image credit: awesome is my middle name print by yellow heart art
Robin and I are so stoked to be included in this amazing community of creative people. So for our contribution for the AWESOME month of July, we wanted to talk about how AWESOME community is in our lives.
Our awesome contribution started a few months ago when we were chatting about ways to help the jewelry designers that we were mentoring. I had an idea about how to create a huge community of like-minded people who were generous, supportive and ALL jewelry designers.
I remember feeling really isolated and alone when I started my first business. Over the years, community has been the ONE thing that has really pulled both Robin and myself out of the “isolation” hole and has allowed us to be super awesome in our lives, even when times weren’t great.
So without further ado, here is a short video where we talk about how community is super important for us.
We both love this awesome quote by Anais Nin because it infers that being awesome is not without risk and putting yourself out there, is really the ONLY way to thrive.
“And the day came when the risk to remain tightly in the bud was more painful than the risk to blossom”
In an effort to build a greater community of jewelry designers, Robin and I are developing a support system over at Flourish & Thrive. We are also working on something that we thing is incredibly awesome.
I always wished I had something like this when I was first starting my business… check out what made me cry here.
We need something AWESOME from you:
Please tell us two things in the comments below:
- What makes you awesome?
- How are you using community to support yourself in your awesome venture?
Tweet this:
How awesome is community in your biz + life? http://www.ohmyhandmade.com/?p=15946 #OMHG via @flourish_thrive
How have you used community to help you blossom? http://www.ohmyhandmade.com/?p=15946 via @ohmyhandmade + @flourish_thrive
umm what makes me awesome is that you FEATURED MY PRINT. and for that YOU are awesome ha!
ok but seriously I think what makes me awesome is that I FINALLY found a “job” in life that I would totally do for free. I LOVE running yellow heart art and I hope to never have to give it up!
In regards to the community, I find that support is HUGE. I am constantly blogging about my other favorite etsy shop or tweeting links to my other handmade friends new products. In return they help me out too, its truly amazing how great everyone has been with my shop! <3
Awesomeness abounds! Love all your work & how you celebrate your own awesome Leonora! Your love of all you do comes across so strongly & has called your supporters to you, just keeping rocking your fabulosity lady!
This video was very inspiring, because support and community is something I struggle with a lot. I feel like bloggers/crafters are clique-y most of the times, and in competition to have the most followers and next best idea.
Community to me means a group of people with similar interests that inspire and look out for the good of the others.
I don’t know the “big namers” and don’t have friends in “high places”, so I struggle to get my ideas out there.
Thank you for your positive advice. I could use all the help I can get when launching my bloggy business.
Fabulous advice! I’m the organizer of etsyRAIN.com (the Seattle Etsy team) and we are in a constant battle between the very real need for community and the fear people have about new experiences. What we want more than anything is for our members to take one chance to meet us. Then, it’s all good from there!
I agree with the Stephanie’s comment about cliques – I’ve been in the uncomfortable “new girl” role many times – so our group strives for total acceptance at all times!
Even if you aren’t the “leader” of a community, you can still take on the role of “friendliest person in the room” by asking lots of questions of the people who are there and being uber-curious about who they are and what they do. This way, you get to build your own micro-community filled with people you really like – and not those you need to impress! 🙂
Thank you guys for letting us know what you think! Truly, community is important. It definitely allows us to grow as business savvy individuals and learn as humans along the process. Continue on with your passions and the community will be right behind you!
Come by and visit Flourish & Thrive some time!
I read your blog and liked your way of helping the designers that were working under your guidance. Your trick to create a community of minded and supportive people also worked very well. This is my opinion that this successful attempt will make you more creative.