I have a confession to make.
I started my furniture refinishing business on Facebook only with the hopes that my furniture would be seen {and sell!} locally. That is it. That was all. There. I said it.
I never imagined {in a million years!!} I’d go viral on Pinterest and over 2500 {and counting!} of you would make your way to my Facebook page or that so many of you would visit my blog here daily. And I certainly never imagined you all would want ME to teach you how to do what I do. It blows my mind on a daily basis, really!
I get so many questions everyday about how I do this or that and unfortunately it’s gotten to the point that I can no longer keep up. In a way that excites me and in a way it makes me sad because I figure there has to be a way to do it all. Right?!
Anyway, I’ve found myself scrambling to try and figure out how to keep up with my internet traffic and still run my furniture business. I think I have it figured out with the how-to videos but since I never imagined I’d be teaching people how to do what I do, I have a lot of catching up to do. It’s a lot more work than I realized getting set up to do videos but if I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it the right way. You can find my YouTube channel, here.
I know you guys want tutorials and I promise you that I am listening. See, the thing is, my dreams just weren’t big enough. Without of all of you showing me I did not know the effect my work could have and therefore I was totally unprepared for all the traffic and vast amounts of emails I now receive on a daily basis.
And all the while I’m thinking is this really happening? It’s funny how when your dreams are coming true you kind of feel like it’s an out of body experience. I do anyway. It’s like I’m watching this happen to someone else. And that’s probably a good thing because if I stayed inside myself I’d most likely explode from all of the excitement.
You all have taught me something really important. Your dreams should be as big as they can be. They shouldn’t just include your town, they should include the world… The universe even! I mean, really, what are dreams if they are so small you achieve them and then you don’t know where to go from there?
I read a blog post by Miss Mustard Seed recently where she talked about “putting it out there”. Kind of like that book, The Secret, where you put your dreams out there and they come back to you like a boomerang. When I went away to the Southern Bloggers Conference I saw a beautiful wreath being offered as a giveaway and I decided I’d try this whole “put it out there” thing and see what happened. So I said, ‘I am going to win that wreath. I’m putting it out there’. And you know what? I won that wreath.
So here goes.
– I would love to have a successful YouTube channel full of great tutorials!
– It would be awesome to be featured in a magazine like Country Living, Folk, Southern Living, Better Homes & Garden. Could you imagine?! I would die.
– A brick and mortar store. One of these days!
– I want to be a paint retailer for all the times you guys ask me, ‘What kind of paint do you use?’
– I’m waiting to hear back on a few opportunities today. I hope I get them!
– A Lowe’s Creative Ideas Blogger. Again. I would die.
– I want to be on the Martha Stewart show. I can’t help it. I love Martha Stewart!
– I want my dreams to be big and stay that way because I deserve it. And my children deserve that as an example.
This is so unlike me. I do not easily believe in myself. I do not think I can do things others can’t and I certainly have never imagined that anyone would consider me inspiring. But that’s always been my problem.
After that conference, and with the support from you all, I’ve decided to make my dreams as big as they can be. And I’m putting it out there.
When I was little I believed I could do anything. Over the years I lost that faith. Probably because life is hard, the world can be cruel and you tell yourself there can be no disappointment without hope. But there can be no life without hope either and I want to live. If you haven’t ever read my About Me section, I invite you to do so. There was a time in my life where I felt like giving up and I’ve slowly clawed my way out of that abyss. I’m still clawing. But my dreams are big and they are going to stay that way.
There. I said it.
You go girl! You will do these things! Take one opportunity at a time and run with it! I believe in you! You have great talent and a heart of gold! So glad we met at Southern Bloggers Convention. I am honored to have gotten the opportunity.
Thank you so much Kim! The pleasure was all mine. I enjoyed the conference more than you know. I am glad to call you a friend!
Wow. I cannot wait. I think you will look at this list one day (as you pass it) and say…..WOW God’s plans were bigger than my dreams! I have fear. Fear of putting my dreams out there. You have challenged me and I THINK given me a new life verse. Eek! It is your turn Jamie. You told me I helped make changes in your life….you may be empowering me to make changes in mine. I hope I can be as brave. Love, Me www.youaretalkingtoomuch.com
His plans ARE bigger than mine. Thank the good Lord! And you were and are an inspiration to me. I will never forget that. If you hadn’t done that table and chair set, who knows, maybe I wouldn’t be doing this. And you were so kind to respond to my questions. I will never forget that either. I have a fear of putting my dreams out there, too. I wrote this days ago and was very nervous last night knowing it would publish today. And by the way, you had surgery. while awake. voluntarily. You ARE brave enough!!
Girl, you are going to accomplish all of this — and with style.
I can’t wait to follow along with you on this journey. You’re so amazingly talented and in so glad you’ve been able tO climb out of that abyss.
Amy that conference was life changing to me. It honestly was. It was great to meet you all. Thanks so much for supporting me. Having people far more talented than me in my corner is amazing and is yet another thing that blows my mind! Thank you!
Beautiful, very well said. You will do great things!
Thank you so much Tami! I appreciate you saying that!
I love this post and I love your “About Me” section. I’ve been very “do it by hand” for a long time, and even more so since I quit working a few years ago. When I hit 40, I started attacking furniture. Now I know why. A 2nd chance. Yep. We’ve all survived some “stuff”, and I see me re-creating my life through the things I make with my hands. Right now my husband and I are turning 2 old bookshelves into a huge built-in with storage and a window seat. It’s slow work, so I’m calling it “The Beast” right now, but I’m sure it will be great! Thanks for the inspiration!! MARTHA STEWART here YOU COME!!!
Thank you so much for sharing some of your story with me and for your support. You’re right, we’ve all had our share of battles. Good luck to you if I ever do make it to Martha I’m going to give a shout out to you all!
As my 2 year old tells me all the time “You can do anything you put your mind to” (via the Fresh Beat Band). I don’t doubt that I will be seeing you featured in my Southern Living any day now! Just keep at it. You will have bad days, but just think positive and persevere!
From the mouths of babes, right?! Thank you so much for your support! You can do anything you put your mind, too and so can I!
I love every word! You are going to do amazing things, I just know it!
Jess
Thank you very much Jessica! Your support means the world. I am so grateful!
It can be all that you want it to be Jamie! You certainly have a great start! Best wishes to you.
Thank you Debbie!
Your story is inspiring and one that I hope to write for myself. This post reminds me that success as a blogger and furniture refinisher is more than possible with some try and perserverence. I hope to see you next year at the Southern Bloggers Conference once I move to Texas and officially become a Southerner in spirit and location.
Keep working! Glad you give me something to read every day.
Good luck to you Heather and thanks so much for your support!
You’re so inspiring! I have the same issue with trying to believe in myself and thinking if I don’t aim as high I won’t be disappointed if those dreams aren’t realized. So keep it up and thanks for the uplifting post!
Oh Kelsey I totally understand but don’t do that! Aim higher than high! Thank you!
Sounds like you need a public relations practitioner. She could help you manage all the operations, media and public fans. God speed to you; you are one talented sister!
THIS is such a wonderful blog and such an inspiring post! I will be spending a lot of time here AND recommending it. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience in such an authentic voice! I am new to blogging and always so encouraged when I find a more experienced blogger admitting to the insecurity associated with “putting yourself out there”. PLEASE keep up the great work!
Cindi
You have made my day! Thank you and welcome to blogging!