[Pure Bliss] My Vision for My Career

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Lauren

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Nov 28, 2012, 7:45:20 PM11/28/12

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I've mentioned before that I've always known what I wanted to be when "I grow up." A fashion designer. In High School, I hesitated to tell people this for two reasons 1. I didn't want to hear the discouraging words that High School students tend to have and 2. I felt embarrassed because many people wanted to go on to careers that help others, while I just wanted to do something that I knew would make me happy. Now that I am older and wiser I know 1. to ignore the haters and 2. I can't help others until I help myself, so that means I need to have a career that will make me happy AND 3. I CAN help others and be a fashion (well...jewelry in my case) designer!

Over this past year I have really honed in on the vision that I have for my career.

Since I opened Peerless Charm, my vision has fluctuated between aiming small (a one woman show that will support myself) and big (see below.) While working from home as a one woman show would be great for starting a family, I can make such a huge impact if I really grow my business bigger than that. Honestly, I've been a little bit scared to share my vision for my business. I am a long ways away from it, and if I do not succeed, I don't want my failure documented. BUT failure is not an option, so here it goes!

I want:

8 full-time employees: I don't know why I chose the number eight, but the more I think about it, that number keeps popping up in my head! This seems super scary to me, because right now Peerless Charm doesn't support me full time. To think that I am asking myself to grow my business to support myself, and then multiply that by EIGHT is crazy talk! That being said, I also think about the fact that if I grow my business correctly, I will be giving eight people a chance to work in a great environment with great wages...and of course a great boss! ;-) I am working hard to be able to do something I love daily, and I hope that one day I can give others the chance to do the same.
Work from a studio (or shop) in Chicago: My employees and I will work daily in the beautiful city of Chicago!
Sales in a major department store, in addition to specialty boutiques across the U.S.: This goal may require more than 8 employees, but for the past few years I've walked into Carson's and have seen an Erica Lyons jewelry display set up right in the middle of the aisle. Every time I see it I think "someday there will be a department store with a Peerless Charm display just like that."
Fair Trade: While right now Peerless Charm is ethically sourced, I would like to grow it to something even bigger than that! My hope is that I can work with artisans in countries that can really use that boost in their economy to source our supplies, and improve their lives too.

Although right now this may seem like an impossible dream, creating smaller goals, one step at a time can get me there.

So, I plan to turn this massive goal into bite size goals, one month at a time. I'll call them monthly challenges! I'm taking the month of December off from approaching store buyers, since most shops have their holiday orders in by now. So, this month's challenge is to create a Press Release, and begin contacting bloggers and journalists with my media kit. Since I won't physically be seeking sales (besides my online marketing) this will be a great way to work on getting Peerless Charm's name out into the world.

Do you have a vision for your career that seems to large to handle right now? I'd love to hear what it is, and what you plan to do this month to actively take a step toward it! Please, leave a comment below, and let me know what it is.