Inspiration to StartUp: Should YOU Follow Your Passions?
This question has been in my heart and thoughts lately as my pet project, FitandFearLESS.tv, finally launches. As always, there are naysayers. Naysayers that question what a childrenswear designer could possibly know about the crazy world of online entertainment. As I take my first steps in this new venture, I’m often asked “I know this is a passion of yours, but is it worth it? Will it pay?”
I can’t help but laugh since I was asked those exact same questions when I launched Glamajama. People thought I was crazy when I admitted to wanting to do more than just local craft shows. I guess I couldn’t blame them. After all, I had no experience, no support, and no financial resources. All I had was my hopes, dreams, and a fierce desire to fulfill my passion.
Seven years later, Glamajama is a leader in the childrens industry with national distribution in retailers such as Target and JCPenney. I’ve received thank you letters from Halle Berry, seen our clothes grace countless magazines, watched the hosts of the Today Show excitedly introduce the line on live TV, and helped the design team of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition build a house on primetime.
I could go on for hours with all the amazing things I’ve been able to see, share, and accomplish as the CEO of Glamajama, but I won’t. What I will say, however, is that all those things were possible because of my PASSION. Nothing more, nothing less.
I never had a silver platter, rich Uncle, or even a clue at a few critical moments along that journey. What I did have, however, was a vision for my ideal personal and professional life. Instead of focusing on what I couldn’t do to make it happen, I focused on what I could. I may have gotten knocked down, discouraged, and even doubted my sanity at times (many times), but that’s natural. At the end of the day…
It’s not how many times you get knocked down that count, it’s how many times you get up that matter.
I’m reminding myself of this today as I hear the doubts in people’s voices when I talk about FitandFearLESS, miss my “video view counts” goal for the day, or fail to get a response from a media pitch. The best things in life aren’t easy and it just makes winning that much sweeter. The joy is always in the journey, not the end.
So what does all this really mean? Does passion pay? I say YES. Our passions might not always pay dividends to our bank accounts, but they will always pay dividends to our heart and soul.
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August 25th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
I agree with this post! Your passion keeps you on track to see your vision coming true. Forget all the criticism and unlovely words from the others, deep within you know that you made the right decision, that your taking the right path. And yes I agree with “Our passions might not always pay dividends to our bank accounts, but they will always pay dividends to our heart and soul.” thanks for posting.
August 27th, 2010 at 6:23 am
If you’re not hearing from others that you can’t do it then you’re not being ambitious enough! Thanks for the inspiration and keep crushing it!
August 29th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
This is a very inspiring post! With a fierce desire to fulfill your passion, I’m not surprised Glamajama was a massive success. Well done!
I agree that passions always pay dividends to our heart and soul, but they can leave your belly hungry if very few people share a common interest in your passion. If there is a decent chance that your passion has the potential to become a profitable business venture, go for it!
Every day is a joy when you are doing something that you absolutely love and being rewarded with an income from it.
August 30th, 2010 at 11:22 am
I got made redundant in November 2009 and decided to take the skills I had, managerial, internet, life coaching, time management, and use those to create my own business.
It’s now August 2010 and I have had a wonderful 10 months of opportunity and diversity and would not have missed it for the world :0)
August 30th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Thanks for the inspiration. My problem has never been the lack of passion or vision, or the perseverance to see it through. It’s been having a spouse who would rather see me just get a 9-5 job and quit spending time and resources to pursue my dreams. They simply will never be shared dreams.
Having crashed and burned more than a fleet of kamikazes, perhaps she isn’t to be blamed for being absent from the cheer leading squad. What I’d really like to know is this - when do you acquiesce and give up on THE dream?
August 31st, 2010 at 11:58 am
Thank you so much for the inspiration! As a young recent college graduate, this really gives light to a currently dark situation for myself and many other college graduates. I would love to meet you someday!
August 31st, 2010 at 10:18 pm
[...] Inspiration to StartUp: Should YOU Follow Your Passions? Posted on August 31, 2010 by rxmedpartner Inspiration to StartUp: Should YOU Follow Your Passions?. [...]
September 1st, 2010 at 9:16 am
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! So many great comments! If anything, please never think you’re alone when you have a bad day in your business. It takes the bad times to truly appreciate the good ones! Hang in there!
September 2nd, 2010 at 4:04 am
Passion is what keeps our heart pumping. One should never give up his/her ambitions when facing obstacles because thats the truth. You are going to face obstacles in the long run. Just don’t get your hopes down because there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
September 9th, 2010 at 8:53 am
Marty, you’re at a critical point my friend!
I highly suggest you pull back and re-evaluate…not necessarily your passion, but your approach.
There are hundreds of things that need to work optimally/efficiently to catapult your business, sometimes one loose wheel or clogging part can keep the whole system from working.
I’d be happy to throw in my 2 cents if you email heather@glamajama.com with the specifics!
All the Best,
Heather Schuck
September 10th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
What makes starting your own business thrilling is the passion you gain from watching your customers benefit from your vision!
All the ventures that I’ve started inside and outside big companies have always focused on making my clients happy. If that is not part of your vision for success, then you’ll miss out on all the fun of launching your own business.
So, Heather, I can see how FitandFearLESS.tv will produce that benefit for your clients. Have a lot of fun with them!
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:23 am
Have you ever noticed that when you have successes in life-you are always there?
If you believe that we create our own reality…then you absolutely, unconsciously attracted those successes into your life; and it started with your thoughts–which easily turn into passions.