Giving Thanks

This week we "give thanks" for so many things in our lives and I want to give thanks for some great business women that have helped me without even knowing it. This year brought about a huge change in my life. A dream that I have had for over 20 years finally came to be, and what helped it along the way was looking to other women that have made it happen or had their own dreams they were striving for.  I had read books, blogs, magazines, you name it.  But none of those can motivate and teach you the way a real life person, friend, mentor or role model can!  

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I'm thankful for having met Shell Venus.  She is the owner of Funky Junk Boutique in Seville, OH.  I met Shell when I first left my job to start my business at home in my garage. I went on the hunt for paint and found her shop and have enjoyed every trip to Seville ever since!  She had just opened her own shop and was so happy to share her story with me. It helped me to feel I had made the right choice.... look at this awesome woman that just "went for it" and it's working! Maybe people really would like the things I wanted to make!  We have become great friends and I always appreciate her willingness to share advice.

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I'm thankful for having a wonderful role model in Gina Bishop of Home Girl.   I started following Gina's blog a few years ago and felt so inspired! Here was a woman making the "barn sales" work only a few times a year.  I held on to the idea... that you may not have to be a "store" in the typical form.  I watched her success rise and her barn sales grow and when I opened a shop of my own my sneaky daughter wrote Gina about how she has inspired me to be courageous, and Gina was sweet enough to come to my opening day! She later invited me to participate in her last Barn Sale, where I had a blast! We have kept in touch and  she is still "going for it".   I love that she still strives for more and follows her evolving dreams, and I truly appreciate her advice.

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I'm also thankful for meeting super "go getter" Melissa Smith, of 1820 House. Finding her shop was such a happy accident, and we hit it off right away!  She left a corporate job and followed her dream in 2009.  4 years later she still hand pours her candles and is crazy busy with stockists all over the country, shows at art fairs and constantly developing new scents and lines for her growing company.  And what a great motivator.  She is so much like me in that her brain never stops. The day after I met her we were Facebook chatting at 4am and discovered we have so much in common.  She has since come up with ideas to combine our efforts and perhaps do some joint ventures in the future.  She is the one that will keep me thinking about the future and new possibilities and not settle for what I have accomplished so far.

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Lastly and most importantly I'm thankful for having the inspiration of Jessica Kinsinger.  Jessica has most recently taken the leap.... she left her job to "go for it" and is now a full time artist and it's paying off big time!  Sassyfrass is growing faster than her fingers can design. Once she  trusted in herself and her amazing talents, she blossomed, and it's been wonderful to witness!  In addition to being a talented designer, her eye for vintage treasures is fantastic and definitely a business direction I hope she follows. She is a wonderful friend that constantly reminds me I'm capable of more than I think I am. Our friendship has grown over the years and it's that friendship that leaves me feeling like a "proud mama" watching her business grow. 

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There are so many more strong creative women and business owners I have met through this new adventure and I am always excited to hear from them and follow their accomplishments!  It's support through others successes, advice and even mistakes that help women to grow and follow their dreams.

I'm thankful this Thanksgiving for so many things happening within my family and extended family  right now.  Thankful for all I have and for all the friends and family that love me.  But this year I needed to add these women and their parts in my own success.  Thank you!