baby steps to the elevator

Do y'all remember this hilarious line from the movie "What About Bob?" It references Bill Murray's character taking small, courageous steps to overcome his fears and step into unknown territory. It's a little like starting your own business.

I left the corporate world in 2014, making the decision with my boys to save my soul and do my best to save our house! We all agreed, that little soul part, was the most important part. I hadn't a clue exactly what I would do, but ironically, months before, I had written it down.

While camping in the Smokies with the handsome man and visiting with the synchronous fireflies, I sat in the morning dew and paused to jot down what I wanted. One of the things I described was a desire to create and sell my needlepoint and earn enough to leave my high-pressure job. That was May 2014.

By September of 2014, I had opened my first Etsy shop, offering custom designed needlepoint stockings and pillows. I christened it L'ecureuil Joyful Needlepoint Art. (For those of you who don't know, and I'm sure there are plenty, l'ecureuil is French for squirrel). Business advice number one:

Don't name your business something you can't say.

first business card * design created by John Lee Studios, Todd, NC

On the first day I opened my shop, a Saturday as I recall, I received an order for four Christmas stockings. You can imagine my excitement at the sale, but more than that, I felt supported by the universe. I was moving along. (I would also be gone from the billion dollar, publicly traded company by November.)

In short time, I received orders from all sorts of clients - interior designers (#cecebarfieldthompson), celebrities, fashion designers (#antthonymarkhankins), tv networks (#syfychannel), artists (the #missionfantastic). My biggest supporters were regular kind human beings who wanted a custom Christmas stocking or a pillow, celebrating a momentous occasion or quite often, a beloved pet.

All this work was rewarding, but not enough to support our family. I happily worked for two years as a part-time marketing manager for #thegamekeeperrestaurant. (If you are ever within 8 hours of this fabulous 5-star restaurant, jump in you car and get yourself on over!) I learned a great deal from this position that would help me in self-promotion, so vital to a successful business. By early 2017, I was committed to finding a way to run with the business 100%.

My sister, niece and I came up with the idea to create needlepoint on cotton sateen. With this unprecedented process, we could easily share my designs and the look of needlepoint, at an accessible price point. (For more on this, please visit the "about us" section on the website.)

Pup Popstar, one of the first designs reproduced in cotton sateen.

Business advice number two:

Nothing is really that easy. But it's ok.

I will leap jump the work entailed in getting a tapestry to a printable, high-res file. If you've read this far, I just might lose you here! Suffice it to say, it's a mighty big step to a cotton sateen, velvet reverse with closed zipper, feather down pillow at 1/4 the cost of wool needlepoint!

The journey forward has been much like a roller coaster ride. Climb a hill. (That fabric looks awesome!) Careen down in sheer delight with hands in the air. (#chairishco chose me as their exclusive pillow artisan!) Or scream like a mad woman holding onto the bars for dear life! (Really? Only $21 profit on that $193 sale?!)

One year from the inception of Mommani Threads ( merged with l'ecureuil and a name you can say - moe - mah - knee) I find myself incredibly grateful and the happiest I've ever been. No, I'm not rich. No, Oprah, nor Uncommon Goods, nor Sundance Catalog have said, "you're our girl!", but I'm good. I'm solid. I'm here and am in the elevator moving up.

I leave with what I thought was the most beautiful and eloquent quote from Grant Worth's instagram account. He is a fabulous artist, living in Brooklyn, who shared his birthday joy with these words:

"Utterly overwhelmed and disoriented by the constant love, support, creativity, and playfulness of the hearts I find orbiting my own."

Business advice number three: it takes a village. Create your community and thank them, mention them, tag them, heart them, whenever possible. #jubbean * #xulxulxul * #heathertique * #goodeyehouseandstyle * #longstemrosie * #brmuseum * #eldeeny98 * #andmymom, who taught me to needlepoint.