What have I gotten myself into?
I’m now the owner of a yet to exist small business. Meaning we’re still working out all the kinks. I’ve not been giving as much feedback, except where asked, as this is not as much of my project, but the huz’s .. Almost 2 months ago, I posed the question to him, “What would you want to do with the rest of your life if money was not an issue?” His response was he wanted to Fly. So, he started looking into what it would take. After some research, there were no jobs for him in that field out here where we live. - While he may not remember, I do. He gave up this line of search..and went looking for another way to support the family.
Now, Side note. For the last approximately 6 years, his job loss frequency has increased. I told him somewhere around 2010, it’s time to change career paths. Yes, 3 years ago. I’d seen the pattern increasing. The divine/fate had other plans for him. We had “toyed” with the idea previously of getting him his pilot’s license. However, because of the then current circumstances, it just wouldn’t have been attainable. I wonder if he remembers me telling him it’s probably a time for career change?
So, here we sit, with a business plan going into second draft, and the huz moving forward with getting funding for getting his commercial pilots license. We have set up an indegogo campaign http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/following-the-dream-to-reality/x/482351 . We only have a few tiers of “perks”, but we’re working on it. This is a life-long dream of his, to fly that is. I’ve gone as far as to suggest once the business is established, the non-profit we can create. It’s really and truly a brilliant idea. We live in a little touristy town. There’s not many opportunities for learning valuable life skills. So, I had proposed creating a flight school for kids to be able to learn. Of course anyone else could attend, but the focus would be on kids wanting to learn to fly. We want it to be affordable for them to learn. The only other really big career choice for this area is lobster fishing. The main business season here runs from April to November. At any rate, it’s an incredible undertaking. We could really use your support, in anyway you’d like to give it. Sharing my post, donating to the first ‘real’ phase of our business, or anything else you can think of.
This is more than just someone wanting their pilot’s license. It’s a dream, it’s a big one I’ll give you that, but it’s what my husband wants to do with the rest of his life and support his family in the process. I support him in his decision. Honestly, I’ve always loved the idea of flying as well. I just won’t pursue it until the time is right. I’m still working on building Twin Pixie Media & Gifts. (I’m all sorts of legal now ^_^)
Let me ask you, what would you like to see as a perk for donating in this first phase? It still feels a bit empty, and not friendly enough.
Please chime in. If your ideas are great and for us “do-able” we’ll add them in!
Wordless Wednesday
Equality For All!
The Business plan meeting..
Starting up a business, not a home-based one is VERY scary, yet Thrilling at the same time. For a month, the huz and I gathered information, trying to find the best ways to do so. The range of information varied. Much of the information was the same. Write a business plan. What is that, and how do you do it? What information is required?
LinkedIn has become a wonderful resource. Yes, I’ve also run up against the chauvinist male person who tried to tell me I wasn’t ready. (Look out dude, you just messed with the wrong witch.) I gave him quite the tongue lashing without cussing – a major feat – and I’ve not heard from him since. A side note; You don’t tell a person looking to start a business, crowd sourcing information from those who’ve actually done it, that they’re not ready if they can’t drive a couple hours for a class, without having all the information. Personally, if it’s not medically necessary, a 3hr drive each way, for a 2hr class once a week, is NOT economically sound for my situation. Anyway.
We, the Huz and I are meeting with a Gentleman from SCORE. (Service Corps Of Retired Executives.) We have a HUGE plan. So, I don’t want to reveal too much. Not until we’re on firmer ground. It’s a bit wild & crazy and obviously going to take an INSANE amount of work, but we’re ready.
The Meeting with SCORE this morning was informational. Learned what we need to change, and also, that i was right that we needed to insert a cost of operating, even if it’s washed out by other parts of the biz.
Our business plan has a great start, but we still have far to go. We were given tips for market research and also a marketing contact.
We’ll see where this goes.
A little business..
I don’t know that I’ve ever shared my jewelry business. I’ve got one, it’s tiny and it makes me happy. I’d love for it to grow. There is a newsletter that goes out monthly. I’ll post the link to it in a bit if you’re interested in receiving it. I occasionally put coupon codes in it.
Everything starts somewhere. My jewelry business is no exception. I’m self taught. Who knew that nearly 3 years ago, when I’d wanted to try and put a gemstone on top of my personal walking staff that it would lead to my love of making wire wrapped jewelry? Certainly not I. I’m good at it too! Artistic freedom, working with my hands, as much or as little color as I want, its just fabulous. I’ve been trying out some new techniques the last month or so. I’ve gone back to some projects that I’ve done last year, that still haven’t sold, and have re-worked them. There is a HUGE difference in my skill and talent, just in one year. I’ve learned more about wire, how it twists and bends, and about gemstones – I can identify many on sight.
It would be absolutely fantastic if my love of jewelry making could fund my goals for social media consulting. Who knows what the divine or the fates have in store. There’s an even bigger campaign i’m working on that when it takes off, *giggle* may just put my jewelry business to a side hobby completely. I would be pretty much forced at that time to focus on my Social media & Digital media consulting work.
Anyway, so that photo is just a sample of my earring wire work. There’s pendants in the store as well, as that’s my forte’. So, go check out my etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/twinpixiegifts I’m always open to custom orders!
If you’re interested in my monthly newsletter http://eepurl.com/wycjj
have a great week!
















