Eeek, my first blog post! I’m so excited and scared to pieces at the same time! I was pretty sure I was going to be the last person in the whole wide world who’d join the blogging world! What in the world did I have to write about? Who in the world would listen? Funny the things rumbling around in our brains, holding us back… that voice has been kicked to the curb. There is so much amazing, beautiful, quirky, loveliness to share!
But first, this week, it’s all about me. I’m spilling a few beans. Grab your sweet tea and sit down for a bit, this one is super wordy, because it’s really 2 blog posts in one, but that’s because their relative, and I’ve got lots of news to share! I promise, I’ll keep the next posts much shorter!
Um, no I’m not a risk taker……
Many of you saw pictures, comments & teases here and there about a business workshop I had the pleasure of attending on March 3, in Nashville, TN through Amber Housley Inspired. To be honest, I was the biggest skeptic. I remember thinking this will be great, but am I really going to get my monies worth? Do I make the investment, there are lots of other things I’d really like to spend that kind of money on. I really struggled with this. While I was contemplating signing up for the workshop, I signed up for Amber Housley’s Inspired newsletter. I got this email from Amber entitled, “When was the last time you took a risk?”. Um, I don’t do that. Yep, exactly. That’s exactly why I decided to sign up. How was I ever going to build a successful business and move past being a “mom with a frosting spatula” (hee-hee, Sara Rose!), if I couldn’t take a risk. Done.
Feeling Inspired!
It was at Amber Housley Inspired that I met these 5 lovely, amazing, talented women, who shared their stories, trials, successes and tips: Amber Housley herself, the talented gal behind the amazing workshop, shared tools to manage our businesses effectively, and the in’s and out’s of good websites. Sara Rose who is the sweetest gal on earth and an amazing photographer, emphasized to do all things with love and to never give up! Amazing designer Kelle Boyd who shared with us how she turned a hobby into an amazing design firm, and how she landed her beautiful textiles in Target & Barnes and Noble! Jessica Bishop who created the award winning blog, The Budget Savvy Bride, who taught us all about television appearances and working with media. And Courtney Dial of Pizzazzerie & author of Push-Up Pops, who is just amazing! She taught us so much valuable information about social media & marketing, my brain was about to burst! Courtney was such a powerful speaker, that I can still, to this day, hear her saying “DO WHAT YOU LOVE”.
It was also at Amber Housley Inspired, that I met 20 other creative ladies who are starting or already had creative businesses, and we all became fast friends. I love that we’ve each become a built-in-cheerleader for one another! You girls are amazing, and I’m so blessed to have met you all! {xx..oo}
Was it worthwhile?
So what came out of Amber Housley Inspired you ask? Did I get my monies worth? Did I feel that the risk was worth it? YES! What I thought was going to be ‘just’ a fun, informational workshop, turned out to be that and so much more! The workshop was an amazing, inspiring, life-changing day filled with compassion, a few tears, laughs and most importantly inspiration and confidence! So if you’re in a creative business, or want to start one, I highly recommend checking out the Amber Housley Inspired site, and signing up for one of the upcoming workshops! Take the leap, it is truly worth it!
DO WHAT YOU LOVE
So I get home from the workshop, and those words of Courtney’s kept ringing in my head for days, “DO WHAT YOU LOVE”. I mean, I really like Courtney, but listening to the same line for a week in my head was really starting to bug me. I realized there was a reason for feeling so unsettled by it. It’s because I wasn’t doing what I loved. Yep, I said it. I enjoyed making cakes, and bundles of sugar cuteness, but when I sat and thought about what times in my business I was the happiest, I surprised myself. {Aha moment}
DOING what I love!
What did I learn from this whole experience? A whole lot, but RISK and that there is simply no reason that you cannot do more than one thing, is what I really took away from it. I took the leap, and I’m doing what I love, and that meant BIG changes.
1. Teaching!
If you’re looking for help or inspiration, the website and blog will focus on showcasing parties, ideas and how-to’s. I want to empower readers with how to bake great cupcakes & professionally frost them, to decorating cakes & crafty techniques for creating dessert tables.
2. New business!
SECOND, I’m SO ELATEDto be launching a new business altogether. Over the past 3 years I’ve felt the most “in my element”, while setting up weddings, dreaming of how I could help make those days less stressful and more organized. It was after the Inspired workshop, that I had a revelation that what I really wanted to do full-time was wedding planning. I am proud to announce that I’ve taken the risk and am following my heart! The new business, “Olivia Grace”, is named after my 2 beautiful daughters, and will open in June, 2012 offering wedding coordination, with plans to grow into full wedding design & planning services.The website, Facebook and Twitter pages have all been created and are under way! They will be filled with ideas & inspiration, DIY wedding projects, tips & planning, as well as details of weddings that I am blessed to be a part of. I’ll be sure to post a note as soon as they are ready, I’d be thrilled for you to follow along in my new journey!
Super duper big thank you!
A big thank you to Amber Housley, for launching Inspired; without Inspired and it’s speakers, I would be without clarity. A big thank you to Courtney, you’re amazing, thank you for all your advice and believing in me!
LOVE the new blog and congrats on taking some risks, girlie! SO excited for you and the new business! I know you’ll soar! Good job!!!
Comment by kristina — April 3, 2012 @ 8:40 am
Your new site is LOVELY, Trish!! And I can’t WAIT to see where you take Olivia Grace! I’m so glad to have met you at this amazing workshop, and hope we stay in touch in the future. Looking forward to those cookies this summer, too!
Comment by Marianne Mandrell — April 3, 2012 @ 8:41 am
I love you, I love, I love you! You are such an inspiration! Should I ever get married – I will holler! I am really excited for you. <3 Lorraine
Comment by Lorraine — April 3, 2012 @ 1:29 pm
Way to go! It takes a lot of guts to get out there and follow your dreams, but you can do it! It will be an amazing business and I can’t wait to watch it grow
Comment by Heather S. — April 4, 2012 @ 3:19 am
First time visitor and I love your website! Congrats on taking the plunge and doing what you love! I felt the same way when I stared selling jewelry- scary but oh so right for me.
Janette
Jewel Kade Stylist
Comment by Janette Stoll — April 6, 2012 @ 4:29 pm
I love the new blog and I love the new business plans even more !! Can’t wait to see you soar from across the street!! Can’t wait to set up some cupcake decorating classes for a girls night!! What fun!
Comment by Jenni — April 9, 2012 @ 10:09 pm
Thank you so much Jenni!! Yay! Let’s plan a class!
Comment by Trish — April 10, 2012 @ 3:56 pm
Thanks for visiting Janette! I’m really excited about the new plans and cannot wait for everything to be in full motion! So exciting!
Comment by Trish — April 10, 2012 @ 3:58 pm
Thanks Heather!! I know it will be lots of work, but I couldn’t be happier or more excited and am ready to take on the challenge!
Comment by Trish — April 10, 2012 @ 4:01 pm
Awe Lorraine!! I just love you!!! Your post made my day!!
Comment by Trish — April 10, 2012 @ 4:02 pm
Thank you Marianne!! Amazing what a blessing the workshop was! I discovered a new path and made 20 new friends!! I look forward to keeping in touch, and cannot wait to watch your business soar!
Comment by Trish — April 10, 2012 @ 4:08 pm
Thank you Kristina! Eeek! I was nervous, but I felt such peace afterward, so I know it was the right path to take! So blessed to have met you, and am excited to see your business launch!!
Comment by Trish — April 10, 2012 @ 4:12 pm
Just stumbled across your blog from pinterest! I’m interested in doing the same thing but once I finish school. Good luck with everything.. I am excited to check back in when you get going- I love success stories
xo Jessica
http://www.newlyloved.com
Comment by Jessica — April 13, 2012 @ 8:39 pm
My buttons are bursting off my blouse with pride, missy! I am ridiculously proud of you — what a testimony to passion and perseverance you are! I have so much to learn from my red-headed bestie
Love you to pieces – keep the good stuff coming! xo
Comment by Kristen Palazzolo — April 15, 2012 @ 4:31 pm
Thank you so so so much Kristen!!!! Much love to you!
Comment by Trish — April 17, 2012 @ 10:00 am
Thank you Jessica!! Best wishes to you in college and following your dreams!
Comment by Trish — April 17, 2012 @ 10:01 am