It's okay to be yourself

Wow, it's hard to believe it's 2018 already.  I don't know about you, but the years are flying by.  2018 marks our third year in business and really, that is just crazy to me.  I started this business with the dream of being able to create beautiful, unique pieces that will last for years.  Whatever came to my mind, I would create.  And so far, that's been the case.  I thank you all for helping to make this dream a reality.  

There is nothing like heading out to the shop, turning on my music (which is usually loud), falling into my element of pure contentment and getting to work.  It's a very dirty job and believe me, there is nothing glamorous and nothing at all pretty about this work except the final product.  My hands look as though I have been working on an engine, my nails.... well, let's just say my feet look better than my hands, my hair really needs to be covered not only because of the sparks but also the dust that burns off the aluminum.  My clothing hardly ever matches and my boots, well, they are nasty.  But as crazy as this sounds, this is me.  Dust, dirt, smoke and all.... it’s me.  I grew up in a garage, around hot-rods, engines, loud exhaust, camshafts, you can imagine.  I was an only child and all I ever wanted to do was hang out in the garage with my Daddy and his friends.  And though he let me some, I just couldn't get enough of it.  I still to this day love the smell of gas and the sound of a true hot rod. 

When I'm in my shop, I feel those days in Daddy's garage come back to me.  And no, I don't work on cars but something that is more...... me. 

I don't know about you but there is something really satisfying when you're doing what makes your heart smile.  You know that "thing" you do and smile while you're doing it.  That passion you have deep inside that you want to be able to do more of.  That craft or talent that you have but you think, Na, I don't have time to do this like I want.  I've said it before and I'll say it until the day I leave this earth.... everything that I've ever done has led me to this.  As corny as that may sound, it's true.  I prayed long and hard for God to send me this opportunity and he did, and I will never take that for granted. 

The one thing that I would like to do is to inspire others.  Whether you follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest or not, whether we're friends or you don't know me at all.... I want you to do what your calling is.  Whether you do it on the side, in your spare time or here and there or maybe even full-time.  Life is so very short, and you know what I mean when we all say, next week, next year, soon we'll make that plan and then it's a year, two years later and you haven't.   

Trust me, when I told my friends and family that I wanted to cut metal and create metal signs and art, some thought I was a little coo coo.  LOL. (They didn't say it, but I could tell).  But those that really know me, knew that I was serious.  I've always had something on the side.  I can't stay idle.  Even when I'm finally relaxing on the couch, I'm working.  I'm either working on my website, editing photos, updating social media, working on cut files, ordering supplies, emailing proofs, etc.  My mind goes a million miles per hour and it's always been that way.  But really, I want anyone out there reading this to really "go" for what your passion is whether you are an artist, a florist, a wreath maker, a designer, a contractor, decorator, musician, student, dancer, salesman, whatever "that" is in the back of your mind that makes you truly you.  You know, that spark that you've put on a shelf, tucked back, waiting to be brought back down.

I was scared, I was worried....and I'm still scared, and I still worry.  But I've learned it's okay to be scared and it's okay to worry.  It's okay to rely on faith. Faith has gotten me this far.  It's okay to do something totally off the wall and abnormal to some.  It's okay to do what makes YOU happy!  It's okay to start a business later in life.  It's okay to be different (I've always been a little different, lol).  It's okay to be yourself!  It's okay to follow your heart even when your head is telling you it's crazy.  As long as you're not hurting anyone, as long as you have the blessing of your spouse or partner (because trust me, it's tough when you're working all the time although it may take a lot of conversations to get that blessing ;), you just gotta give it to God and pray for what you need and work for what you want.  And keep your head on while your heart is jumping.  You gotta have your head too, lol.  I mean, after all, they pretty much work together.  Haha. 

Now, don't get me wrong.  Some days I am so tired I can't function properly.  Just a few weeks ago, I only slept 16 hours the entire week. I honestly didn't think I was going to make it another day without sleep.  I do NOT recommend that but running a business, being a mom and a wife, running a house and working another full-time job can be overwhelming and exhausting.  But it's so worth it to me.  If I didn't love it, I couldn't do it.  I couldn't work weekends and nights.  I couldn't stay up until 1:30am and get back up at 6:40.  But when you follow your passion, it really doesn't feel like work.  Now please understand that obviously I'm not this overly successful person or business.  I'm just a small, itty, bitty, tiny business but it's MY business and it's MY passion.  And when and if it grows, I will hire a team/staff that will help me.

Just remember that jumping out of your comfort zone is very scary.  I mean, that's why it's called a comfort zone.  But when I jumped, I didn't just one-day jump.  I planned, prayed, planned some more, prayed some more, researched, planned even more, wrote lists and lists....lots and lots of lists, created marketing plans, prayed more, created price sheets, did a lot of leg work, researched again, and so on before I took the leap.  I talked with friends and family, I visualized exactly what I wanted.  And that was about a year before I purchased my equipment and became an actual legal business.  But jumping to me was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

And like I said, I'm still scared and I'm still worried although now I like to say I'm not a worrier, I'm a WARRIOR!  What could I be scared of?  What am I worried about?  Really, I don't know but that's me and I've always been a worrier and I've always been scared to take risks, but I still do.  I guess I'm scared that I will disappoint customers, family, friends.... I guess I worry that I could do more, that I'm not worth it, that I need to work harder, that I am taking away time from my family and so on.  But like I said before, I prayed that if this business was meant to be that God would help make it a reality.  So that is how I turn off the worry and fear.  And having your "tribe", your support system, your people that understand you, that "get" you is so important.  You are who you surround yourself with.  Really, that is so true. 

Okay, enough of me.  I'd love to hear from you.  I'd love to hear what your passion is, what your ideas are, what you really want to do.  Because I'm telling ya, I'm not finished yet.  I have so many outlandish ideas and dreams.... it’s just a matter of time! 

Thanks for stopping by.  I'm going to try my best and update this blog as much as possible. :)

Take care and God bless,

 P.S.  Please understand that this is my journey and my opinion.  Your journey may be completely different and the road may be longer or shorter but you can create the life you want, one step at a time.  ;)  I believe in you!