Dear Rabbits and Bunnies,
When I am asked to give my advice on how to go about pursuing a passion or dream, I don't always have an answer on the spot. This is a hard question that I've had to think about for a while. Hmmm... In the past, when I've asked this very question to someone whose successful in their career, they told me to start with internships or look for investors who may potentially seek interest in my ideas. So, I would do just that. I interned for various companies and seeked investors and so on and so forth. I went to the bookstore and did extensive research on how to begin a business. But, I still struggled with not knowing how to land my start.
It took for me to go about finding my own way to start my business without the redundant advice I'd been giving, over and over, again. Now, don't get me wrong, you do have to internally hold the passion and zeal it takes to start a business from scratch. You can't just one day wake up and say you are going to be a business owner and BAM! it happens in front of your very eye's. Nope. Think that one over, again.
So, back to when I'm approached with this question, the type of advice I give. Well, I certainly don't give the advice to research all day on how to operate a business. Why? Because that way isn't always the best way for everyone. I do advise people to intern in the beginning under someone whose been on the same path you're seeking to go. But, don't go into it for the wrong reasons. You shouldn't be trying to figure out how you can take their job right under their feet nor should you be trying to measure how much better you are than the next person with an actual position in the company. When I interned, I transformed into a sponge. I soaked up all the knowledge I could possibly absorb. I never tried to compete against anyone because I knew that I was going to create my own business. I always kept that in the back of my head, so it didn't bother me when another intern did better than me at the job. The difference was that intern wanted a position with the company and I didn't. I just wanted to learn the business.
So, the real question is what's my advice?
Answer: Create your story. The first thing I would tell someone whose interested in going into business for themselves is to create their own story. Find out the real reason why you're burning with the desire to pursue a career that's beyond your wildest dreams. Understand this, I did not create a thorough business plan for myself that had every little detail etched out from beginning to end. Why? Because I am still a college student whose in their last year of schooling. Before, I launched my business in October 2010, I was supposed to take a course of business planning and execution. But, that didn't happen. Oh and did I mention that I am not even in school for jewelry designing, rather fashion marketing and management. I go to Savannah College of Art and Design. This school is one of the most prestigious schools out there in the design industry. They offer jewelry designing as a major course. So, of course, you may think well if I'm a jewelry designer then why am I not taking that as my major course. Answer: Because I didn't know that jewelry designing was my passion until the beginning of my senior year. I started college thinking I wanted to be a fashion designer who lived in New York and had Sex and the City friends. But, then I quickly realized I hated that idea. Then I changed to fashion marketing and management and thought I was going to be this big time department store buyer and fashion stylist to the stars. Wonk. That wasn't it, either. So, by the time I reached my last year, my mother reminded me of a passion I started when I was eight years old--hand making beaded bracelets that I sold to family and friends for $.50, $.75 and $1.00. Technically, I started my career when I was a child. Now, as a young adult, I'm putting it into motion.
This is a known fact, plans are meant to be broken just like rules. Humans can not successfully plan out their lives from beginning to end without some sort of obstacle to come inbetween. The way my business came about was not because of the advice I was given or the business plan I created for myself. Rather, it happened because of the economy. With the amount of loans I took out for school, I told myself that I needed to create a job that I could do three things: Pay back my debt, employ the unemployed and stabalize as many children in less fortunate positions all over the world. The reason I choose children is because their the most innocent beings out here. When a parent suffers, a child suffers. And I go some nights crying and worrying over the children in orphanges and shelters that have fear of abandonment and yearn for cries over joy. So, the business plan that I'm following is the one that God wrote out for me. And, I believe that I'm supposed to follow my journey through my passion of jewelry designing. Oh and I can proudly say that I have an investor. His name is God. He has helped me start my business with no loans, rather my personal finances and donations from friends and family. He see's my everyday struggle and he helps me bear through them all. When I have questions out of frustration, he guides me to the amswers. He even guided me to my all time favorite quote by the infamous Marilyn Monroe, " I don't care about the money. I just want to be wonderful."
I am not in business with the ultimate goal of traveling the world on the most expensive yacht. I am in business with the ultimate goal of traveling the world seeing myself and the people that work for my company physically putting in the work to change the lives of others and then teaching those people how to change the lives of another person. What a lot of people don't realize is that money helps the less fortunate to an extent. It may physically help them get back on their feet, but it doesn't mentally stabalize them.
Truth betold, my business plan is very simple and so is my advice. Now, it's your turn to figure out yours.
Live and Love,
Trendoll
