Yesterday I woke up to a huge snowstorm and found myself wishing I had bought the ingredients for Waffles with Honey-Caramelized Peaches + Créme Fraiche. I wasn't about to brave the elements in my little mini cooper, which surely wouldn't get far. I spent the afternoon organizing my closet, catching up on blogs I love, and started a mood board. Someone had recommended a mood board as a way to zero in on all of your goals and aspirations in life. It made me realize how much I would love to open my own business.
Do you ever dream of opening your own place? A quaint little flower shop? Fancy cupcake shop? One of a kind boutique? Relaxing little coffee house? What steps have you taken to make it happen? If you have already taken the leap, what advice can you give to others?
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What a lovely post! The pictures area beautiful and yes, many times I've dreamed of owning my own little coffee shop but since I have quite a bit of experiencing managing restaurants, shops, etc. I know the reality is far different from the pictures. It's nice to dream.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
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It is always a treat to wake up to your blog dear heart. Snow in Boston and a mini cooper are not an ideal match, but it sounds like your alternative activity for the day was a productive one! I hope you feel accomplished and ready to TACKLE a new project! Love the pics as usual! ENJOY SUNDAY BRUNCH! Oh, carmelized peaches? Dang that sounds fabulous.
ReplyDeleteAnita
You're such an inspiration with your hopeful dreams and enchanting photos. I turned my passion into a business, Windy Corner herbs & flowers, many years ago. I loved that shop so much, but it came crashing down along with a marriage. My advice to others: be certain it's something you love doing because it takes commitment and time.
ReplyDeleteI wake up everyday saying "this is the day to make things happen" ha.. think i relate to this girl...
ReplyDeleteYes I have dreamed about my boutique but sadly i haven't gone further than choosing the name of the store and writing down the name/webpage of wholesale suppliers i like. I am going really slow and hope i could visit at least 2 this year. Enjoy your sunday dear debbie and good luck with your project!!
I took the leap about a year and half ago when my real life job as a nurse manager became very stressful and I thought to myself "am I happy??" My love for antiques and my dream of owning my own business came to life and Chic Home & Antiques was born. I still have to keep my real life job for all those important matters such as health insurance and 401k etc, but I have been able to balance both miracously. I am happy I took the leap as you say Deb- life is a party live it accordingly. I don't want to go through life wishing I always had. Thank you for your inspirational photos.
ReplyDeleteDebby-
ReplyDeleteI think about that frequently, and I plan to do something about it!
Hope that you are having anise weekend.
Teresa
xoxo
You find the most wonderful photos! I find myself using them for my screensavers all too often!! I too have wanted to open my own business. To date my fear of failure has stopped me from doing so. Oh, don't get me wrong, I've filed the paperwork (only a few months ago actually) but am too afraid to fully take the leap. My real life work is in politics, which is uber competitive and largely male dominated. But to have a super girly, lovely shop that allows me to explore my creative side - yep, that's this girls dream! So maybe there's safety in numbers - you and I can leap together! You do yours and I'll do mine! :)
ReplyDeleteThat second picture is breathtaking.I actually dreamt of my own shop and opened it, it was a big success (high end gift shop) I had a partner and she relocated to the East coast and I got too busy raising a family so we sold it. I do miss it many days and when my kids graduate from school, I hope to open another small business again. There is tremendous satisfaction in seeing something from the ground up, but it is also a tremendous amount of work, so you really have to do it because you love it.
ReplyDeleteYou can do it Debby......I too, am in the process of evaluating my dreams and making plans to set the ball in motion....go you!
ReplyDeleteA Lifestyle Blog where Fashion, Décor & Cooking “connect”
ok twelve coats ... maybe jacket i have 12 yes lovely
ReplyDeleteHello Debbie, it is my dream to have a flower shop...at the same time be stylish (trying) as your beautiful models in your photos! My only advice, life is short, follow your passion and your dreams! With the same principle, I followed mine and you can too! www.theverbenacottage.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for your inspirational posts!
maryann.
Beautiful photo's and fantasy. I hope you one day start your own business! I sometimes think about but I have no clue if its really really something I want.
ReplyDeleteYou had me at WAFFLES!!! Oh to have a little boutique ... for me it would be tea and chocolate related... I've been taking baby steps making sure that tea really is a passion. I'm happy to say that it (tea) continues to brighten my day and just thinking about it (tea), I start to dream, and hope one day to make it reality!! ...
ReplyDeleteMy friend, your creativity and imagination is perfect for a flower boutique! Follow your dreams ... baby steps ... then leap in with heart and soul! If it's your passion, the success is just waiting... Happy Sunday, xo HHL
You should definitely open your own business Debby -- You would make a fantastic businesswoman!
ReplyDeleteThe waffles sound delicious! How fun would it be to own that floral shop as pictured above, or a boutique filled with the those feminine, romantic things were all enjoy? Go for it Debby! You only live once :)
ReplyDeleteDebby you should do it...you have all the ingredients for being successful. The one element you need besides for the talent which you already have is the ability to overcome your fears, step outside your comfort zone, truly believe in yourself and the just DO IT!
ReplyDeleteSomeone recently chased me down to be their creative social media marketing consultant and at first I was like, "Are they seriously willing to pay me for this? Why?" Then I realized I have an ability that a lot of people don't and that has value. I made up a title, wrote a proposal and cringed in fear as pressed the send button on the email. The next day I got the job without any negotiation at all. Woohoo. And I'm still afraid, but it's people that step off the ledge in the face of their fear that are successful. Keep us posted as to what you end up doing and how you go about it and keep inspiring!
xo
Sharon
My sister and I have always talked about opening a little home bakery when we are older and no longer want to work full time in our professions. I would love to be a freelance writer and author some books of my own, I suppose that counts as working for myself.
ReplyDeleteI think you should go for your dreams Debby! Whatever it is that you long to do, reach for it! The talent and passion you pour into this blog will serve you and show only a fraction of what you are capable of.
Sorry I haven't been leaving commets Debby I've been trying but blogger wouldn't let me...hopefully they're done messing with me. I've opened my own business over twenty years ago and have loved it, mostly, ever since. The only advice I would give is to simply do it. Make up your mind what you want to do, get a great accountant in place and if you don't know anything about business takes a few classes there are plenty out there. Don't think you're only going to work a forty hour week either it's going to be more like 50-60 hours a week but for me it's been heaven!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck and I know you can do it!
XX
Debra~
She sounds like my kind of girl: 12 trench coats, coral lipstick & striped tees! Oh yes!! And CREME FRAICHE!!! I LOVE everything it graces!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog today! :)
I hope this new week is filled with joy. <3
Keri
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry... My comment posted twice. I deleted one.
ReplyDeleteWhen my ex decide to end are marriage, I was living in Mexico at the time, but was living there only for a short period of time, just enough to learn the culture and make few good friends...
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I did when I came back home to my parent with a few luggage's and my dog under my arm...
Being 45, with a longtime dream of my own and no one to stop me from opening my girly shop call Mademoiselle Rose!
It was the best 2 years,and the beginning of a new chapter in my life!!!
Just do it...xo
i love this :) and i love how you incorporate your readers dreams, realities, feedback, and input into your posts! so amazing! well though i am fresh out of school as of May, the goal is to open my own store... one of decor and fashion :) but first i must buckle down and save save save! cant wait for the dream to be a one day reality!
ReplyDeleteGolden White Décor
ps... you have such exquisite taste and style, your store would be a hit! and you have the computer skills, you could easily have a webstore in addition to a store front! it would be PHENOMENAL!! xx
ReplyDeleteYES YES YES to it all! :)
ReplyDeleteI've been kicking around some ideas of a shop in my head for awhile now... we'll see...
ReplyDeleteI love that you have a mood board, they're really great! xo
I had a little home decor shop about 15 years ago when I was very young. I adored it - but we had to relocate for my guy's work and so I had to close it. I still think about having a shop again someday. oh! And I had a mini up until we moved to Ireland - it was awesome in the snow! The stability control, cornering, 6 airbags - it was the best car I've ever owned in the snow, despite its 5" ground clearance that was often more like a plow on unplowed roads.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this series and your blog. Such an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Have a gorgeous day, may it be filled with loads of smiles.
xx
Yum! Definitely going to try that recipe!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be my own boss... Hmmm... maybe have my own little fashion boutique...
~ Clare x