how I got started in my t-shirt business, Unitee. They confide that they wish they could to do something on their own, with their own creativity, something they feel passionate about. But they don’t know how or where to begin.
The answer is simple: just get started. Just begin. Just take a step in a direction and momentum will take over. Imagine a big rock is your desire to do something all your own. At first, the rock is difficult to move, difficult to roll. You think how am I going to move this, where am I going to push it? But you keep nudging it and it budges. Then it catches momentum and picks up speed. Before you know it, it’s moving fast and you are steering! What a ride!
Start small. Pick something that you can wrap your arms around. Something easy to grasp with quick gratification. I had a vision of opening a fusion studio with instructors, food, retail, a full blown brick and mortar business. But to get started, I thought to myself, self: what do I think I can accomplish now with 3 small children, a small budget and small amount of time….I know about fashion and retail, why don’t I start with the retail piece and make some t-shirts that reflect the attitude I am going for. I made 72 tank tops with inspirational sayings such as “enjoy the journey”, “live love laugh”, “strength”, sold them at a small boutque show and things moved on from there. Voila, I was in business!
It doesn’t have to be perfect (like this blog). If you wait to start until your idea or the circumstances are perfect, you will never begin. The idea will evolve, change and get better as you gain experience and see what works for you. Also, like I hope for this blog.
It’s all a learning experience. No experience is ever wasted. Take what you can from every chance encounter and make the most of it.
“The view changes with every step. ” A quote I wrote that means roll with it, grow with it, be fluid, be flexible. Most of all, just take that first step…you never know where it take you….
