So, about those new products. While technically I could go ahead with them, I’m having a hard time navigating the pros and cons of going ahead now vs waiting. If I go ahead and print them digitally, I CAN’T wholesale them, BUT I can test them. If I go ahead with off-set printing so I CAN wholesale, I run the risk of having a large inventory that I CAN’T move at a reasonable rate. Of course, they aren’t the only pros and cons, but they are the ones weighing most heavily on my mind.
My biggest goal here is to set myself up for wholesaling. Realistically, I can’t justify running modernemotive another year without it. This isn’t just for financial reasons but also a need for me to justify why the heck I’m here. I feel as though I’m losing that vision with each week that passes.
While some may argue I’ve already seen some success, I can’t sustain myself or my business at the rate I’m going. I say some because in the grand scale of things guys, let’s face it, it’s minimal. In part, this is my fault. I’ve been in and out of my business since January 2009 for personal reasons and I need to either commit to it 110% now or quite frankly, get out.
While I am looking at a Plan B, I invested so much time and energy into these new products I can’t see it. Did someone turn the lights out? I was already nervous about introducing these new products and this spanner in the works is allowing the self-doubt to take on a stronger hold. I’ve barely done a thing in the last few weeks. My tip of the day – this isn’t how you move a business forward.
Ugh, it’s days like today that I regret being so honest about the “behind the scenes” of modernemotive. I feel as though I’ve built such a “buzz” around my relaunch and I’m not sure how to move forward. I stepped away in January promising “big things” and 4 months later I’m at a complete standstill. I’m none the wiser than I was back then. Ugh, there I go being honest again.
When you’re at a standstill, how do you get yourself moving again and keep yourself looking forward?
Photo Credit: B Tal
I have been following your blog for sometime now, but never had the courage to leave a comment as I was afraid of what others might think… But I have to share with you that your posts + feedback from others have been giving me the courage to move through the fear of failure and go for my dreams! The ‘what-if’s’ that swirl through my mind, I realized, as Jan had comment above, is just an isolated fear and if you were to set that aside, the big picture is actually quite exciting! Fear should never be the factor of trying something out. And I also agree that some things might be best to just try out and see how it unfolds.
I know you must be feeling a lot of pressure about the re-launch of your company, but I think it’s best to take it one day at a time, one moment at a time and if you can move past those moments in a direction that you are wanting, everything added up can become what you are envisioning.
Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts, but I think that you’ll move through this and come out on the other side… stronger than before! :)
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I start with First Steps- a concept so important I put capitals on it! Do something for goodness sake! Something to get you going is better than nothing.
Sounds like you may need a plan- have you read The E-Myth: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It? It’s a great accessible business book, and has changed my life. I’m now working toward a huge growth and expansion plan for my business.
Good luck! Stay focused, and move forward!
If you were near me, I’d grab you by the shoulders and tell you to get your shit straight. If you played that back in slo-mo, you’d see me telling you what an insane talent you are, to stop fearing The Precedent you may or may not be setting, to trust yourself and let yourself fly…knowing that while there are no guarantees, you are smart enough to figure out how not to fail. You are doing it right now through inertia, but you need to figure out how to do within the realm of momentum. I always feel like I’m holding myself back b/c of fear of ______________. Once I isolate that fear, I figure out what I can do to work with it or around it…or just to see how absurd I really am to get my own shit straight. No easy resolution…but you have come so far, Adele!!
I have no brilliant advice to offer since I am not even as far as you are in the wholesaling process. I think the biggest thing I’m wrestling with is also that giant risk of investing money to have things properly printed and then ending up with inventory that doesn’t move. My vote would be to have things digitally printed and put them out there. That way you’ll be able to gage the response and entice retail stores by showing them samples of what’s to come.
Good luck Adele! Your work is awesome, you are awesome, there is no reason that all your hard work and dedication won’t pay off.
x bess