“Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.” – Angela Monet
“If the business you’re in is so great, why are you so broke?” Have you ever had to answer that question, or some variation of it? We have.
Don’t take it personally. It’s simply because they don’t know what you know. They don’t see what you see. They don’t hear the music pounding louder, and louder, and louder.
By the time they do, everyone will.
You hear it because you’re tuned in. You happened to have caught a glimpse of something in the distance heading this way and you recognize it as opportunity.
If you’re working hard to sell enough online to actually make a living from it, you’re probably the only person in your “real life” circle of friends and family doing that. You’re probably the first person to try.
Eventually, they will. Eventually, the price you have to pay, the time you have to invest, the steps you have to take, the long hours which work out to about 50-cents an hour, will all be understood and expected.
People understand today that if you want to be a doctor, you have to spend about ten years in school after you finish high-school. It’s going to cost you a few hundred thousand dollars before you get paid a dime. When you do get paid a dime, it won’t be very many dimes, at least not for another few years.
Finally, after about fifteen years, you’ll be a highly paid and highly successful physician.
Put that same level of smarts and effort into an online business today, and you can reach a similar level of success in 1/3 the time (or less).
- You can do it from home (no matter where that is)
- You can do it at age 14, age 41, or age 75
- You can do it while you raise kids
- You can do it creating things you love and are passionate about (in fact, that’s a requirement)
- You can do it.
- You can do it.
- You can do it.
Just Hold Your Ground and Press On
My hope for you is that the people who matter most in your life do get it. Because it’s a tough row to hoe when you’re battling for the understanding and support of those whose opinions matter most to you.
For those that really matter, try and convince them to spend some time with you online, maybe reading the stories about Etsy Sellers Who Quit Their Day Job, or looking with you at some of the sellers in your own niche who are successful already. Hopefully, with a little loving effort, you can get them on-board. Support is a huge component of success. (you can always get support right here!)
For the rest of the naysayers, just smile back knowing that you hear the music today. The same music they will hear tomorrow. And you’ll be an expert dancer.
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Absolutely fantastic post! Thank you…there are times where words are a giant inspiration…and this is one of those times! ♥
Melissa 🙂
art savvy studio
.-= Melissa McGraw-Petrusch´s last blog ..Glass Pendant – Circle – print of original digital illustration – "Warmth" – Avocado Green =-.
What an amazing post! Thank you so much. I am a new blogger (and want to start a small business soon) and new follower, love your blog! Thanks for doing what you do!
.-= Natassia´s last blog ..My Wish List! =-.
This is a great post! My family has always supported creativity, but the message was that something more “stable” was needed to support yourself. I’m so glad that the internet has afforded more opportunities for the creative. I’m lucky that my husband is supportive but he gets confused as to why I am starting on this now (I want something for when my kids start school so hopefully I can stay home with them longer). I am trying to explain that these businesses take awhile to grow so I have to start now 🙂
.-= Beth´s last blog ..Comment on Thrift of the Week- The Afghan by admin =-.
I’ve danced to a different drum all my life and tripping the light fantastic is always the most satisfying! Thanks for the additional ‘spark beneath my taps’!
.-= MCatherine´s last blog ..joansproductreviewsandgiveaways Prayer Heart Winner =-.
Thank you so much for this post. I really am having a hard time with my Husband with this issue. I have had my own small retail shop before and now I am quitting my day job to pursue it again, just in an online setting instead of a brick and mortar setting. I hope you have a wonderful week.
.-= Katie ´s last blog ..E-Class Registration is Open =-.
Thank you for an amazing and inspiring post! Just what I needed this week.
LeAnn aka pasqueflower
.-= LeAnn´s last blog ..Vintage Singer Featherweight: The Little Sewing Machine That Could =-.
So true Kim, love this post…totally inspiring 😉 Luckily I have the support of my husband and kids (otherwise, I don’t know how I’d manage), but it would be super difficult to not have that. As a matter of fact, my kids think I have the coolest ‘job’ in the world, tee hee.
Hugs,
Jamie 🙂
.-= A Forest Frolic´s last blog ..A Glimpse from the Rearview =-.
Even if I have the support of my boyfriend, as he was the only one who knew how awfull I felt at my dayjob, when I tell people that I quit my awfull low-paid with no insurance job to open an online shop they look at me like I am an alien or sth. Ok I admit that here {in Greece} things are difficult. But give me a chance to try! Your post is very inspiring and filled me again with hope. My etsy shop will open at July 19th (my 24th birthday!). I hope everything will be ok…!
I am so glad I came across this post. I’ve been feeling pretty iffy and nervous about my commitment to doing what I love. I still haven’t been able to leave behind a “normal” job, but with the support of my husband and kind words like this, it really puts a boost in my morale.
I am just starting an etsy shop and I’ve been kind of discouraged. And I totally know what you mean about people who don’t believe in it. Your blog helped boost my spirits! Thank you so much!
I just turned 16 years old, and I own a business. Ms Madeline’s Tutus. Are there any resources for *younger* business owners you recommend checking out? Thanks!