In It.
I'm 6 months into this new adventure of starting my own business, Braid Creative & Consulting, with my sister, Tara. And boy, have we grown in that 6 months. In 6 months we've learned so much - about ourselves and the kinds of clients we love. We've uncovered patterns and have developed authentic brands - digging in deep is a part of our daily grind.
But if I'm being completely honest, I'll admit that I thought we might fail. Not because we aren't smart or talented but because I thought success on our own was somehow too good to be true. And I'm always reading stories of entrepreneurs who try dozens of times before they get it right. And what about the economy!? But we quickly became successful with full calendars and consistent paychecks. Every day there was a new challenge - a new problem to solve - and it wore me out. It didn't always feel fun or like a dream. I was balancing a matured skill set and point of view with the struggle of navigating a creative business in its infancy.
The paranoia of failure kept me somewhat unattached to this little company of mine. But every day continues to prove me wrong - we keep landing great clients and even had to hire an employee to help us with our project load. Tara and I show up every day and put in the work - side-by-side. And lately, we've been reassessing our goals and dreaming big. We've been reaching out of our comfort zones - and it turns out that's where I'm most comfortable. We've been brainstorming new ways to work with more people like us - the driven and the weird. The small and the independent. Creatives who are redefining what it means to be an entrepreneur. But more on that later.
The point is I'm excited. And I'm in it. I'm really in it.
Braid Is In It. from Rory Gordon on Vimeo.
Small business photo essay and video by the very talented Rory Gordon - whom we also blogged about over at Braid.
That is great news! Loved reading that.
lunch looks really tasty. also loved the video. so good to see your hard work is earning you what you deserve!!!
I really enjoyed your video. What an insightful statement about fear. Bravo for recognizing the fear as just a voice and for putting your self fully "in it." That's what it's all about! Have fun.
What and Tara have done is so wildly inspiring. I really can't wait to strike out on my own now (and with you two to help too!)
Get it girl.
*girls
Loved the video! My fiance and I are starting our own business and it's great to see an inside point of view on the process.
Also, seriously? Could your hair be any more fabulous?
XOXO, Lindsey
"the driven and the weird."
I love it!
Thank you for sharing. This is such an encouragement to me!
You guys rock. Such an inspiration!
What a cool video, Its neat to hear/see what you guys are like instead of just static images. I agree that is something scary, being successful. (in a good way)
your in it to win it. go do it to it, ladies. blaze the trail.
I am a little over the top excited that there is a Jeremy and Kathleen blog post I'm tagged in. This was so much fun - so glad to see it finished and at home in your corner of the web!
I'm inspired! Your posts about how you've developed your business, the pitfalls, the lessons you've learned - the whole freelance matters series - really kick butt. Thanks for sharing.
What a great video. I love what you guys are doing.
If you're ever interested in writing a book, I work for an independent publisher in Austin and would love to talk. We have another creative duo publishing a book this spring that I think is similar to your philosophy and it's getting a lot of bestseller buzz.
That wasn't a sales pitch. I swear. I'd love to see you have a book.
I'm so glad everyone is enjoying the video so much!
And Corrin - YES! Writing a book is on my list of things to do over the next year - so I would love to have a chat.
I love this video!! I love that there's an empty 3rd chair at the table that is now filled with the lovely, and oh-so-uncurly-haired Kristin. So lovely to meet her last week. You girls always amaze and impress me. Keep on keepin' on.
I love this post and video! Keep up the great work and interesting posts!!
I love this post and video! Keep up the great work and interesting, inspiring blog!!!
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