Who's Representing?

TGB Sketches

I don't mean to neglect everyone.  My mind has literally been racing for the past week.  So many things that are just running wild in my brain that I haven't just taken the time out to relax and get some things off my chest.  What's the holiday going to bring?  The New Year??  THE GREY BUTTON?  So many exciting thoughts!  Well we are hitting the ground running!  We are interviewing now for Independent Sales Reps for all markets which is keeping me real busy.  Paperwork, phone interviews, resumes......boy who knew how much work!  I need an HR rep.  We have already added one and looking and looking for many more to help share THE GREY BUTTON with everyone.  One thing I know is that you have to keep the momentum going so hang on!  I have been sharing some photos as I work and plan to continue so everyone can share my progress and keep me focused.  Thanks again for every one's support and also the great comments........but you know it's so much faster if you just comment here on the blog rather than emailing me......-friends you know who you are!

Handbags?? Of Course!

Sketches of a few design prototypes.....

I've been getting a lot of questions recently about my handbags and I want to set everyone's mind at ease, please don't worry.....I am still designing handbags.  I'm actually revamping the line and making it even better!!!  I can't wait until the collection is complete and everyone gets to see my vision come to life.  Two and a half years ago I took time off from designing and made the difficult choice to go back to Corporate America.  It was definitely something that was needed at the time, but I didn't realize the effect it would have internally.  Me being an over acheiver I threw myself into my Corporate job and, as a result, I completely neglected my craft.  Eventually it all came crashing down...........and the job left me empty, sad, and overall unhappy.  I felt as though I had become a different person and I didn't like who I had become.  My fire was gone!  When I thought about what did make me happy, I immediately thought- Designing!!!  And so I'm throwing myself back into it!  I am inviting you to walk along side me while I grow my business, sharing your thoughts and giving me much needed feedback along the way.  I understand that I cannot be successful without the help of others and so it only makes sense for us to "come together" and grow our businesses!  Thank you to all my supporters over the years and my new supporters as we all grow!!!


Here's a sneak peak of new ideas I'm working on......so exciting!!

Get Out and Mingle

I rolled out of the bed this morning feeling very thankful for the connections that I made this week.  Social Media is working in my favor but meeting people the good old fashion way is a much better experience.  This week we added our first sales rep who is very eager to get started I am positive will be great!  Get ready Florida for THE GREY BUTTON!!!  So feeling inspired I got out of the work zone and out into some fresh air.  I found myself near downtown on Walker Street just walking and scouting a location for my future shop, when I stumbled across a cute little shop called Shoe Lounge.  I popped in and met the owner who was a very lovely woman with an extremely warm personality.  Although today was not the day for shopping, it is definitely a place that I would return to.  It was really nice to get out and mingle with another fashion lover even if it was only for a few moments.  And the added bonus of possibly creating a new frienship is the business connection (it's like finding a new button!)  Nice meeting you Shoe Lounge.

Let's Come Together

I'm working on the website and I am finding that it is far more challenging than I care to mention.  The thing is, I don't really want to learn how to build a website.  I know what I want but not necessarily how to "do" it.  And that is a major problem.  Yeah, I could go get Websites for Dummy's but I would rather have a professional do it.  And this got me to thinking.  I am good at a lot of things and I consider myself to pretty smart.  I say that to say.......just because I can do something doesn't mean I have to do everything.  I just want it to be right.  Because THE GREY BUTTON is building a foundation of "coming together" to make a difference it is about time for me to let go of some of the control and leave some things to the professionals.  I met with  a web developer and we spent a couple of hours going over my vision for the website.  It was really nice not having to think technically on how things will "work" on the site but focus on how I want the overall design and feel to be.  THE GREY BUTTON Project is in full affect.  We are putting other artists to work and will continue to.

~Next  -------> Work on funding the project!

In My Pursuit of Happiness

Staying Focused
The little button that could.......

I have been told recently that I am not an emotional person from an old friend I've known for years.  But I would have to disagree because I am finding the older I get the more emotional I am.  Sometimes I am too emotional in my opinion, especially when I can relate to someone else's emotional experience.  After coming home from a short weekend road trip, and reflecting on what's important in mine and my family’s lives, I flopped down on the couch, turned the TV on and there was Will.  [Like we are on a first name basis--yeah right!]  The Pursuit to Happyness , starring Will Smith, was playing and I came right in on THE "emotional" scene with him at the basketball court schooling his son on an important life lesson,  "Hey. Don't ever let somebody tell you... You can't do something. Not even me. All right?.......You got a dream... You gotta protect it. People can't do somethin' themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. If you want somethin', go get it. Period." Unsurprisingly, this deeply emotional scene resonated with me, but this was not THE emotional part of the movie for me.  Throughout the movie I fought back the tears watching Will Smith's character repeatedly face obstacles every time he made headway to make a better situation for his son.  From the scene outside the office building when his future boss asks him for his last five dollar bill, to the IRS garnishing is funds from his bank account........ this man never gave up!  I often feel how he felt with getting knocked down repeatedly!  I remember vividly that day while at the gas station, with the last $20 in hand, an obstacle came flying out of nowhere and knocked me cold out!  Unconscious!  Somehow between getting out of the car and into the store the $20 vanished!  And of course after spending half an hour searching frantically I finally settled on the fact that it was gone and hung my head super low, crawled back into the car and drove away.  The only thing is “obstacle” has an evil twin and they are always together, so as I pulled out of the parking lot, I naturally looked at the dashboard and at that precise moment the gas light came on-- just to knock me back out as I was coming to from the first blow...........So understandably I am very emotional even now reflecting on The Pursuit of Happyness.   Maybe I saw it for a reason, and I can only hope that I too will find success.

Are you inspired?

Short Sleeve  TGB Large Logo T-Shirt 

This week has been one filled with ups and downs.  Overall, I must admit that the ups have been victorious over the downs.  I could complain about the things that went wrong this week but I'm not going to.  For one, the collection is being received quite well by my friends and family.  And importantly I am so happy that people understand and want to support the movement.  I truly believe that we all can make a real difference in the world and it doesn't take much.  And so the hard work begins.   I have to work out the master plan of getting my message out.  Although I know that everyone is turning to Social Media, I must admit, I don't want to spend most of my day browsing over Facebook and Twitter pages trying to make new "friends" in hopes that they will be supporters.   I mean, don't get me wrong I will do exactly that, but I also like the idea of good old fashion face to face interaction.  Actually using my hands to create something more than a document or an email.  One thing that I have noticed......with technology pushing us further and further away from reality, it is becoming a lot harder to get people motivated to do hardly anything outside the house.

I need your help......what would inspire you to get out and do something?  Please share your thoughts!

After the Rain

"The sun always comes out!"

The past month has been a very trying one for me. I knew that things would be difficult but I was not ready!  I mean completely caught off guard!  As if things couldn't get any worse off than they alreay had been, on Thursday they did.  When my friend called to get an update on a very stressful situation, I made a reference, "Man, when it rains......it pours!"  My friend's reaction was..."yeah, but after all that rain the sun always comes out!"  If that was not what I needed to hear right then.  I met a couple of new people this week at a friend's house and as we were getting to know each other, it appeared the common theme was how much everyone hated their jobs and all the stress that comes along with it.  One of the girls started telling us how she's training for a new position at her job, but it feels as though the trainer just picks on her all day.  Then someone said, "your job is not going to be easy....you are going to have people coming at you from all directions and some not nice, they are just testing you to see if you can handle the job!  Show them you can!"  Lightbulb!!!!!!  That's what I'm dealing with right now!  What I had to realize is that I must go through these hard times.  Feeling like it can't get worse seems to ignite the fuel most times.  All of sudden I must do this....or that's not going to happen.  It's almost like Whoever is calling the shots is standing over my bed while I'm napping holding a bucket of ice water, getting a kick out of shocking me back to reality!  This is the career path that I chose and I knew it wouldn't be easy.  These obstacles are getting me ready......This is just boot camp!

To my friend, Thank you for knowing just what to say but importantly having such a big heart !!

"Billionaire Secrets: Achieving the American Dream" Barbara Walters interviews CEOs who made their fortunes through hard work.

All I have to say is........you have to see this!  We can all work together to make a difference!  No matter how big you get, you should never lose focus on what's important!

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/surprising-stories-superrich-gave-back/story?id=14826520

It's Not Always About You!

Although I have been working vigorously on getting THE GREY BUTTON off the ground, I have tried not to forget everyone else around me.  I think it is real important while I'm asking people to support me that I must offer to support them back. As addictive as it is to talk about my own project all day long, it seems to maintain some sort of balance when I give it a rest and take interest in someone other than me.  And wouldn't you know.....support is not always in the form of patronizing a friends' business, just showing up as someone who cares is sometimes all that's needed.  So I jumped in the back seat and let someone else do the driving!  This weekend I watched joy in the eyes of my good friends, as we were invited to take the first look at their new home. I am so proud and very happy for them. The house is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L and I can't wait until the house warming party so I can watch everyone having so much fun while the "honorable mentions" play host/hostess for the first time at the new pad.  The takeaway here:  Try not to get so wrapped up in yourself that you neglect the people you love around you.


Congratulations on the new house guys!

Mistakes

Gotta love those old mistakes!  A couple of days ago I had the mishap of printing "Hold It Together" upside down on one of the shirts.  Fortunately I was able to make light of the situation by offering this ironic tee for purchase.  After putting the story out on how this shirt came about a buzz was generated and orders came through.  But with today's oversight I was not so lucky.  I have been obsessing over the mailbox all week waiting for another round of business cards for the President only to open them today and find where his information should have been, my email and phone number was printed instead.  I was working off of my business card template and somehow sent the wrong file to have printed.  Oh NO!!!!  I don't think I can get away with my contact information on his cards.  I could have been upset or, better yet, he could have been.  As we recalled what happened a few days ago we both laughed..... we couldn't even be mad.  We'll take this one for the team and make sure we triple check next time.  The lesson here is that you will make mistakes......so what!  Keep it moving!

Next-- Reorder Cards!

What is our Story?

This morning I woke up feeling so refreshed!  Stepped outside and it just felt like it was going to be a good day.  Before I went running out of the house, I decided that I would spend some time personally thanking everyone who became a 'Friend' overnight on our Facebook page.  And then one of my old friends sent me a message, "So what's the story with THE GREY BUTTON?"  I guess I have been so wrapped up in pulling the business and design plans together that I have not actually taken the time to fully explain to this platform exactly what the "story" of THE GREY BUTTON is.

 I have always known since design school that I would develop my own line....but finding exactly what I would do was not as easy of a decision.  For quite some time now I have been designing handbags but something has always been missing.  I did go to school with the motivation of having my own collection [clothes].  I knew I had an appreciation for buttons, so much so that I started collecting them over the years, knowing I would eventually use them in some way.  Then I started thinking of how much of an ambitious project starting a clothing line was, so it was only natural to start with something small and manageable like t-shirts and let it evolve as many other well known designers have done before me.  I knew that I wanted to incorporated all those buttons I had collected, and then the idea formed of literally putting "one" on each garment and it seemed genius!  My next thought was....."eventually I would run out of buttons and would need to get more somehow."  I know how fulfilling giving is but not always an easy pitch sell to even your friends and family.  But something could be said of everyone coming together from different walks of life in support of something larger than them alone to give something back that just about everyone of us have in common,  BUTTONS!!  It doesn't take much.  I thought of what I could give in return for asking people to donate their old buttons as to lead by example.  Expanding your giving power with something as small as a button is THE GREY BUTTON's motto.  I could have easily developed a well branded line that I'm confident would have been successful on its own merit and eventually had custom buttons made with my logo to represent the grey button.  But I was not willing to sacrifice all the good that could come out of this project just for my financial satisfaction!  And it truly is special knowing that your donated button blossomed into something larger than what you may have been able to do alone.  Do you know how many buttons are discarded yearly?  I admit, I don't either......but I know how many I have thrown away over the years, so simple math would tell me that if everyone is doing what I used to do, there are a lot of buttons going in the trash that are perfectly fine!   The truth of the matter is that just because it may not work on the original garment, does not mean that it is completely worthless.  Of course we want to encourage you to continue to donate your gently worn garments, but those items that you would otherwise throw away we ask that you donate any buttons from those garments them to THE GREY BUTTON.  Each donated button is featured on one of THE GREY BUTTON's garments and you can feel good knowing that 10% of the purchase price of your button's garment will be donated back into the community to support several causes from AIDS and Breast Cancer Awareness to the importance of Mental Health and everything in between.  I know that it is not always feasible to donate money but you can feel just as accomplished in donating one or more buttons that would have otherwise been forgotten.  Make sure to continue to follow us to see what we are up to so you can come out to be a part of something bigger than just yourself!

Hold It Together

I have a funny story to share with you.  So late last night I was up talking with my friend and eventually the conversation led to....."Where is my TGB shirt?"  Feeling the pressure I decided right then that I was going to make her shirt right now!  So I started up the process and made sure that everything looked completely even and applied the words across the shirt only to find out that everything was upside down!  I was so mad!  What was I thinking?!  While I was freaking out that I had ruined a shirt and giving myself the punishment, my friend was sitting in the chair laughing histarically!  I had to admit it was funny!  And so fitting when her next words were, "Calm down, hold it together..!  I Love IT!"  As I begged and pleaded with her to let me make her another shirt she somehow convinced me that she really wanted to keep this one.  Or it could have been the twitch in her eye when she suggested that she keep it.  Then she reminded me........ this is exactly what THE GREY BUTTON is about and why I am sharing this journey with everyone.  I want you to see that everyday things can turn into something speacial,  even if you are the only one who knows the meaning behind it, while the rest of the world just thinks it looks good.  So in honor of late nights the TGB upside down "Hold It Together" Tee will also be available for purchase.

THE IRONIC "HOLD IT TOGETHER" MESSAGE TEE!

The Domino Effect

I am trying to recall the last time I tried to make a domino maze. I was never really good at creating one that actually worked. But I am fascinated by people who even have the patience to simply build one, only to watch all that hard work go tumbling down in a matter of a few moments. Yet and still I can appreciate the joy that one must feel when the dominoes fall exactly as planned. Everyone I've ever seen build a maze did so with intense seriousness while artfully spacing each piece, this all with a shaky hand. I just don't think that I could do it. Purposely knock one piece over to kick start the beginning of the end. But who said the ending was bad? I am beginning to think of the "domino effect," as a good thing after reading an email from my friend which made this same observation. Everyone who knows me should know how I am a sucker for mushy success stories. So as I read my friend's email, I started to feel the tears well up in my eyes with each word as she described THE GREY BUTTON as being on it's way to becoming one of those success stories. I emailed her earlier to thank her for all the support over the years once again. Now, I know I have shared stories of my past and the difficult situations I've been in, but today I am reminded of the people who have done nothing but bring me happiness. I have two very special ladies in my life that not only encouraged me with my fashion career but supported me in any way they could. For example, when I had no sales for the month(s) and started to question my decisions, I had my friends to make sure that I didn't let that discourage me. As a matter of fact, they would often be my only sale for the month and not out of pity, but because they really believed I had created a unique and quality product that they loved and was proud to wear. The unselfish amount of love these two friends have shown me over the years has literally been the spark that has developed into THE GREY BUTTON. As my friend stated, "you help the ones you love... and then "you" go on to help those that need it.. i.e. the grey button project!!! its the domino effect... " 

Everyone can be a domino and part of the big picture maze. Please donate your buttons in support of THE GREY BUTTON PROJECT.

A Job that Inspires

A few days ago we all got the news of Steve Jobs' passing.  Quite sad to see such a visionary leave this world.  If I'm being honest, I would have to admit that I never followed him the way half of the world did, although I truly admire the products he designed and most importantly his work ethic.  But then I saw the 20/20 special with Chris Cuomo and Elizabeth Vargas.  Anyone who hasn't watch the special segment remembering Steve Jobs, should!  I immediately wanted to call everyone I know of who was sacrificing comfort to attempt to fulfill their destiny,  but then looked at the clock and decided I could do without being yelled at from waking people up.  But just as my mind started to wonder, as my creative mind often does at the wrong times, another dose of inspiration was being served:

"7 Secrets of Success"

-Steve Jobs-

1.  Do what you love no matter what it happens to be.

2.  Put a dent in the universe.

3.  Say "no" to 1,000 things.

4.  Kick start your brain by doing something new.

5.  Sell dreams, not products.

6.  Create insanely great experiences.

7.  Master the message.

As simple as the 7 steps may seem, some have made me step back and think....."hmmmmm......."  I easily identify with several of the "secrets."  Although I know that these aren't the only secrets, I am willing to invest time understanding all the points.  I mean why wouldn't I take verified great advice from someone who obviously knows what they're talking about?! 

The best part of this story would come the following morning when I received a text message from a friend who also saw the story and thought of me.  And that's when you know that you chose the right road to travel on.  You can't be successful on your own, it takes your passion combined with the support and encouragement of others.  We could all take note from the button and it's pivotal role. After 2 pieces are joined, the button has to hold strong, making the final product "work" properly.  I'm thinking........  I can relate this to building a network of gifted people with amazing talents (pieces), each person being represented by a button.  If we all bring the fabric of our talents together, we could be just like my white button down shirt.  With more buttons than the average shirt in my closet, I know it is because of the buttons I get the perfect fit. 

Next:  Get to work on building my network.

"Appearances take Two"

Throughout my life I have been faced with countless difficult situations.  And for the most part I have considered myself a big girl for getting through those circumstances.  But I must admit that no matter how many times I am put in certain predicaments, I am often completely caught off guard at what comes next.  And that is the agony of feeling despondent as a result of someone elses' actions.  Sometimes I feel like that person who practices so hard to sound good when they sing but they just never quite succeed.  No matter how many disappointment rehearsals I have, I never seem to ever fully master the art of being prepared for life's blunders.  Honestly I'm not sure too many people out there are.  To think that the  "Let Down Movie" only applies to life in general starting from relationships, to work, and even random encounters with complete strangers, who all "appear" to pounce on me then leave me saddened, is not a performance I look forward to.  But then today it was like someone rewrote the script.   If I was the audience, would I have understood the plot as it was before?  The beautiful thing is in many of those cases if I'm unsure of what I "see", I could always just ask for clarification.  I would dare to say that I have this rehearsal scene in the bag and I walked away learning the power of communication and the direct relationship it has with disappointment.  That is why I have decided to retire the old calamity costume because the brand new and improved, redesigned consolation suit fits way better anyway.

Dog vs. Moon

I heard a phrase today that really hit home for me.  "It's common for a dog to bark up at the moon, but if the moon barked back the dog would be famous."  It took a moment before I really got the true meaning, but when I did I had an "ahhh hah" moment.  It spoke to me in such a way that I just had to share it.  I have heard many times that when you start making positive changes in your life you lose a lot of friends.  Suddenly they want to kick up dirt and make an issue out of nothing.  "Barking" if you will.  Seems to me that your friend being happy would be a good thing, but sometimes people's reasoning is flat out backward.  Unfortunate, but true.  How does this relate to the dog and the whole moon thing? Simple.  Entertaining those people that love to hate your success and happiness can only lead to disaster.  By doing so you are giving them not only a voice but the spotlight.  Don't let the dark cloud of ugly behavior take over your sky.  You are the moon........remember?  Let the radiance of your gift push those black storm clouds out of your life so you can get to being vivacious again.

Riding on Fumes

Let me start out by offering an explanation for not posting yesterday.  I escaped to cloud nine for a few hours after a really important shipment finally arrived.  Needless to say that I was preoccupied for most of the rest of the day.  And lets not forget about the big move which is going down tomorrow.  So I have been squeezing in some packing and trying to get my life in order.  As if things aren't already chaotic, I happen to be riding on fumes.  In retrospect I realize now that starting a meeting at 11:45 at night may not have been the wisest thing to do.  Although my meeting was absolutely productive all around, I am only now paying tremendously for it.  To be perfectly honest, it is taking the commitment of every fiber in my body to operate at full capacity in order to try and keep my eyes lids open.  And I don't know who taught me the neat little trick of alternating closing one eye at a time as a means to try to force myself to keep my eyes open and ultimately stay awake.......but I think its working. OUCH! My neck hurts! I could never have a career as a bobble head!  Goodnight I casn'ttssssssss evennnnnns staaa y  .......ummmmm.....huh?  WHAT!!  Oh... what was I saying?  Yeah, I can't keep my eyes open.  I will casht ujp with ua lat............tt.............eeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... aaaaaa a a a   a   a .... . . . . .  .   .  .     .  ..       .         .   NITE!

Sneak Peak!

Old Friends

It feels good to take a break and catch up with old friends and I had the chance to do that today.  There is something to be said of a friendship that seems to just pick right up where it left off, even if it was 17 years ago since the last time you've seen each other.  Until just now I hadn't realize how long it's been.  Weird, like no time had passed at all.  Back to the basics of plain old good conversation filled with laughter.  There is at least one good thing about getting older and that is reconnecting with old friends and seeing where life has taken them to.  Very interesting to see them grow, and then their families grow.  But what I find the most fascinating is what people now "do" in life.  Some people don't surprise you, but others  ---  WOW!  Some good and some bad.  But today.....all good.  I think somewhere way in the back of our minds if we stop and reflect on our childhood there is at least one person that you just knew was going to mature and do speacial things in their life.  The thing is you never know who that person is, and you never know if that person is you.  Sometimes it's just the little things that makes someone "do" speacial things in their lives and one of them is sincerely being a friend.  Thank you.

That's Crazy!

I forgot to mention on top of starting this business and all the fun exciting things I have been doing......I am also in the middle of a move.  When my family relocated to Atlanta the plan was to immediately get started with our business plans.  I transfered with my current job understanding that would allow for an easier transition to a new city.  It only made sense to move close to my job as I would be going there every single day,  well five days at least.  Unfortunately we had to sacrifice not being in an atmosphere where we knew we would be inspired, and instead, on the outside in the suberbs where there seemed to be nothing to do but eat out.  A year later and we were all too eager to get out of there.  Even if we had to make the commute daily it would totally be worth it.  The place that we are moving to is perfect.  Just the right amount of living space and a bonus separate building for my studio.  Wow!  I can't believe I have become a part of the club:  Those who find the "deal of the year."  We would not have even known to ask for anything better.  That's crazy!  So top of the week and I immediately started packing, excited to be on our way in just 4 days.  And then, while cleaning out the washing machine I noticed something at the bottom just sitting there.  If you look closely you can make out an image of a button.  Just a simple token of encouragement to remind me of the task at hand.  All I could do was smile.  Then I thought- "Now that's crazy!"

Next:  Meet with Photographer/Videographer re: Promo Video

Encouraged

Isn't it funny how things seem to work out right on time?  Although I have to admit the situation was not funny at all and never is.  I mean, it's like being the only one in the room with a straight face after the joke while everyone else is crying from laughter.  What am I talking about?  The hardship that comes when you decide to live out your dream.  Exactly the reason why most people never carry out their aspirations.  I heard someone say something to tune of, "In order to fulfill our destiny, we must sacrifice our comfort."  It was so inspiring.  I know for so long I have been deeply scared of not being "comfortable" in my lifestyle that I would not just take the first real step to start my own business and bring my own dreams to reality.  So when I say that it is funny how things work out right on time, I am thinking about exactly how the past week has been for me. When my spouse and I started this journey we knew it would be successful because we would be making a good quality product.  Giving back was just as important for us when we started to create the blueprint.  I wanted to immediately begin giving back by sharing my experiences as we go through this journey, along with my day, my feelings, how the business progresses and words of encouragement.  What I have come to notice is that in a twisted turn of fate, giving back really feels like everyone is giving to me.  I feel encouraged, inspired and renewed.  I hope by following and supporting us you can also have that same warmhearted feeling.  Please donate your buttons and join our effort.

Dont let them go to waste.

Next: Finish storyboard for promotional video.

I SEE!

I am seeing with much more clarity.  I even made the joke that I can literally see better.  I have been required to wear glasses for the past 10 years at least, and to be honest I am sick and tired of wearing them.  Looking back on all the times I wanted to wear glasses so badly as a child, how stupid must I feel now?  As I am sitting her reminiscing about how foolish I must have appeared, I can't help but to recall when I faked not being able to see, and the emotional roller coaster ride I must have taken my mom on when she was confronted with the "fact" that she had a child going blind.  After eye exams and a very sharp doctor, my mother soon figured out I was an impostor and no harm done, right?  I must admit it takes some longer than other to realize that there is no magic pill to reverse age, so now I have to pay more attention to my eyes .  Not just the health of my eyes but what they "see".  But this is great!  I get inspired by so many things I see.  Transforming the inspiration into creativity and then designs.  And my favorite, sitting and people watching.  Starbucks, Little 5 Points and such, I get inspired by how people express themselves through their appearances.  Yes Starbucks......I'm still working!  I'm doing my research - unfortunately with glasses on, but with clarity!

Next:  Storyboard for promotional video.

Chin Checked!

I didn't write yesterday and my apologies.  It was not that I was slacking on the plan.  I finished those business cards and have the designs to prove it!  Yesterday felt like the longest day and I was just exhausted.  A day of being out, researching and such.....I literally crashed when I got home.  Not to mention having to deal with everyday issues.  I pose a question:  What is the next step for you after someone lets you down?  Do you get mad? Sad? Are you capable of just shrugging it off?  Do you hold a grudge?  Having delt with these issues early in life with family and friends, I know I don't want to handle business in the same manner.  What I have grown to realize is that nothing positive ever came from holding a grudge.  Being certain that thruought this journey many people will let me down and convinced I will have my share of NO's before any YES's I have to say...... I'm ok with that.  I just YouTube'd chin exercises to toughen it up and get ahead of the game.  As long as I never forget what I'm working for, how can this not flourish?

Business Card ~ Front

Business Card ~ Back

Next:  Work on marketing.

Coming to Fruition

Today I learned a valuable lesson.  I can do exactly what I set out to do. You know a couple of days ago I had a conversation with my better half about setting goals.  We have always set goals for ourselves, family, and of course our career.  So we haven't been able to understand why we continue to fall just short of those goals.  I mean, I would consider myself a "thinker," and therefore constantly analyzing my day, week, and even year in hopes of  gaining insight as to why I end up feeling defeated and deprived of all that I strive to become. Well during our discussion, we both realized that although we have set targets, we have been setting them low and furthermore, applying mediocre effort.  In return we have only achieved a low level of our potential.  So once again I challenged myself.   To try something different by simply setting my expectations higher and just see what I could accomplish.  It is amazing how insight works!  I am getting things consistently done on a daily basis that just a month ago I felt I would never be able to accomplish.  For instance, yesterday my objective for today was to finish all the graphics so that I could finalize my order.  That means I will  have delivery of my prints for the first designs by the end of the week.  What did I learn?  By creating the blueprint on how to conquer the undertaking, I was able to execute a well thought out plan, and today I delivered!

Next:  Order business cards.

R&R

It feels really good to just rest, relax and recover from last week.  And I had just one of those days. Got caught up on a few shows that I have missed last week and spent some much needed time with my family.  But you know me, I couldn't just turn off my brain.  So of course I found myself planning my week.  The one thing I'm looking forward to the most is finalizing the graphics tomorrow so hopefully I could expect some sort of shipment this week.  I've already imagined how the first sale will be, taking the photo with our first customer, framing out our first dollar, and donating the first 10%  to charity.  I wonder how that will feel.  I only hope to find out soon because the suspense is killing me! There is one thing that I did take away from this weekend, and that is how I want to always remind myself of these restful moments that are needed for my brain, body, and family in order to be victorious at achieving my goals.

Next:  Get to work on those graphics!

Motivation

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."
Harriet Tubman

If at first you don't succeed.....

So still riding the wave of confidence from yesterday, I set out today on the final (first) step of my journey  =====>   Business Paperwork. The final piece of the legal stuff done so  THE GREY BUTTON can officially rock and roll.  So exciting right?  Eventually yes, but not without scraping my knees in the process.  TGIF....oh don't you know! 

Let me walk you through my day..........

What a morning!  I misinterpreted the nurse today at the doctor's office when she said, "the doctor will be right with you," as a few minutes.  Apparently right really means 45 minutes to an hour.  I didn't know that......did you?  After leaving the appointment I simply dusted myself off and tried  to restart my day.  I have a goal in site, and I was not going to let this little incident ruin it.  So you can only imagine my frustration when I called the courthouse and was greeted by the monotone automated lady who proceeded to guide me through a thousand prompts as I  provided my name, address, ssn, mother's maiden name, dad's mother's birthday and a dna sample, and then 6 minutes later I was disconnected.  Four times in a row!  However, I am proud to say, I did not let that discourage me and, on the fifth call, I got through..... to a real person.   Mission accomplished.  In a nutshell, I like the new confident [and patient] me.  So I am making a promise to myself to live by the motto, "If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again".  I'm not a quitter so I may have to invest in a really good washing machine.  Can you dust off mud?

Next:  A day of rest.

Starbucks saved my life!

I woke up this morning with a different feeling.  Still fear but a flutter of excitement at the same time.  After a much needed talk with my sister last night and all the encouraging words, I am feeling the confidence grow.  I am not the first person travelling down the road called LIFE who is forced into making a huge, life changing decision.  Everyone who was ever successful at anything has faced it head on.  The dreaded fork in the road.  Which way do I go?  This could make or break me!  So I did what most of us do.  I called my mom........and oh how mothers know just what to say. I guess I wanted to hear that everything will be ok,  FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS, and I believe in you.  And she said just that.   Armed with a new sense of pride I walked down to Starbucks on such a nice day today, ordered my grande extra-hot white mocha, and let my creative mind take over as I sketched.  Oh how Starbucks saved my life.............at least for the next three hours. 

Next:   Figure out how to get more buttons!

One Million Buttons

The Grey Button proposes a nationwide challenge:  To collect one million buttons.  Why you ask?  Well sometimes we cannot always give money or even our time.  One thing that everyone has to give are buttons.  Do you recall the last time you threw one away?  You probably don't but it is a fact that just about every single one of us, for example, has purchased a new garment that included that "extra button".  Most people forget to even take it off and it ends up getting lost in the washer or dryer.  Others take it off and set it on the dresser.  Eventually it falls on the floor, and next either swept or vacuumed and then discarded.  Or like my mother, you take it off and put it in a secure place along with the hundreds of others that are collecting dust, never to be used.  We have decided to revive those buttons and give them a more meaningful role.  Each button collected will be featured on each one of THE GREY BUTTON garments where it can be appreciated once more. We are committed to helping bring many different people together for a greater cause, which is why as a nation we encourage you to donate those disregarded buttons and we pledge as a company to designate 10% of anything sold to support charities helping communities. The next time you buy something new, please don't forget about the "extra button" and all the other buttons that have fallen off of your old clothes or purchased and never used, along with any others and donate them to THE GREY BUTTON. 

Follow us through this incredible journey.

Please contact nadia@thegreybutton.com for mailing address to donate your buttons.