GOODBYE TO 2012

SO LONG 2012...

It's a bittersweet thing to say goodbye to an old year.  So many memories, moments and magical times that have to be put away like summer clothes so you can enjoy the warm clothes required by winter.

2012 was an interesting year for me personally but even more so professionally.  Creatively Yours is my baby, an infant trying to walk and hopefully run at full speed sometime in the near future.  I believe in this business, my clients and the goals we have set collectively.

I march towards 2013 boldly, taking with me the lessons of 2012, the ups and downs, the triumphs and the trials.  I have no problem making mistakes, learning from them and moving forward.  My motto for 2013 is "fall down 7 times, get up 8!"  Those that know me personally know that I fall a lot!  Yet I always get up and walk again.  It's the way of life and business.

Everything I touch is not going to make me millions of dollars, but the goal is to touch every project and client and leave it better than I found it.

We salute you 2012.  You are now a vital part of our past.  We confidently welcome 2013.

Happy New Year to All!

~Creatively Yours~

A Special Saturday Post

Keepin It Real Saturday!

I'm having early morning chat with my business partner, ranting about something not work-related and I said that's it...this is KEEPIN' IT REAL SATURDAY!  Where you say whatever's on your mind and KEEP IT REAL.  The only caveat is I want it to stay as positive as possible!  

So who's with me?  I have a lot of page views on this blog but very few responses, so set up your Blogspot account and let's chat!  Who wants to keep it real today?

I'll begin!  The Kwanzaa principle of today is Ujaama.  Collective Economics!  It stresses the importance of owning our own businesses and SUPPORTING the businesses of those we know. 

As quiet as it's kept, Kwanzaa principles are not just for Black people.  They are life lessons that if followed (or adopted) throughout the year can help to build a stronger community and nation.  It takes ideas like Collective Economics to make small businesses thrive!

I'm proud to say that at Creatively Yours we strive to help the collective.  Sometimes it's not about the dollar or what someone can do for you.  It's about helping each other get to the next level.

I look forward to your feedback.  Join me on this Keepin' It Real Saturday!

Peace and Help Someone Today!

~Creatively Yours~

Important

I spent the last few days creating a tapestry in my mind of what I want the next 6 months to look like professionally and personally.  Some pretty drastic changes have occurred in this last quarter of 2012 and instead of being fearful (my usual m.o.), I am excited and expectant.

I had a very hard choice to make at the end of October and some would say I made the wrong choice.  But in essence it would have been what was wrong for them, not me.  I am "known" for making choices and saying, I vow to have no regrets and I will deal with whatever the consequences of my choice will be.

Last night I had a short talk with my nieces/daughters and nephew/son about the changes I made in October.  They looked at me like I was crazy, but in the end I told them "I had to decide what was most important to me, and the decision then became easy to make.  So I encourage you to always make those kinds of decisions in your own lives."  I felt proud to stand before them and let them know that it's ok to turn around and walk in a different direction when you don't like where you are headed.  A valuable life-lesson for 3 teenagers to witness.

With all that said, February 14, 2013 is shaping up to be the next "open door" of my life and Creatively Yours will play a pivotal part in all that is to come.  All of the pieces are falling into place so beautifully and I could not be more humble or amazed at what happens when you ask God to show you something new.  I made a decision to prioritize certain things in my life and decide what was really important and right now, it's working. 

There may be days when I question everything, but I know in my heart that what's truly important will always bubble to the surface.

I encourage and support anyone who is willing to look into their own lives and prioritize themselves and their dreams.

Sunday Blessings.  ~Creatively Yours~

ALL OR NOTHING

Sometimes in life we have to make choices that don't necessarily jive with what we want, but it's definitely what we need.

Some things have to be let go in order for others to thrive.  Having your own business is a commitment to yourself but more importantly to your clients.  

Creatively Yours is my dream.  This dream has been reincarnated many times throughout my relatively short life.  I've been challenged with when to start this business, what direction it should go in and where do I want the business to be one year after launching.

Having a new business brings to mind the "all or nothing" concept.  You either give it your all, or you end up with nothing.  It consumes your life for a while, taking your all, or if you give nothing, you get nothing.  I'm sure you get my drift.  It's like a stay at home mom choosing raising her children full time over going back to that full time job.  This business deserves my full attention, and I intend to give it my all.

Happy Holidays.  Creatively Yours (ARC)

THIS IS A TEST...it's only a test...

I took two tests today to restart another part of my cash-flow situation so that I can continue to do my Creatively Yours projects with no interruptions.  I hope to have a part-time "day job" so I can focus on CY full time.

The first test I have taken about 10 times before.   In my "youth" I called it an "idiot test".   Sample Question:  Where does McAfee get filed?  Between A-B or C-Z?  

I used to pass this test with flying colors.  Not so much anymore.  Had me wondering "who is the idiot now?"  lol

The second test was brand new info.  Stuff I thought I knew but I realize now (and after consulting with an expert) that I know nothing.  I got a few right, but not nearly enough to score high enough to be called for a job.

So there it is...another test...another path I am trying/walking/crawling on in order to reach some new goals.  Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

DECEMBER DREAMING...

November was a risk taking month.  A time to look at my life and say "let's go this way now".  I'm excited about the new possibilities for Creatively Yours.

In November one of our clients (P-Love's Smokin' Rub) had his first public showing of the rub and sold out within 2 hours!  The presentation was great, the Rhodes Pharmacy in Hummelstown, PA is gorgeous and the Christmas spirit was already in the air!

Client T.L. Waid (www.waidbooks.com) had her first book signing and sold a few books!

Also in November, our client Studio Solomon had an energizing preview class for a new offering coming soon...(the picture below only tells part of the story...) 

Now I'm December dreaming about what we can accomplish together this month.  I have a meeting with a prospective new client next week and the current client list is on fire with new projects.

This is all a collaborative effort.  It's made up of regular people who stepped outside of their comfort zones to do something "extra" that they really love.  Join us on the adventure as we dream big and work hard.  

~ Creatively Yours