This is the post that I usually write 2, 3, 4 times and then on the 5th time, I sit down kind of late at nite and write the whole thing start to finish in one setting. Excessive and a bit weird? You bet. Necessary to write? Absolutely. (A little mushy, too, so don’t say you weren’t warned.)
Though I can’t speak directly from experience, the only way I can think to describe this past year is swimming with dolphins. You see these people hanging on really tight to the dorsal fin, pulling themselves up with all their strength so they don’t get pulled under water, all while it’s splashing in their face, blinding them from what’s ahead. They end up watching with one eye shut, spitting water out every few seconds because they can’t help but smile thru the whole ride. They finally let go, tired and winded, and yell “Let’s do it again!”
Yeah, that’s how I describe 2010.
O.M.G
Everyone says it and everyone means it, but it’s definitely something that can’t be said enough…
My. Clients. Are. Amazing.
Seriously. If any of you girls are reading this, I can’t thank you enough for your willingness to do things a little differently and to think outside of the box. All of you allowed my creative mind to wander while creating something for which both of us could be proud and really, that’s all I ever really want at the end of the day.
I did a lot of talking, a lot of listening and a lot of observing this year… which lead to a lot of learning. Business is definitely not something you can and should do alone. Outside perspective, no matter who is giving it and what profession they are in, is valuable information. With that, however, my belief in standing on your own two feet, having your own identity, thinking for yourself and relying on your own hard work was reaffirmed to a whole new level. I truly believe by owning that notion to the fullest extent, I made my business and myself much stronger. Walking into a new arena is tough. It’s intimidating and it’s scary. But once you get in the ring and you start talking, you confirm what you already knew- that everyone in the ring had been in your shoes once before.
Whenever you enter a new circle, such as this, you expect to make friends, but you never really expect to come across people that are rooting for you and honestly and truly want to see you succeed in your business- especially for not being in the game very long. Many have sat and talked with me, be it over drinks or until 2am on the phone, answering my questions honestly, offering ideas and suggestions on ways to better myself and my business and helping me to work thru roadblocks and frustrations. Most of the time, all it has taken is someone listening to me talk out loud to find the solution on my own, but being there to validate and support the solution that came to the surface. You are invaluable to me and in sharing what you’ve learned and experienced, it’s a gesture I truly appreciate.
Every day is like shaking the 8 Ball, anxiously waiting which prediction comes to the surface. Some days it’s in your favor, some days it’s not, but my support system stays strong no matter what hand I’m dealt. I’ve made sacrifices that I know will ultimately pay off in the end and my family and friends remind me to stay focused and driven- they’ll be there when I finally reach my goals and that’s what keeps me moving forward. You’re always going to have people pop up and situations arise that make the road a little rougher, but I’ve found that by staying focused and following my instincts, the road eventually smooths out. As I gear up for my next trip around, I feel much more prepared, much more calm and overall ready to learn even more about the wedding industry, my business and more importantly, myself.
P.S. A huge thank you to the talents that allow me to post their images which showcase my work. Without you, I would rarely get a chance to sneak a peek at the end result in a day-of setting or just have photos that make me proud of what both you and I are capable of creating for our clients. Another huge thank you for those that helped me pull my table together for my first bridal show this year- I hope to be able to repay the favor sometime. And lastly, thank you to my vendor-friends that have hired me for my talents. It’s always an honor to do work for someone in the wedding circle, so I hope to have the opportunity to repay your kindness… and to work with you again!
As usual, I can always count on Jacalyn of JMM Photography to get some great shots- thanks, Jac! Check out a few more photos from the party!
