do what you love Page 31 of 61

I’m back! I’m married! And I’ve got a new name!

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 Paul & Beth shadows

Wow, what an incredible few weeks it has been. First the wedding (amazing, so much fun!) and then the honeymoon (dreamy, wonderful) and now my new husband has quit his job to work for Do What You Love!!!

I have so much to tell you, and so much exciting news to share, but I am going to do it bit by bit.

Firstly – my new name! I am now called Mrs Beth Kempton! I think it will take me a couple of years to get used to it…

I hope you will excuse me if I am a little self-indulgent over the next few weeks, sharing lots of pictures from our honeymoon in Italy and then of the big day itself (those pictures are due in the next couple of weeks – can’t wait!).

It was such a treat to take 5 weeks off to focus on this precious time, and I look forward to reflecting on all the details of it on this blog over the coming weeks.

We have a brand new website and lots more exciting news coming in June, but until then, forgive me for making this place wedding central!

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I'm back! I'm married! And I've got a new name! ABSPD LOGO 550X250PX LR

For any of you looking to spring into Spring with a creative course, Module 1 of The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design ‘Designing your way’ starts on Monday. Find out more and register here!

And if you are more advanced in your designs and want to start making money from your work, Module 3 ‘Monetising your designs’ could be right up your street. Find out more and register here!

 

Love is in the air! Time out for good reason

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Love is in the air! Time out for good reason dwylhq1

There are some times in life that are so precious they just have to be savoured, for as long as possible. Getting married is one of them, which is why I have decided to take five weeks off work to enjoy every moment of my upcoming wedding and honeymoon.

Wedding dresses

“What will she be wearing?” they all asked

I am so grateful that Do What You Love gives me the flexibility to do this. Please know that the team is still here to support everyone involved in our courses, and we will still be blogging over the next few weeks (if a little less regularly) – and then I will be back with photos of hand made loveliness, tales of romantic adventures and a brand new name! (Along with a LOT of exciting changes and new things to share with you…)

Celebrating women

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Celebrating women DWYL BLOG SHIFT 650X250PX LR

As I am sure you know, today is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate what women bring to the world, and highlight the challenges faced by women in all walks of life.

When I worked at UNICEF this was a day to bring attention to the important role of women in society, and to highlight the fact that women all over the world are still abused, denied education and other human rights, and held back from their true potential.

Young girls Beth met on a UNICEF field visit to Azerbaijan back in 2007

Young girls I met on a UNICEF field visit to Azerbaijan back in 2007. By now they may be mothers themselves, or have left school to work. I wonder what their lives are like these days?

 

It is often said in the developing world that “If you educate a man you educate a man. If you educate a woman, you educate a family.” I love men, but women definitely do have a very special way to form bonds with others, nurture those around them and to tap into their intuition and use it as a tool for good. At UNICEF, and in many other organisations and communities all over the world, women are helping women build (or rebuild) lives, families and societies. And that is something to celebrate.

Today I also want to take a moment to celebrate YOU – each one of you…

… who plays so many roles in so many people’s lives

… who loves and nutures those around you

…who offers a shoulder to cry on, or a warm hug just when it is needed

…who encourages others to dream by chasing your own dreams

…who digs deep and shows courage, bravely carving new paths

…who recognises that IT IS UP TO EACH OF US

…who shows your daughters, granddaughters, mothers, sisters, friends that it is OK to create the life you want

…who chooses, every day, how to be in this world, with kindness, laughter and light

Why not reach out to a special woman in your life and tell her what she means to you today?

Honoured to be awarded a place in the ‘Top 42 under 42’ entrepreneurs in Yorkshire!

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'Top 42 under 42' entrepreneurs in Yorkshire

Just found out I have been awarded a place in the ‘Top 42 under 42′ entrepreneurs in Yorkshire! This is a real honour in a region buzzing with start ups and exciting new businesses. These awards recognise ‘rising stars of business’ in the region, so I am looking forward to meeting all the other winners soon!

Thanks to my awesome collaborators Kelly Rae Roberts, Rachael Taylor and Lilla Rogers for their part in Do What You Love’s explosive growth, which has allowed us to help thousands of women all over the world to do what they love!

Wedding wobbles

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wedding inspiration

I have had my first wedding wobble this week – nothing to do with actually getting married – can’t wait for that! But more to do with the getting-things-done-by-the-wedding piece. My man and I spent a dreamy day on Sunday planning our service etc, but ever since the long to-do list we created has been weighing on my mind. Haven’t ordered the flowers yet! Or the cake! Or finalised the menu! I am normally a master of organisation and until now have been completely unstressed about it, but this week I just suddenly felt overwhelmed with the need for everything to be perfect, and done already.

But then my lovely man reminded me that whatever happens it will be perfect because we are going to become Mr & Mrs in the company of family and a tiny group of close friends, and it will be a happy celebration of love. It is so true, and deep down I know that, but that doesn’t stop me wanting to make everything by hand and make it all gorgeous.

I was up at 6am this morning sorting all my inspiration images and making lists (my default action when feeling worried about something), and two hours later I felt much better. Sometimes the big things can take on a life of their own which distracts you from the most important thing – WHY you are doing it in the first place. It’s true in business and it’s true in life.

So from now on, for the countdown weeks ahead, I am going to clear my diary of anything that isn’t a priority, breathe deeply, and focus what is really important: Transitioning from one phase of my life to another with the man that I love.

Love letter to you

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Love heart Rachael Taylor

‘Love’ by one of my talented business partners Rachael Taylor

I have never really made a big thing of Valentine’s day but this year… well I’m getting married in a few weeks’ time, people! So love is very much in the air, and I am feeling grateful and loved and excited and hopeful and all the good things that come with being about to embark on the rest of my life with someone amazing.

But I also feel the same about my dear business, Do What You Love. One of my treasured business partners Kelly Rae Roberts and I often talk about how our businesses are living breathing things, just like we are, and that we should care for them like people, talk to them, nurture them, champion them, love them. And that is something I am really feeling right now. I want to reach out and give mine a big hug.

There are so many awesome opportunities flying our way, new projects unfolding, spring cleaning of older projects, and on and on. In part that is due to the awesome collaborations I am truly grateful for – with Kelly Rae, with Rachael, with Lilla, and with others we haven’t announced yet (you know who you are!) – I love that I get to work with women like this (and our fab team!) day in day out.

But I want to take a moment to recognise that actually, the fact that I get to do what I love is largely because of YOU. Without your enthusiasm and support, your wholehearted participation in our classes, the stories you share about how they have changed things for you, and your being here, reading this, there would be no Do What You Love.

So this is a love letter to you.

Thank you for being here, for sharing this crazy wonderful business and life journey, and for your courage to follow your dreams.

May this day, and all your days, be filled with love

Beth