photo from blackeiffel.blogspot.com
This May, my company will celebrate its 8th birthday. Curly Girl Design was actually born a couple of years prior, but by the time we got it together enough to do our first tradeshow it was May, 8 years ago. So I like to start there.
Since then, it has been a bit of a wild ride. There have been ups and downs, but fortunately, mostly ups. By that, I don’t mean there have not been struggles. Most of it has been struggles. But challenging, wonderful, make-you-grow-in-ways-you-never-thought-you-could struggles. Learn-new-things-everyday-if-you-don’t-you-wont-make-it-struggles. Those kind. But I have also been so fortunate to have so much positivity and success surround my little venture that I have gotten used to it a little bit. Comfortable in success. Confident even.
Now, my solid mid-western upbringing reminds me constantly to never get too comfortable in these shoes. I try to remember this and make hard work, humility and gratitude at the core of what I do and how I run my business. I think I have, and I am always grateful. But being good at something feels good. Success feels good. And after awhile, you get used to it.
These past few months, a few little things have put a few little dings in my shiny new confidence-armor. A few things that have made me question myself. Doubt myself even. Worry just a little that the industry I had bursted onto the scene of was going to have me and my little life’s work, as a snack.
The truth is, that is entirely possible.
The truth is, it is a jungle out there.
The truth is, every one is out in that jungle to make money. And they don’t particularly care that it’s your life’s work.
So, I started thinking about what ‘the truth is’ for me.
This was not, however, before I pouted for a while and got a few good pep talks from a few wise people.
I may have also had a chocolate glazed donut.
The truth for me is this;
I am just getting started.
I have big plans, a big spark and a lot to say.
The truth is I have not even begun to test the limits of my creativity, and am only just a novice-teeny-tiny-baby CEO.
The truth is I have a world to set on fire and at the risk of sounding like Marshall Mathers, I only get one shot, and these little dings are not going to get in my way. They are going to work to my advantage.
The truth is I can do this.
The truth is, I needed that.
Sometimes, actually, most of the time, the greatest teacher is adversity. Our greatest assets are our challenges. Our greatest lessons are our failures.
We just have to breathe through them, think through them, and get better at being exquisitely ourselves. Because nobody is going to do it for us.
Polish up your spark and put it back out there. It really is the only way.
xoxox
Amen.
Wow…thank you thank you thank you for this post. Love your insight and wise words. You DO have much to say and always say it in a way that we need. Keep on keeping’ on. Wishing you energy and clarity. Thanks for the encouragement, thanks for showing us that we all have insecurities. I am reminded of something I saw on Pinterest…
“Trust your Struggles”. I am embracing that right now. Have a great day!
“Polish up your spark and put it back out there.”
Oh good heavens, I love that. I’m trying to make my way as a teeny tiny creative-ish CEO, and this pep talk went straight to the heart. Thank you so much ♥
Loved this post. Shine on.
What an awesome post. I love the way you write. Your sense of humor is wonderful. I love your work and yes! you can do this! I agree whole heartedly in what you said about adversity and how it really is the only way to grow. Without it we would live very limited lives. You go girl! Susan
LOOOOOVE this blog… it speaks to my heart and soul and where i am in my life right now… i hope you don’t mind, but i shared it on facebook.
i am not even remotely close to being even a teeny-tiny-itty-bitty CEO… but the rest could have come from my own heart!
love curly girl. you are in my home, my sister’s home, my mother’s home, my friends’ homes… NC loves you!!!
xoox
cara
Thank you for this. I needed a pep talk today!
And the truth is if for some awful reason it all ended tomorrow, you would have accomplished more than most people ever get to, made a mark and made the world a beautiful place.
Two truths: Your post is amazing
AND
Curly Girl Designs gives me strength, confidence and smiles more than you could ever know and I’m sure it does for so many others. Don’t you ever start doubting yourself… and if you do, read one of your one products cause that’s what I do 🙂
Leigh,
the truth is…some days are better then others – and the ones that are better are great! Look at how you’re growing – your company, your blog, your friendships.
Yes, some days do call for a Snickers.
Love this post! The truth is, I needed to hear these very things, this very day. So glad I popped by…thank you!
you know, vintage furniture has dings. and our favorite pairs of shoes have dings. and our favorite pair of jeans probably have a few dings (holes, loose threads) too. and they wouldn’t be as special without them 🙂 keep on keepin’ on
What a great post today! I needed to hear this….thank you:)
There is nothing more true—than all of this. And I am SO much more comfortable with this now…Thanks for your post today!
You rock! It’s awesome to watch you heal your mojo and help me find mine!
Thank you all for such love, kindness and support! I just needed to get that out…and I am so grateful you are all ‘out there’ hearing it loud and clear! xoxo
leigh: you are right where you need to be, doing what you were MADE for. the world needs your humor & thoughtfulness, so press on girl. you are doing an amazing job.
i really needed this same pep talk. i’m just getting started in my photography business and i have the same fears and doubts. but i’m just getting started too and i have big dreams.
What a perfect inspiration for a string of days where I was losing some hope. As always, Curly Girl provides the inspiration and smile I need at just the right time!
P.S. – I really, really, really love the latest sneak peak – can’t wait until it is available for purchase!
As Jim Valvano, the famous basketball coach said: “How do you go from where you are to where you want to be? I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal, and you have to be willing to work for it.” He also said (and is probably more famous for:) “Don’t give up; don’t ever give up.” That said, please don’t let any adversity block your creative bent; I know my world, and oh so many others who love your work, would crumble without the joyous opportunity and pure delight of sharing your cards, magnets, cups, etc. with our friends/family. Don’t give up; don’t ever give up! Curly Girl Designs are such an integral part of my life; I want to decoupage them all over a wall in my office so I have before me daily your wonderful, insightful words!
Thank you for this post. Amazingly, I read it just a few moments after I finished giving myself a little talking to about why I haven’t been pursuing my dream of being an interior designer, asking myself what I’m afraid of, and telling myself to “grab a cute pair of shoes…”
wow. i love every bit of this, leigh. we all gather up so much courage watching others pursue their dreams. “polish up their spark.” and then we are reminded to do the same.
thanks for the reminder.
you’re just darling, as usual!
xoxox
stephanie
p.s. i’m totally cheering for you in the jungle! 🙂
I am quite thankful for your abilities and your spark! Thanks for working the dings to your advantage and giving us a piece of your creativity. You never fail to bring a smile to my face!
Such an honest and wonderful post! Thanks for the inspiration and keep going! 🙂
you are incredible. we all have those doubts.
I LOVE YOUR WORK. I have followed for a while now and haven’t commented yet.. so silly.
I wish you the best in all to come. so true, that adversity is the best teacher….. isn’t necessity the mother of all invention?
take care. xoxoxoox jody
Thank you, I needed that!