“Oh my wife has this little furniture rehab business she’s enjoying…”
Have you ever heard your significant other saying this to a buddy or work friend? Just when you were starting to take your ‘little’ budding business seriously! How could he not see how hard you’ve been working to build this business that fits your talents and your needs?
That’s how I felt after toiling away in the garage, the basement, the driveway, and then loading up all of my pieces, along with a big white pop up tent, all of the styling pieces to make my tent look homey and inviting, only to overhear my husband talking about my business as if it was just a lark. It may have seemed that way to him, but to me, it was really important and creatively satisfying during those hectic years of staying at home with kids and still trying to contribute to the family income.
It’s not an easy thing to put your creative work out there in front of others who may look, inspect, criticize, analyze, buy or walk away. The one person you need on your side is your partner. But WAIT!! That’s no good. I’m reading all kinds of books that are teaching me that you actually need NOT to rely on other people’s approval of what you’re doing. We all kind of know that if it’s right for you, that’s all that matters. (Easier said than done, but a worthwhile goal.)
Image from: lebenslustiger.com
It took a long time for my husband to take my business seriously, and I’m still not sure he holds it in the highest esteem. Despite publicity, a book contract, being on television and doing interviews, he still sometimes talks about it in a joking way. WHY???? Because he’s a businessman and creative businesses confuse him. He’s never quite understood how it works. It’s true that I’ve never been able to earn the same kind of money that he can earn. Even though it isn’t expressed, it could come down to that. But as my business expands adapts and moves forward in unexpected ways, he’s glimpsing that it’s not truly laughable. Before, I used to just live in frustration with his misunderstanding of it, I now just accept that he can think what he thinks, I must do what I do best, and if the two overlap, that’s just one of those moments to savor.
Often students ask me if I’m so happy with my business, if I’m so proud of what I’ve built, etc. And you know what, I’m thinking to myself, “What world do they live in?” Trying to start, build and operate a creativity/education based business is hard work, there are very few role models or mentors to follow and you just never know when a slight shift in market demands will require you to adjust your product offerings. It can be scary, exciting, challenging, exhilarating, and frustrating all at the same time. You might find yourself doubting everything about your business and yourself. Getting control of those dark thoughts and emotions requires daily work. It can feel like you’re carrying a huge burden. In reality, it’s only a business that’s a tiny speck in this enormous Universe.
The upside of it is that you’re your own boss, you can call the shots, if you screw up, it’s nobody else’s fault, if you succeed, you must not stop there, but keep going and figure out why it worked. Whether you’re an artist, an artisan, a designer, or an entrepreneur, this kind of work (the creative path), if you’re in it for the long haul, takes patience, receptivity, listening, mastering skills that may be your weakness, and continuing to strengthen those skills that are your most unique assets. No job is perfect, the grass isn’t greener, the ‘Ta Da’ moment never really arrives. If your life requires that you work a 9-5 job that is soul sucking, at least treat yourself to two hours a week doing that creative something that fills your soul. I want you to report back to me to let me know if you felt a little bit happier and refreshed after those two hours.
Taking into account that my business has never made as much money as my husband’s, the uplifting benefits of creating and sharing things I make with my two hands should have some kind of value on it, at least it takes the place of yammering away for hours with a therapist.
Pro Tip: to anyone trying to start a business in which they find, flip and sell pieces of home furnishings—Look at high end shops, boutiques and see what’s a bit unusual, overpriced, give it your own spin and keep your work high quality. Don’t waste your time redesigning (if that’s your business) stuff that’s easy to find all over the place. The desirability factors that will make people love your work are that you’ve created something unique, professional looking–not ‘homemade’, or you’ve knocked off a high end piece, giving it your own spin, but at a better price point. Not to mention that you will be accessible through social media, flea markets, art fairs, trunk shows, to your customers. They LOVE that.
Image: from one of our local shops HausLove.com
A simple pink side table will stand out and scream HOT FUN in the Summertime in a sea of bland, neutral toned furnishings this Spring and Summer. Simple flips equal profitablity.
