In the middle of it all, it is easy to forget where you came from and how many important steps you’ve taken. I have now been an entrepreneur for half a year, so it is a good time to look back a bit.
In six months, you can experience all kinds. When I was starting up my business, I was in such a rush to get everything done right away. The pressure to succeed was insane. I have made innumerable decisions and choices and will know how well they carry me financially only much later. At times I have been so tired and doubted myself.
Will this ever take off? I have invested so much and thrown myself into chasing my dreams – what if this does not work out after all?
Luckily, the startup phase is behind me, and the business’s steady everyday work has begun. I arrived at the point where I realized and accepted that this will never be ready. Sounds like a negative conclusion at first, but in reality, it is cathartic.
There is no point in trying to get everything done and your vision to shape up during a single workday, week, or month. The only option is to go forward bit by bit.
And in fact, bit by bit is good. I remember how empty I felt after publishing my online store. Because of the frantic pressure to "make it" my expectations were high as a kite. But the galaxies didn't explode. The snow kept on melting at its own pace. So underwhelmed I felt. Today, I still had enthusiasm and joy in store. I have a vision and ideas that I still want to execute. Online store is still here, and looking back it was a huge concrete step!
So accepting this'll never be ready – why couldn’t I work half in jest? Why shouldn’t I take it easier and enjoy the ride now, when it is clear what I’m doing, and the present moment is rewarding? I realized that I get the same result even if I wasn’t at the studio clutching my laptop and my sewing machine like a frantic weasel.
In fact, stressing less actually gave me the insight on how to do MORE with less effort. If I were to pinpoint a state of mind in which I aim to operate, it’s “less but better”.
And when I start listing my doings from the past six months, I have accomplished an incredible amount of things that I can be genuinely proud of. I created an online shop. I developed, designed, and sewed the products. The brand identity is on a highway forth, and the management is in order. I have had and bought help, thank you to all of my friends and collaborators, I would not be this full of an entrepreneur without you.
The most important thing that I have recalled is why I began in the first place. I wanted to give hemp textile the status it deserves. This is the objection of the North to fast fashion and poor-quality textiles.
I am extremely lucky and grateful that all this has been possible so far. It is good to continue from here.
Picture taken by my lovely friend Rosa Heart.
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