Milestone Markers

Just before Easter I gave a pendant the inventory number 100. I paused a bit, even though I had a few to go, because that was a milestone I didn’t see coming just a few months ago. To think that prior to April 14, 2012, I didn’t even know of this technique (Thanks Crystal and Cindy)!

Fast forward to April 3, 2013, the announcement of Artrageous! artists. Four of the artists are people I have gotten to know over the past year. It creates a sense of belonging I didn’t have last year.

I’m also excited about the next Geneva pop-up after the lovely reception I received at the last event. You’ll see me and my pendants Monday evening at The Sugar Path’s second Girls’ Night Out. Pop in at 315 W. State Street, Geneva, Illinois 60134 between 6 and 9 pm on April 8 for complimentary appetizers, coffee tastings by Fresh Ground Roasting, mini cupcakes, socializing with lovely ladies and raffle prizes with musical entertainment by Simply Elegant Harp. Vendors include Mamie’s Toffee, Watershed Soaps, Desmond Brown Design, Miche Bags, Hazel Brown Design and yours truly. You can RSVP here.

Impostor syndrome still creeps in here and there, but it’s a joy to acknowledge every affirmation I receive along the way of building my business:

• Having you lovely readers purchase my art
• Almost 100 Facebook fans
• Invitations to pop-ups and into boutiques
• Receiving certificates of merit or coupons and other goodies when I participate in shows
• Treasury selections and ‘hearts’ on Etsy
• My first ad on the site of an entrepreneur I’ve admired for years

There are still a lot of things I want to accomplish and sometimes I get antsy at rolling over to-do’s from one day to the next, but ultimately this is what growing a business is about: you take one step at a time, one day at a time. You say ‘yes’ or ‘let’s try it’ a lot. You sleep on it when your gut churns over and reluctantly say ‘no’ or ‘maybe later’ to something that doesn’t feel right just yet.

Eleanor Roosevelt said “Do something that scares you every day.” I am changing that to “do something that challenges or stretches you every day.”

The fear is fading with each affirmation that comes my way. Each acceptance notification, each merit badge, each moment of reciprocration and encouragement chips away at that impostor mindset and pushes me forward to keep pursuing this path of bliss.

Speaking of milestones, Lillstreet Art Center recently opened a facility dedicated to creativity for business teams and other organizations. The lovely space offers brainstorming sessions through art to help company teams come up with ideas for their business. The Lillstreet Loft also hosts Emerging Artist Lectures and Social Mondays.

The photos in this post are from their opening night, a milestone of expansion for this lovely creative organization.