around here

Around here I wind up with glitter in my hair and thread stuck to my pants, daily.  Sometimes I pause in the middle of a project to reflect on what I'm doing, how did I get here?? What am I even doing right now?



Around here the end of the year inches closer and all the things I want to get done before its over or all the things I want to prepare for are making their way on to one long list.  



Around here I make pretty things and build friendships with people far away.  I send off little pieces of my heart to others who are a part of this amazing story.  

Handmade-Independent-Small Business- Big Dreams.


I've been my own boss for a very long time- as a hairstylist, salon owner and photographer- I was used to being a business owner.  This for some reason is different.  If you would have told me five years ago that I would have given that all up to be doing this, I would have slapped you.  Ok maybe not, but I would have called you a liar.  When things get so busy like they are now, its good to stop and appreciate.  Appreciate where you came from, what you are doing and where you will go.

Are you doing your dream job or do you have plans to?  I'd love to hear your story, please share below!

27 comments:

  1. Love This! So proud of you- I miss you doing my hair, but seriously you can just see how much happier you are =) xo

    roxy

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  2. I love this post -- will definitely come back to read the comments. I need to get inspired!

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  3. I know that pause and reflect feeling, for me it often ends with an oh my gosh so much to do get back to work NOW!

    I've been doing the working for myself thing, and the wanting to just work for my passion thing for 2.5 years now. It's hard to say if it's been successful or not, but it's still growing and I'm still loving it so I guess that's something. For me, battling procrastination with focus and determination are key.

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    1. I think its hard to find a balance when you need to work and when you want to create. Its really easy to just wing it and make it up as your go and I actually think that its the most fun part of this whole thing!

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  4. Also, thanks for sharing the decal!

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  5. Kasey Lurvin06 December, 2012

    I just finished Beauty School this summer because I have wanted to be a hairstylist and makeup artist for as long as I can remember. I'm 34 and have 4 kids and I had to take care of them before I took care of me, but I told myself if I didn't go after my dream I would be miserable. So sure, I'm starting late- but every day when I go to the salon I'm happy. This is what I want to do and it took a while to get here, but it is so worth it! Never give up on your dreams!

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  6. I left my corporate job in May to work as a freelance web designer & circus performer. A lot of times I get so wrapped up in my to-do lists I have to remember to take a minute to sit back and marvel at the fact that I am the boss and can do whatever I want. I'm still figuring out the work/play balance since I turned both my hobbies into a career, but so far it's been mostly exciting to be the one steering the ship.

    Sarah // SillyGrrl.com

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    1. This is so amazing. I follow you on twitter and it always looks like you are doing something fun- so neat to see what you do I seriously had no idea you were juggling the two!

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  7. I'm not creative enough to ever make a living off of it. . . kudos to you! I do have my dream job though - I'm a research assistant at a big state school neuroscience lab in Dallas and it's so exciting.

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    1. Well miss smarty pants that awesome! I think if you are running a business, working your dream job, not working at all haha .. whatever it is, as long as its what you want to be doing and what you have to be doing then thats awesome! :)

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  8. I feel like my dream job always changes! A couple years ago I would say what I am doing now would be my dream job but now what I am doing it I'm always thinking of what else my dream job would be. So indecisive...I work in the wedding industry so it always has its highs and lows :)

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    1. I'm right there with you, I changed majors so many times before just dropping out and going to beauty school. I did that, threw in the photography, wanted to do business.. its never enough. Its fun that way though, right?

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  9. alicia-jane Bartlett06 December, 2012

    Hi Heather! I've been following your blog for awhile now. I'm one of those friends you have that live far far away lol Im an aussie :) I've just started my own handmade business {zac and zoe} with lots of hope that I can make it a successful full time business. I'm a big dreamer and have lots of ideas and plans and reading your post just inspires me even more :)
    Thankyou!!! xxx

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    1. Congrats on your new business!! Please share a link so I can check it out and offer a little support :) So great you are working towards your goals and dreams! xo

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    2. Thank you!!
      its zacandzoe.storenvy.com
      I'm still working on things (lots more stock/products) so its not perfect ;)
      & saving my $$ to get my blog designed..
      I got very excited when I saw your pic on instagram about independent business guidance!!! lol :)
      Thankyou Heather!! xx

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  10. It feels like you were speaking to me! I've always loved handmade and finally started a business from home (jadiecakes). I spend lots of time talking to my sewing machine. It is the hardest job I have done. Sometimes I just need to stop and take a moment to enjoy the success. Congratulations to you!

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    1. It really is hard to be your own boss, but thats a sacrifice we make to do what we love. At the end of the day (and after all that talking/cursing at your machine) I bet you love every minute, just like me! :)

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  11. LOVE your Blog!
    I love to do what I daily do - pdstudiosstore
    my goal is to do it full-time, but just like anyone I have responsibilities and i'm afraid if I leave my regular day job I will not be able to take care of all the 'financial' responsibilities. But I know that eventually I will have to take the big step and do it - just don't know when! >>> Congratulations for being so courageous and be your own boss!

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    1. I set a goal when I decided to do this full time. I made sure to have a back up plan, some savings and a clear business plan that would ensure all my new time doing it wouldn't be wasted and instead make it just as beneficial as I would have hoped so I could quit it all in the first place. As long as you have some clear goals in mind and work really hard you will know when its right to pursue it full time!

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  12. Such a great post! I just started doing my own thing in April. Decided that the sorporate world wasn't for me, that I needed to be creative in my own way. I have stared freelance writing and have found it so freeing to do what I want, when I want and live up to my creative potential. It's only the beginning, but the biger the dreams, the better the payout :)

    www.notesfromtheslife.com

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    1. Congrats on working for yourself! It can be scary so yay for taking the plunge and feeling free!

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  13. I agree!! I am only a few months in to being self employed but SO often I think "Is this for real?" "How did this happen?" It's so amazing and special! xo JA

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    1. I remember when I first started following you and seeing that you were still going to work everyday, but I knew you were insanely busy with your shop- I would think 'how the heck is this girl doing this, will she ever quit her job?' and I was sooooo happy you got to the point of being able to do that! Its so fun to have that flexibility of your own schedule hand in hand with doing what you love, so proud of you for doing that.

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  14. My current job isn't my dream job... but after NaNoWriMo I've realized I need to work on my writing more, to see if something can really come from it. It's so scary but very exciting!

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  15. such a great post! I have been doing this full time for two years and I am constantly pinching myself. it's an awesome, crazy, at times heart breaking and frustrating, but mostly awesome life :),

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    1. Totally! Sometimes I want to throw it all in and say 'peace out' over one bad incident, then I sit and reflect on all the good ones.. and I snap out of it!

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