ENTERPRISE + INITIATIVE Page 27 of 33

Announcing expert contributors for The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design

Posted on 2011-10-11 at 11:28 am.

So thrilled and honoured to be able to announce a stellar line-up of contributors for The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design featuring Rachael Taylor. The logos above show some of the experts who will be joining us – our contributors include designers, trend companies, leading design bloggers, authors, trade show executives and pattern buyers. See here for links to our contributors’ websites.

The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design featuring Rachael Taylor is the only place online where you are able to hear from and see the work of these experts all together. See here to find out more about this groundbreaking course, or register now to secure your place!

Happiness is doing what you love and sharing that with others: Suki Taylor, Stormy Sweitzer & Bari Linden Tessler share their stories

Posted on 2011-10-10 at 8:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today’s shared stories come from interior designer Sukanya (Suki) Taylor, business start-up coach Stormy Sweitzer and financial coach Bari Linden Tessler.

Suki Taylor

As a passionate artist, crafter and blogger, I find inspiration everywhere; and as an interior designer, I try to channel that inspiration into my designs. I like to take risks, to discover and explore the new. For me, life is a journey, an adventure, endlessly interesting and rich with possibilities. Needless to say, I’m absolutely passionate about what I do.

My first memory of art was when I was in primary school. I was given a homework assignment to draw a picture entitled “My Home”. When I showed my picture to the teacher, she didn’t believe that I had drawn it. This made me very upset and I started drawing like mad at every opportunity … that was the beginning of my designer journey.

My schooldays came and went, culminating in a degree in interior design. Soon after, I landed my dream job: working as an interior designer and teaching drawing on the weekends. Needless to say, this kept me pretty busy but I was finally getting paid for doing what I love.

Five years on and I decided to broaden my horizons in the UK, a country just brimming over with great art and design, so I signed up for a marketing course at the University of the Arts London – a fantastic experience that really challenged me.

Right now, I’m living in Australia and running a little design studio from home. It was really tough in the beginning. The biggest obstacle was not having a regular income. There were times I found myself thinking ‘what if?’, but I tried to keep sight of my current dreams as well as the ones I plan to chase.

In the beginning, I had to do retail work part time to support myself while I was building up a regular clientele. But I never gave up and nowadays I’m as busy as a bee. It’s meant lots of late nights and gallons of coffee but it’s been a labour of love and when the jobs are done, the smile on my clients’ faces always makes my heart beat a little faster.

The best part of working from home is that I get to do my research on a comfy daybed with a little daydreaming thrown in and any time is Me Time.

Sometimes, I put up twinkle lights and let myself drift away into a designer fantasy where my dreams are magically transformed into reality and creativity sparkles like fairy dust…

…and then the phone rings.

“Studio Suki; Suki speaking.”

[All images courtesy of Suki Taylor.]

Find out more on her website or connect on Facebook.

Stormy Sweitzer

Have you ever had an experience, a moment, or an encounter that struck you upside the head and soul so clearly that you couldn’t shake it? Maybe it lingered, lifted, created curiosity, found its way into your thoughts and actions whether you recognized it or not at the time.

For me, this moment occurred when I was 8 years old – almost 30 years ago. I was at a slumber party. As an early-riser, I was the first to wake up. And with nothing to do, I turned on the TV. On Sunday mornings in the early 80s, it was common to see infomercials from relief organizations that did work in the developing world. The program that was on that morning was about leprosy in Africa and how it affected so many people there. It affected me, too – though in a very different way, and was a sign of how I would engage with the world as I grew older.

When my school-teacher grandmother took me to Eastern Europe (before the Berlin Wall fell) one summer, it cemented my feelings that the world was a curious place, full of wonder as well as woe.

From that point forward, I spent a great deal of time doing three things:

Travelling abroad (living in 4 and traveling through 25 other countries by the time I was 22);
Studying languages (Spanish, Russian, Romanian, and a smattering of French) and subjects that might allow me to make an impact (Economics, Public Health); and
Doing volunteer and social impact work.

My first job earned me a poverty-level wage, but I was helping raise awareness about hunger and build emergency food stores for people around our state. Months after starting the job, I set my sights on joining the Peace Corps. I had heard that the application process took a very long time, so I was shocked when just four months after my initial enquiry, I was invited to be a Non-governmental Organization (NGO) Development Consultant in the former Soviet Republic of Moldova.

I’d never even heard of Moldova, but soon, I was helping people start not-for-profit entities and learn how to write grant proposals. This, I believe, was the start of my love for creating new organizations, for building systems, and for teaching about the start-up process.

These skills came in handy for me over the next 10 years in the various jobs I held, where I often took on the role of start-up go-to-person, and as an on-and-off-again consultant. And then one day, the dam broke and I quit my job. I wanted to use these skills to make my own ideas happen and to find a way to combine my interests in environmental, health, and social justice issues with my start-up tendencies.

My first business was a green one – selling fair trade and eco-friendly baby gifts and clothing. The next was a technology business that was inspired by the frustrations I encountered with children’s clothing. Both ultimately closed, but in the process of running them, I learned that I loved to solve problems, make a difference, be involved in the excitement of starting something new, and use business – something I had previously wanted nothing to do with – as a tool for doing it.

Today, I have my fingers in many pies as a food-loving, world-travelling, do-gooder with a love of start-up activity and making lemonade. I have returned to my social impact roots, helping nonprofit organizations/NGOs and social entrepreneurs that want to change the world create revenue-generating enterprises that allow them to do just that. There’s no better thing for me than being able to work with organizations and causes I support, while using my skills and interests to help them create sustainable impact.

In addition to my social impact coaching and consulting, I blog about food and help others transition to a healthy, gluten-free and dairy-free diet through classes and group support. And, I’ve come full circle with the Africa experience, helping my husband, a South African, market tours to his home country.

It’s been a challenging and, at times, frustrating and time-consuming journey, but to be able to spend my time creating my own way, helping others create theirs, and making a difference in the process is a fabulous thing. And, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It is this drive to do what I love that keeps me going and helps me stay focused on the things that allow me to do it – like making sales calls and sending out proposals, like filtering out distractions and saying no to opportunities that really aren’t, and like staying within a budget when I have to.

I hope that, if you are reading this, you understand that the effort is worthwhile and that the journey is not impossible if you are willing to work towards it. Do what you love, by starting every day with the conviction that you will and by taking one small step forward. The momentum builds from there.

[All images courtesy of Stormy Sweitzer.]

To find out more, visit her website here.

Bari Linden Tessler

My desire to be a therapist, business woman and/or dancer had been circling around me since I was a kid. At 23, I realized I wanted to be a Dance-Movement Therapist. Dance + Movement has always helped me get in touch with my feelings and articulate my vast inner world.

In my mid 20s I earned a master’s degree in Somatic Psychology from Naropa University. The program was fabulous. It helped me mature and develop in many ways. But there was a significant missing piece in my education that became apparent when my school loan came due. This was a scary event at the time, but it served as the catalyst for my Money Initiation. It shined a light on my complete lack of financial education. And it sent me down the path that led to my larger work in the world.

I then learned everything I could about bookkeeping and money management from the ground on up. After long hikes in the woods, I had the vision to blend my body–centered psychotherapy background with all of the practical tools and systems that I was learning. In 2001 I conceived the Conscious Bookkeeping Method, which integrates Financial Therapy, Values Based Bookkeeping, and Life Vision Planning. It’s a powerful blend of practical tools, deep therapeutic experiences, and expansive inspiration.

I have been offering my private Financial Therapy and the Conscious Bookkeeping Method course work for over a decade now for individuals and couples. I deeply love my work. This works includes lots of body check-ins and chocolate!

At age 38, I suddenly had the vision of having a child. I had been with my husband for seven years, and it was a surprise for him. We’d agreed that we were not going to have kids. But hey, a girl can change her mind, right?! So, my husband and I found a great therapist, and over the course of six weeks we were able to get on the same page again — this time as parents! We actually conceived Noah a few hours before our final therapy session.

Some people are long-term planners but I’m not one of them! I tend to plan a few months, to one year, at a time. My style is to keep listening and opening up to what is present and then take one step at a time as it makes sense to me. So, my current reality has happened one small step at a time.

To me doing what I love means that my family life and my work life are full of passion, fun, choice, creativity, depth, and growth. It means that at times I take control and make things happen and, at other times, I let go and allow life to just happen, trusting in its shifting cycles and phases.

It means that I get to find the best rhythm for my work time and my mommy time and that I get to enjoy each of these roles to their fullest expression. It means that I get to teach, mentor and lovingly guide people through a money initiation and into a place of maturity, consciousness and hope.

It means that I get to help people build bridges between money, body, mind, and spirit… while eating chocolate along the way! Doing what I love means that I get to work from home, hike the mountains just outside my front door, have tons of time with my 3 year old, walk a mere 100 ft. to visit my husband in his office, and get to be creative on a daily basis. Happiness is working your tushy off to do work you love, and sharing it with those who need it.

[All images courstesy of Bari Tessler Linden]

Bari is a Financial Therapist, Mamapreneur, and Founder of The Art of Money. You can find out more about Bari on her website and find out more about her latest programs here.

A tribute to a true visionary – Steve Jobs

Posted on 2011-10-07 at 9:53 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

As the world mourns one of the greatest innovators of our time, the words being shown over and over on our TV screens are from Steve Jobs’ commencement address to Stanford University back in 2005. They go like this…

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

(Watch the video here)

He gave us the Apple Mac, the iPhone, the iPod and all those fantastic Pixar animations. But perhaps these wise words are one of the most valuable things he gave us. After all, what is the point of spending your life doing something you don’t love?

Do What You Love film premiere!

Posted on 2011-10-03 at 11:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

So excited to finally release this short (4 minute) film from the Do What You Love retreat held in Yorkshire in May. It was a really special event, which Jack and Rafael of Nut Films have captured perfectly in this short film featuring Matt Stinchcomb (European Director of Etsy), Flora Bowley, Rachel Hazell and me (excuse me for looking very tired!)

Thanks so much to everyone at the retreat for letting us use this footage. It will be archived on the retreat page here. I’d love to know what you think!

PS News of the next one will be announced at some point in the coming months. If you want to be the first to hear about it make sure you are on the mailing list (sign up here).

(Image: Navy Blur)

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone: Claire Maguire shares her story

Posted on 2011-10-03 at 8:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today’s shared story comes from Claire Maguire.

To do what you love means each day is a joy. An adventure. A discovery. Being able to see the world with fresh eyes. To be thankful that the moment is a gift to be cherished. It’s when work loses meaning. You’re in flow. Work, life is harmonious, it’s easy, effortless. You become lost in that which you do.

It sounds so romantic. And is it even achievable? For a duality of life in doing what you love means leaping with faith and that can evoke fear…yet to quote Neale Donald Walsche “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”.

For me the leap is saying yes to pursuing the pleasure I gain when I teach women about the sensuality in food, in particular raw food; to give women the ability to re-connect into their purpose; to release old pain and to say yes to innermost desires. To be able to put yourself first and lose the guilt. And I have the absolute honour of doing that through running retreats.

The realization that this is what I wanted to do, could do, even dare to dream of, hit me over 4 years ago. When I discovered that raw food can literally change your life it sparked within me the passion to share this information. I became a coach and in doing so, my life and the path I had followed made sense – what a relief! I visualised the sound of women laughing as I showed them how to make sense of their lives, dreams and desires. I knew that I loved creating experiences and events and so the seedling of an idea to run retreats was planted.

It’s been a slow process of seeing that dream become a reality. I started a coaching practice initially which finessed my craft. I run on-line coaching programmes and I have participated in courses and worked with mentors myself.

I fortunately had a supportive family who saw the value in my dream and together we renovated an old farmhouse in North Yorkshire (UK) into a luxury boutique retreat centre.

It’s been a monumental journey; I left a marriage, moved with my children, was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. I had to make a ‘comeback’ with my coaching practice. I had to re-inspire myself and my passion for food, I learnt more and more deeply about the importance of self-care on all levels – mind, body, spirit and the impact our emotions play in our well-being.

It’s been an eventful 4 years. But with the loyalty of my clients, the faith of my family and the support of my friends, the opening of The Retreat at Split Farthing Hall was a treasured event. I was living, breathing, doing what I love.

With hindsight I realise that everything takes much longer than anticipated and a plan of working 6 months ahead instead of reacting in the moment would have been beneficial. I could have held more belief and networked like crazy. Yet I do believe everything happens when you’re ready. And it’s only now that I’m ready to take the next big leap and see The Retreat at Split Farthing Hall become an in-demand; much loved boutique retreat; featured in the glossy magazines and Sunday supplements; to build a community of passionate women and to touch the lives of the women that come here to experience the magic.

[Images courtesy of Claire Maguire]

Find out more about retreats at Split Farthing Hall here. To find out more about well-being and food coach Claire visit her website here.

On a mission to take back our plates, one delicious bite at a time: Sue Ann Gleason shares her story

Posted on 2011-09-26 at 11:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today’s shared story comes from nutritionist Sue Ann Gleason.

I am a food lover, food writer, and food-based healer. (aka: culinary nutritionist) I started my business because I wanted to create a delicious approach to radiant health. But the road has been a little bumpy. You see, before I set off to study every form of mind-body-health and nutritional science I could get my Type-A hands on, I was simply a happy, “healthy” food lover. Or so I thought.

And then, I lost my health and found it again through a deep, introspective look at the food I was eating, or not eating when I was on one of my extreme diet or exercise regimes. And when I found the courage to dig a little deeper, I discovered it wasn’t only about the food. My beautifully complex life needed more than just the application of glorious greens and fresh vegetable juices. Non-stop, copiously compulsive Type A overachiever. That was me. I used to shave one leg in the morning and one at night to save time. My calendar was color-coded. Even “spontaneous” moments had a color—blue. I was proud of my resourcefulness. I was an accomplished multi-tasker and it even earned me the distinction Teacher of the Year.

Taking on a health crisis was, for me, just another project. I attacked it with tenacity. I started studying things like cellular rejuvenation through raw food nutrition. I climbed into bed with The Autoimmune Epidemic instead of my favorite memoir. My body became a human laboratory. And I healed.

But old habits die-hard. Even in healing mode, I found a way to live life in the extremes. It started with my raw food journey. Instead of reveling in the vibrant colors and textures of homegrown tomatoes, ravishing red peppers, crunchy cucumbers and glorious greens, a meal became a contest. Anything less than 100 percent raw somehow became less nourishing than its cooked counterpart.

There I was—immersed in my new career with more degrees, studies, certifications, awards, and endorsements than I knew what to do with—surrounded by healthy, like-minded nutrition gurus and healers, when I came to the striking realization . . . I WASN’T HAVING ANY FUN.

I found myself longing for the companionship of food-loving friends who appreciated beautiful, wholesome meals, and . . . CHOCOLATE. One blustery weekend, I attended an Integrated Health Symposium in New York City. You know, the kind of conference that fills both your brain and your CEO bucket. The presenters were brilliant. The information was cutting-edge. But the exhibit hall was filled with powders, potions, pills, bars, and supplements. I was trying to find my way out of the tangle, bumping into voracious vendors hawking their wares, when a bright-eyed gentleman blocked my path,

“Our products come from whole food botanicals, optimally cultivated, fair trade and sustainable, rich in human compatible/absorbable vitamins, minerals, EFA oils and antioxidants, especially vitamins C and E. Do you use super food powders with your clients?” he asked. “No, I use food,” I replied. Though, admittedly, I was impressed with the number of words that spilled out of his mouth in just one sentence. That was a pivotal moment. I knew it was time to reclaim my relationship with real food, all food, fun food, and start hanging out with people who actually ate it.

So, I tried a little experiment. What happens when you take away all the fear-based notions around food and health and you just focus on the blissful benefits of consuming colorful, vibrant meals? What happens when you slow down and enjoy what you’re eating? What happens when you shift the pace of your life and make a commitment to engage in at least one delicious activity each day that makes you laugh? What happens when you start eating chocolate for breakfast?

I can tell you, ‘my’ life changed. I didn’t throw away my credentials or the gazillion books I had collected on biochemical imbalances or nutritional theories. But I did create a shift in my life and in my practice. I discovered that I have a unique gift. I can transform even the most contracted eater on the planet. I know how to laugh. I know how to use my creative powers to get to the heart of their nutritional stories because I’ve explored the shadows and contradictions in my own story. And I am passionate about my work as a culinary nutritionist, because embedded in this work, is a heartfelt mission: that we take back our plates, one luscious bite at a time.

[Image courtesy of Sue Ann Gleason.]

Sue Ann, founder of Conscious Bites Nutrition, is a Washington DC-based culinary nutritionist, dynamic eating psychology coach, speaker, and writer. Find out more about Sue Ann on her website or her blog.

Featured in new magazine from Stampington!

Posted on 2011-09-14 at 8:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Have you heard about ‘Mingle’, the new magazine from Stampington? It is all about creative gatherings and is sure to be full of delicious images and inspiring words. I am excited that the Do What You Love retreat is going to be featured in the inaugural issue, out on October 1!

NB: For those of you like me who don’t like in the US, you can order Stampington magazines through their website here.

Everyone’s journey starts with a small step: three inspiring women share their stories

Posted on 2011-09-12 at 8:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today’s shared stories come from Jill Metz, Laura Gates and Johwey Redington.

Jill Metz

In 2007 I was happy. But not the kind of happy that fills you up. I was satisfied but still hungry. I think that was the first step for me in doing what I love, realizing I wasn’t filled up and feeling like I did deserved to be filled up. I was married to the love of my life with two healthy children, a boy and girl and I was Blessed. But after 8 years of marriage I began to feel resentful and dissatisfied. I had been filling up with my family for so long , trying to be perfect and expecting them to be my whole world. Needless to say, that was trouble waiting to happen!

Then came the question…what was missing in my life? It was at that time i began to dig deeper and look at my life and to discover the bigger picture of who I was. What I honestly discovered was that I didn’t even know myself. I didn’t know what I believed, didn’t know what I was good at, didn’t know what my passions were. I had a very challenging childhood and it was more about survival than being a kid. Therefore I lived my young adult years, ages 16-25, trying to be the kid I didn’t get to be. Usually this is the time when people start to look at themselves and ask the type of questions that lead to this discovery of self. I was a late bloomer!

So I had to go back to the beginning and I asked myself, “What did I like to do when I was a little girl?” This was not an easy place to revisit but I have to say with that blast to the past came a great deal or healing, forgiveness, and learning to love myself more. I was the little girl who was always creating something, usually out of nothing. I was the kid who would rather hang out in the craft store than the toy store. I was the little girl who would set up a tattoo stand outside her apartment building in hopes someone would actually pay me to draw a mermaid on their arm with a magic marker. Just like my mother, God had given me the gift of CREATIVITY! So I went back to that and picked up the old crusty paint brush that had been neglected for so many years and I went to work. I quickly discovered mixed media and things started to make sense, I was seeing the bigger picture.

Unlike some of the inspiring stories you hear here, I did not quit my job and within a year make a good living. I was just too fragile for that and didn’t have the courage or confidence to dive in. I did begin a small on-line business making mixed media picture frames and got accepted into some local art shows. This was good for my self esteem and I started to believe in myself. That was four years ago….

Today I am doing what I love! I have an amazing family who I truly love and appreciate more every day. I have the privilege of being here to prepare their food, wipe their noses, drive them to their cross country and basketball games, send them off on the bus and I’m here when they get home. Mostly I have the privilege to pray with them and for them. The other part of the picture is I’m a mixed media artist! I have a website, a blog, I teach mixed media art workshops, and still continue to do select juried art shows. I have been invited to display my work in art galleries and have had inquires about offering a wholesale line. I have recently been exploring the world of licensing and attended Surtex last March in NY City. I am praying about those opportunities and each new opportunity that comes my way. Last month I finally got the courage to submit my work to my favorite international magazine and I’m hopeful that they will publish my artwork.

I don’t think you can really do what you love for life until you know who you are. I was a mouse on a wheel. To everyone else I looked happy, I thought I was happy. But then I got hungry and I listened to that. I didn’t settle! Instead I began a journey. A journey of FAITH, COURAGE, HEALING, and TRUST. Everyone’s journey looks different, but they all start with a step, and then another step, and then another. I remind myself life is not a race…it is a journey. I can’t worry with how good I’m not, how slow I am, how much time I wasted. I can only take that step today in order to do what I love for life.

[All images courtesy of Jill Metz]

Find out more about Jill on her website here.

Laura Gates

As a kid I envied people who knew what they wanted to be when they grew up. I didn’t have a clue. I lamented this fact with my dad in the kitchen one afternoon 30 years ago, wondering what my college major should be.

“What if I stuck a hot poker in your foot right now and you had to tell me what you wanted to be?” asked my dad. “Um. A writer?” I said meekly. Needless to say, I chose psychology and quickly transferred into business. (Parents, don’t try this at home!)

One thing led to another and I ended up working in banking on Wall Street in the wild 80s. Although I excelled and climbed the corporate ladder, I felt creatively vacant and desperately tried to find work in other areas, to no avail.

It was ultimately falling head over heels in love with a handsome young South American that catalyzed the change. In a potentially career limiting move, I quit my job and followed him to South America, where we promptly got married and traveled for a year. After returning to New York I was hired back by the bank, still clueless as to my life calling. My sister urged me to move to California, and a friend offered me a job at a PR firm. In little over a year I was serendipitously given the chance to take over another woman’s business who was pregnant and moving. From one client at $500 a month I quickly grew my company – marketing and promoting women-owned businesses – making six figures within the year.

The early 90’s were exciting times and I was hugely successful, but in the midst of the dot.com boom my husband left me. I was devastated. I managed to keep the business going, but would curl into a fetal position at night and cry myself to sleep. Within a year he married his assistant, a several-years younger version of me. In addition to feeling horribly rejected I had become a cliché – and I was barely over 30!

It was thanks to my husband leaving that led me to my current career as a leadership trainer and coach. One day at lunch a client wanted to know how I was doing. I burst into tears crying telling her the whole story. She recommended I do a workshop that changed her life with Learning as Leadership, and that was the turning point for me. Learning about how my behaviors contributed to what wasn’t working in my life gave me the power to change. And 16 years later, I am working as an executive coach and trainer for the company that leads those very same trainings. Working with people to help them find their passion and overcome the obstacles that get in their way is my passion.

It sounds crazy, but today I’m grateful my husband walked out on me. It was a big kick in the ass and propelled me to truly find my life purpose. It also led to my spiritual quest which has me co-leading journeys around the globe to work with indigenous healers, and pursuing a Master’s in Intuition Medicine.

Now remarried, on the cusp of my 49th birthday, I am once again putting tender green shoots into the ground, exploring new territory. The high school girl who timidly said she wanted to be a writer back in the kitchen that day is finally emerging. I have found my voice through my blog, telling my stories, expressing my authentic self.

As we approach unprecedented times of change on our planet, I am listening carefully once again to the signs the universe is sending me and I wonder. What’s next? But unlike younger versions of myself, I know and trust that everything is unfolding just as it should. And there is nothing I need do but surrender to the Signs.

[All images courtesy of Laura Gates.]

Find out more about Laura on her website.

Johwey Redington

My journey started when I became an architect. My parents wanted me to be an accountant and take over the family business, but I had always been artistically-inclined and knew I wanted a creative career. I was only allowed to pursue a licensed profession, and architecture had the right mix of art and science so it seemed a good choice at the time. As an architect, I loved seeing dreams transformed into well-designed usable spaces which, in turn, promised to provide their users with memorable experiences. That was the satisfaction I got from my job – creating spaces for people to enjoy. (It wasn’t always pleasurable though. Most of the time, I was wrestling with contractors and building inspectors! Still I loved what I did.)

Being married and having children changed my priorities. At this stage in my life, I found myself juggling between the competing demands of my professional career and motherhood. I was living two lives – architect during the day and wife and mother at night. (At times, the architect would even encroach on family time!) I started to feel no fulfillment in my work anymore and desired to give my full presence to my two daughters – at least in their formative years. So after several years of professional practice, I became a full-time mom.

The transition from architect to stay-at home-mom wasn’t easy. I grew up in a society that doesn’t place much value on parenting as a valid and distinguished occupation. And for someone as career-driven as I am, I somehow felt displaced. People went from “Oh wow, you’re an architect!” to “You stay home all day?!? What do you do?” Somehow they don’t give much credit to the challenging, demanding, and stressful job of being a mother. I didn’t know how to label myself. (What do I put as my occupation? Leaving it blank makes me feel like a bum.) I was loving taking full charge of my children’s upbringing (I was even homeschooling them) – I knew what I was doing was vital and important, and that I was the only one who can do it – but I couldn’t reconcile who I was to the world.

Throughout all these, I continued to create. Art is inherent in me – I’ve always known it is essential to my soul. It’s what made me fall in love with architecture in the first place. It’s what makes me come alive – the ability to express and interpret my experiences visually and creatively. As a full-time mom, I was able to explore more freely and play more creatively. I rediscovered the joys of mixed media and book arts, developed my skills as a photographer, and got introduced to the world of fabric arts. The best thing is that art integrates well to our family lifestyle – it doesn’t compete with my role as a mother and wife, in fact, it complements it.

In this path of putting my children first, I eventually learned to deepen my awareness for each present moment. In so doing, I gained a greater sense of freedom and self-understanding. I’ve come to terms with what’s really important to me and developed a confidence in my abilities that I lacked before. This gave me the courage to share my journey and open my art to the world. And now, in this current stage of my life, I’ve decided to build my career as an artist as I continue to be a mindful parent (and person in general). Sometimes I get scared, sometimes my confidence wanes. It’s a whole new industry, a whole new community. But my inspiration never falters and I keep on moving forward.

So what does it mean to do what you love? For me, it means living every minute of each day as fully as possible, even if I have to live my life in stages. At present, I’m enjoying my moment-to-moment relationship with my family and I’m creating to my heart’s content. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

In retrospect, I wouldn’t change anything in my past (not so easy to say when experiences are fresh) because I believe that everything that happened in my life brought me to where I am today – and where I am right now will bring me to something even greater in the future. I know this because I believe and I keep on trying. And wherever my art will take me, I know with confidence that I’ve already carried out my life’s masterpieces – my two lovely daughters!

[All images courtesy of Johwey Redington]

Find out more about Johwey on her website.

Announcing… The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design featuring Rachael Taylor!

Posted on 2011-09-08 at 8:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

I am so excited to unveil this exciting project which I have been working on for the past few months… It is a huge honour and privilege to announce a collaboration with incredibly talented designer Rachael Taylor…

Announcing... The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design featuring Rachael Taylor! Hi res 550px Header WEB Ver1 e1314972237207

‘The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design featuring Rachael Taylor’ is the definitive guide to becoming a surface pattern designer – and you are going to LOVE it!

If you have ever dreamt of seeing your designs on stationery, fabric, homewares or other products, sharing your art through pattern, and monetising your designs this groundbreaking new e-course is for you!

Split into three modules (see below) it will take you step-by-step from sketch to pattern to product, sharing technical how-to-guides and industry secrets along the way.

Are you ready to dive into a world of colour and pattern?

Come and join us!

’50s Inspired Quirky Print’ by Rachael Taylor

About the course

Thriving surface pattern designer Rachael Taylor will guide you along this exciting path from developing your signature style to putting a collection together, and from protecting your work to monetising your designs.

With a rich combination of design inspiration, practical advice, demonstrations, creative exercises, resources and interviews with leading industry practitioners, this is the go-to guide for anyone wanting to develop their design skills.

Rachael’s work has been featured in numerous leading pattern books, on TV and in many glossy magazines, and she has worked with the likes of Target, teNeues, Graham & Brown, WHSmith and TigerPrint (for M&S). Find out more about Rachael here.

If you want to break into and succeed in surface pattern design, register now!

Dream, create, inspire: Diane Rooney and Loralee Hutton share their stories

Posted on 2011-08-29 at 8:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today’s shared stories come from artists Diane Rooney, and coach Loralee Hutton.

Diane Rooney

For just over 20 years I was blessed to be doing what I loved to do. I was a housewife and mummy. As a little girl my joy was always playing with my baby dolls. Playing family. Dressing up the babies. I ached for a baby of mine. I married my childhood sweetheart and within months I had my first baby. I was so young at just 19, but so happy. I then had three more babies in quick succession! And as happy as I was, loving my babies, being their Mummy, there were days of utter despair. Post natal depression. A failing marriage. More often than not, I was tired. Exhausted. Yes, even doing what you love isn’t always a bed of roses. But the days of bliss, of pure joy being a Mummy to those beautiful children far outweighed any of the normal bad days that all Mums face.

And then in a blink of an eye, my eldest left for university. I remember sitting at my desk watching him packing the car and I silently stood up, closed the door, rested my head in my arms and cried my heart out. I knew it was the beginning of a new era for me. For him. He was so happy. I also knew his siblings would be following him out that door within a very short space of time. I was facing an empty nest. A marriage that was still failing. What was I going to do? Over the following months and into a couple of years I started to make some huge changes to my life.

During the years that my children were little, I’d been given a computer, some software and taught myself to become a web graphics designer. My beloved father had initially got me interested in the internet back in 1994. He and his (then) business partner had just set up the UK’s first Internet Café in Whitfield St., in London. They were also setting up one of the UK’s first internet providers, Easynet. As such, Dad had wanted to me to learn html, computer graphics as they needed help setting up various web pages. It was on the spot learn as you go work. I loved it. And my love for this new found art and creative outlet just evolved. I wasn’t earning much money. It was more of a hobby with pin money thrown in. My family was still growing. I was a full time Mum. Little did I know though, that my creative outlet would lead me to a new and wonderful bliss.

After my eldest left home, I went to art school. I started a degree in multi-media design. The creative environment was incredible. I just absorbed it all. I made new friends. I soaked up every lecture in art history, my favourite subject. However, during this time my emotional state took a battering as my 20 year marriage really broke down and I decided to leave. My ex-husband and I spent a couple of years trying to work things out but in the end we both wanted such hugely different things. We parted. It was traumatic. Divorce is horrible even when you want it. Years later, though, we are good friends and we stay in touch. It’s been good for our children (and grandchildren).

Not long after my divorce, I’d left my degree course and started working on setting up as a freelance digital artist. I initially worked as a 2d texture artist creating textures for 3d models for a company in USA, Daz3D. During this time I did some collaboration work with other 3d and 2d artists. I fell in love with one of them. We had done some work together and just developed a friendship online through work. He lived in the north east (UK) and I was in the south east. To cut a long story short, we met up, moved in together and were married 6 months later. That was 5 yrs ago. We live and work together 24/7. Yep! ‘Tis true.

Last year we set up our own digital art company and have our own individual brands. Talking shop is no chore for us. We understand the jargon. We love critiquing each other’s work. Steve is a traditional artist with a God given gift to draw and paint. He is also a professional photographer and 3d modeller and artist. Whereas I come from a more crafty, hobby into a business background. It works so well. Every day there is laughter and a lot of creativity. Brainstorming new ideas for products or art is such fun! Such amazing creative energy.

Family is still a huge joy in my life. It sounds corny but they truly are a part of my creative process. I’m inspired by them. I do what I do for them. Yes, this is my creative outlet. Yes, I’m blessed to be able to do what I love to do and earn money. At the end of the day though, it is for those we leave behind. A legacy of love. I believe there will be a day when my children and grandchildren will go through my art, my creations and see me. Understand me. They will see themselves in what I create.

After what has been an interesting and sometimes hugely traumatic few years, I’ve settled into a life of doing what I love. No matter what life throws up at you, I’ve learned to just push forward. Hold onto the dream. Continue you to take steps on the journey. Suddenly you will realise you are living the life you want. Don’t be scared of change. As I continue to build my brand and my online store, I still fight past demons that tell me I’m not good enough, I’m not talented enough. It gets less though. I just keep creating. I surround myself with positive words, art, photos and of course, my beloved husband who is my biggest fan and encourager.

[Images courtesy of Diane Rooney]

Diane is a digital fine artist and designer. Find out more on her website and Flickr gallery.

Loralee Hutton

Image courtesy of loraleehutton.com

There was no lightning bolt moment for me, but somewhere between 2006 and 2007 I started to realize I wanted to study more about leveraging my business. I knew it was the way for me to grow, change and become a different type of leader in my community. But the thought terrified me. I had dabbled earlier on in my business career with group programs but it wasn’t where I knew I wanted to go. By this point I was doing a lot of self-development work and I could see the format other teachers and leaders were delivering. I knew the models that worked and didn’t. I was still working one-on-one with clients. And my model wasn’t working. The problem was, working one-on-one was absolutely my favorite part of being an entrepreneur. I LOVE being with people in person. And I especially love helping them create little light bulb moments. Nothing big and earth shattering, just those little moments when a light bulb goes on, and they see the possibility of something that previously seemed unattainable.

So in 2006 I joined an executive board program and we tore up my entire business plan and started over from scratch. I was determined to move to the next level – whatever that was. And working with a team to really scrutinize my business model sure helped! Within a few months I had leased office space, brought in a small army of staff and really started to shift the business.

However, although I was seeking business growth, it wasn’t what I wanted at all. In reality I had just created a job for myself. I was exhausted all of the time, and I think I may have only given myself a paycheque once during in those two years. I poured every single dollar we earned back into the growth of the company and into employee benefits, paying the highest wages I could afford. I created a company I was proud of – but one that made me feel miserable inside. Within the first year in that office space, all I could dream of was getting out. So I returned to self-discovery (as any good entrepreneur does – entrepreneurship is one of the best self-development programs out there, they say). I asked myself what I really wanted. The two things that came up over and over again were travel, and writing. My business coach at the time asked me to start investigating this – and so I did. Within a week I had enrolled in a Travel Writing course and then I just wanted to get away and write.

With hindsight I do wish I’d been able to focus on the growth of that business, allowed it to flourish & then sell it, instead of letting it fall down around my ankles. I wish I’d known in advance what a great brand I had, and that people were admiring the company from afar. That there was value in it (and likewise, value in myself and what I had created). But at the same time I wonder if sticking with it would have allowed me to be the person I am today. Empathic to other peoples struggles and journey. Passionate about helping them build support teams & make live a full life, instead of racing around reacting to things most of the time. Maybe I wouldn’t be as passionate about the things I’m passionate about.

During this most recent self discovery, while looking for freedom, I found what I had known all along, but had forgotten. For me, Freedom comes with four key elements.

A strong support team
Creating systems that save me time, energy and money
Streamlining – finding ways to make things work faster, easier, flow better
Simplifying – decluttering, and travelling light

Looking ahead I still want to write, and travel. But I also want to share what I’ve learned with anyone who may be in similar shoes to mine. I was deeply passionate about systems, and strong team building while creating my business, and I still am. And I’m equally passionate about helping people (and myself) live whatever dream it is they desire. I believe anything is possible; even if that’s a bit ‘poly-anna’. I think the world could use a few more dreamers like me.

One of the main ways that I want to help is by showing people (especially women) how easy it is to live your life filled with passion. And how the easiest way to do that is by create some passive income so that you can continue to create, feel fully alive and love your business (again, in some cases). In fact, it’s not essential to give up the business you’ve been growing for the past 10 years. You can create your product(s) and share it with the world, all the while growing/sustaining your business. You don’t need to work overtime, and all hours of the day.

And the new product can sustain you while you take a break, reinvest in yourself, and sustain you while you move to the next phase. I have tried and tested all the little tools and systems that make this process easy, without breaking the bank. I’ve literally spent the past 3 years testing different products to create an online presence. Almost all of them have been free resources, or very low cost. And I’ve been able to keep my costs to a very minimal amount so that I can have the flexibility to once again reinvest money into my business, but also have plenty of cash flow every month to enjoy life. I don’t want to make the same mistake again, of having high overhead expenses that suck the life out of me during slow months.

I’m currently rebuilding my support team, and loving it. It’s one of the utmost priorities for me at this stage. I’m so grateful to have a VA (virtual assistant) come on board this month. And once again I’m in more than one mastermind group, have a business coach, key friends and family who I can call on, and great health practitioners. Without them working together (even if they’re not aware of it) I would be struggling again.

And my big dream is this. To have a completely portable business, which gives me the freedom to travel & meet other entrepreneurs anywhere in the world. To collaborate on projects, talk openly about anything that’s on their heart, find ways to inspire, change and grow, create lasting friendship, while creating something new that helps at least one other person. That’s my goal really, to help inspire one other person to live their dream life.

[Image courtesy of Loralee Hutton.]

Find out more on her website here.

***

“Life-changing”, “Revolutionary”, “Awe-inspiring”, “Transformative“ – just a few of the ways former participants have described the Do What You Love e-course.

Do you fancy some of that in your life? Do you want to get closer to identifying your true passion and finding a way to do what you love, for life? Then this is for you!

The Do What You Love e-course is open for registration now. Places are limited so book now to secure your place. This is the last time it will run this year.

This is your chance to join a global tribe of like-minded people who will support and encourage you to find your way.

It could be the most influential six weeks of your life… Join now!