“If you can dream it, you can do it” – Walt Disney (Co-Founder, Walt Disney Productions)
This month’s theme is ‘Love Business’. I thought it would be interesting to give you a little insight to the birth and subsequent growth of our company.
Just over three years ago I was sat at home listening to Beth tell me that she had made a rather spontaneous decision to book a trip to San Jose in California. She was off to ‘An Artful Journey Retreat’ to take a class from two artists named Kelly Rae Roberts and Mati Rose McDonough. She had been reading Kelly Rae Roberts’ book ‘Taking Flight‘, and decided that she wanted to meet her. As always I told her to go for it. Sometimes we just have to spend some money and treat ourselves.
At that time she had been working tirelessly on the legacy aspect of England’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018, in a very corporate environment. The trip was an opportunity to relax and get painting again after more than a decade on the back burner.
When she returned from California her smile said it all. She looked like a different woman. She had met kindred spirits and rediscovered her love for ART. The enthusiasm was evident. She came away knowing she wanted to work with and for women like those she met on the retreat. She effusively explained this thing called blogging and the potential business model that she had observed. It was different – in fact worlds apart – from what she was doing at that point, but very intriguing.
She went in search of some relaxation and inspiration. She came back with a the beginnings of a whole new life for us. What was to transpire from the trip was more profound and pivotal than either of us could ever have imagined! The seeds of what would become Do What You Love Ltd were sown.
Neither of us knew anything about blogging, retreats, e-courses and workshops etc. I can honestly say I was left in absolute awe as I witnessed Beth make a mockery of the lack of information and experience. She registered for countless e-courses, took workshops, made contacts and immersed herself in the creative world.
She began blogging! It is important to note that at that point blogging here in the UK was still in its infancy (and still is compared to the US). I am not sure why but it just isn’t an activity that many do. Maybe the thought of an ‘on-line’ journal is just a little too much for us reserved Brits!
The next step in the evolution of the company came from a birthday present that I bought for her. Beth loves surprises and until this time I had never muttered the words ‘ What would you like?’ But this year everything was changing and I was devoid of ideas. When I did ask she said she would love a sewing machine. I associated such a gift with someone twenty years her senior, but how wrong was I!
So I bought it for her and she loved it. Initially though, she was a little afraid of it. A friend suggested she try doing a creative swap to make herself use her new gift, so the next day she launched The Great Stitched Postcard Swap on her blog. 50 like-minded souls from across the globe took up the challenge. This was the first indication that there was a great power in community and these artistic souls would reach out and find each other. For anyone starting out I think it is important to note that everything to this point had been done for free. There was no profit in mind it was more primal than that. It was about connecting with other people.
“You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want” – Ziz Ziglar (Author and Salesman)
Then the most amazing thing happened. We were in the process of moving house when a package arrived in the post. It was a gift from Spain. When we opened it we found a lovely original painting from one of the people who had swapped a postcard. It was a thank you and a house warming gift. To receive such a gift from a stranger was so foreign for two people who worked in very competitive industries. I think this was the first indication of the extra rewards that were possible from a soulful business.
Within a few months Beth had navigated her way through WordPress, created her own website and announced the launch of the Do What You Love e-course and the inaugural Do What You Love Retreat. It was to be held in Richmond (an historical market town), North Yorkshire in May 2011.
There was a wiggle and a spring in her step that I had not seen before. Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting my wife knows that she needs no motivation. Everything in life is interesting to her and she is enthused constantly to learn. But now there was an extra verve.
The retreat was the most wonderful experience and had a major impact on the paths of many of its participants. But the organising of it was a huge undertaking, fraught with risk and required an inordinate amount of work. The business model was extremely tough to say the least and after 5 days of painting, book making, mixed media creation, business workshops, wine tasting and bonding, we were shattered! When the dust had settled and we had time to reflect, Beth realised that although retreats could be an important part of the business, they couldn’t be the whole business.
She was truly listening. Not to others but to herself. She had discovered something very special and powerful within which she wanted to share. And she knew she wanted to collaborate with others at the top of their game to reach many more people. And so the e-courses began.
As Beth’s mission became increasingly clear, it was more than a little ironic that her partner was to be a contradiction to her message for the first couple of years or so! I guess I was a little slow on the uptake!
And so the Do What You Love story began… Next week I will let you know about the collaborations, book deals, Japan, staff and our future plans……
Given the opportunity what business would you like to start? How would you let the world know who you are and what you are about?
Until next time…
Mr K
