I hate those exercises asking us to list out our goals for the next 5 to 10 years. What kind of anxiety inducing activity is that?! Also, why does everyone think it’s ok to pry into my personal business?
Do you remember those worksheets we had to fill out in middle or high school, writing down our goals, and what we wanted to “be” when we grew up? Yes, I hate those. The main reason why I hate them is because someone always comes along and questions my big dream.
Most of the time, I am embarrassed to share what my big why is or what my big dreams are. Someone always has to rain on my parade and tell me:
- Do you know how expensive it is to live in the penthouse of a building in New York City?
- Are you sure you’re going to be able to survive off of a salary like that?
- I don’t think you know how much work goes into owning your own business…
- That’s not a real job.
- You can’t really get paid for that…
- No, you can’t be sexy, cute, and glamorous and have people feeding you grapes out of their hands!
*JK, that last one isn’t actually one of my dreams. At least not the grape eating part, I don’t like when people try to feed me…
What is your “why”?
Running your own business can bring in a lot of freedom, flexibility, and a whole lot of jealousy. Entrepreneurship is tough, with so many different businesses and people, how easy is it to compare ourselves?
When I’m scrolling through Instagram, there are plenty of moments when I feel “not enough” or like I don’t have it all together because someone else’s squares look way more put together than mine. Someone looks more successful than I do, someone is creating webinars and group programs and I’m feeling all sorts of FOMO and frustration!
The one thing that keeps me sane through all of the comparison games and the hardcore FOMO is turning back to my why. Why I decided to create this business in the first place. The big reason why I choose to work with clients in the tourism and hospitality industry. Why I want to create a lifestyle like this one, as opposed to a standard 9-5 job with a salary and benefits.
I believe that once we uncover our main reason and our big dream, it helps us through the jealousy, FOMO, and competition traps. Our why is ours and that is the best part, no one can take that away from us!
Through each of my service packages, copywriting, content creation, and brand/blog strategy, I send my clients a large branding questionnaire. The questionnaire helps me understand what their business is about, why they created it, and what’s the main goal for everything they’re building.
Figuring out this aspect helps me understand how to strategize with them and help create copy that builds the type of lifestyle that THEY want. Not what someone else out there has, or “appears” to have on social media.
Before I hire anyone or work with anyone, I want to know why they’re doing what they are and what led them there.
Looking for resources to help you develop your why? Head to the Quirky Pineapple Studio Resource Library for freebies to help!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”2″ submit=”YES, PLEASE!”]
What’s the Quirky Pineapple Studio’s “why”?
Now that we’ve gotten that cleared up, I’d like to share with the Pineapplers my big why and my big dreams. And, if you have something to say about them, I welcome your cynicism! Really, I do, because I’ve decided this is what I want out of life and I’m going to go out there and get it. Full disclosure that my “why” may change overtime, and your “why” can change, too!
Read: 2017 Recap and Goals for 2018
o1. Making deep connections through writing and storytelling.
I am going to be bold and say that I knew I wanted to be a writer since I was in the 2nd grade. I came in to school dressed as one for Career Day (what do writers even dress like?) and was immediately told that “you know, writers don’t make a lot of money”. But, I didn’t care, I wanted to string together words, record memories, build sceneries, and share stories with the world. It wasn’t until I became more serious with my blog, that I realized my words were actually resonating with people.
Since then, I’ve decided I wanted to help small business owners and entrepreneurs do the same. I know we all have a spark inside us. The spark shows up when we talk about our why, it catches fire when we’re deep in work that feels meaningful to us. I see it and feel it when I work with clients who struggle to bring ideas to paper when describing their dreams!
There’s a little something that makes each of us excited and I love creating and using storytelling to capture that for someone else to share with their community! I want to find those words that tug at someone, so they can make a deep connection to you and your business.
o2. Building relationships and communities through hands-on events.
In-person events are my JAM. I love planning, hosting, creating, decorating, and all the details that go into it! In the 5th grade, I think I told my parents I wanted to be a wedding planner. I don’t want to be a wedding planner anymore, but I do love planning smaller scale events to bring people together!
Building relationships with people from all over the world, in all walks of life, and creating a small community with them is so special to me. While studying Hospitality Management in college, I learned how much I loved coordinating and planning small events.
I want to build strong relationships and communities for people who might need a little push or want to create meaningful connections. Having something hands-on to be the medium to do so is magic! Also, who doesn’t love a good workshop to learn something creative while meeting people at the same time?
My why is creating welcoming, safe, and warm places for people to feel comfortable to learn, share, and grow.
o3. Owning and operating my own Bed & Breakfast for my community.
My dream for owning and operating my own Bed & Breakfast was born after I watched a random chick-flick movie. Something about the setting, the ambiance, and the welcome-ness they portrayed about the Bed & Breakfasted really caught my attention. At that moment, I knew I wanted my own “space” where people can come and go.
The idea for the Bed & Breakfast started morphing into something else entirely. I thought about having a dance studio, art studio, photography studio, etc. I wanted a vineyard in the backyard and a vegetable garden full of fresh herbs. Of course there would be a large kitchen, the heart of any home (in my opinion), and a beautiful fireplace.
In essence, I want to create a Bed & Breakfast for travellers and artists, of any kind, to come and stay a while. I want the big kitchen for homemade recipes, large dining tables for family meals, and a garden providing all the best ingredients. My passion for hosting and taking care of people nearly knocks itself out of me while I’m typing this because the idea is so grandiose and magnificent, I get excited thinking about it!
A Bed & Breakfast for people to come, rest, connect, learn, and share with each other. That’s my big dream! A place to trade recipes, listen to stories, create in open spaces with adorned studios, and a kitchen that provides warm and hearty meals. A home with beautiful landscapes, nestled right in the middle of nature, and a large fireplace to sip wine and beer. A setting for open conversations, thoughtful debate, and kindness and warmth.
The Quirky Pineapple Studio is currently a virtual studio space. But my big dream is to have it become a physical location in the future! Maybe I’ll start small, with a studio offering workshops and classes, retreats, and a safe space. Then I’ll grow it to offer rooms for rent and a kitchen to use! Who knows, but the dream is there!
My two big “whys” and my big dream all tie into the activities I have loved since I was a kid. Writing, events, meeting people, and creating relationships with them. The idea actually knocks me off my feet because I get so fired up thinking about it! Those three points guide me in every decision I make towards my business. They are always floating in the back of my mind and help me when I feel defeated and frustrated.
What is your why(s)? Need help figuring one out? Share in the comments below!
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My Brand Relaunch: Introducing The Quirky Pineapple Studio
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