I’ve been asked, “What does it take to succeed? What does it take to make it big?” more times than I’ve eaten vegan nachos {and I’ve eaten A LOT of vegan nachos}.
It’s not a question with a simple answer.
It’s also a question that causes me to squirm a little, because I don’t consider myself someone who has “made it big.” Does anyone? What does that even mean? I’ve spoken at the Etsy Success Symposium and I’ve been featured on U.S. News and World Report, but I haven’t gotten a call from Oprah. So, where do I fall on the “making it big” timeline?
When people talk about what it takes to succeed, they usually include: hard work, determination, willingness to take risks, and faith that it can be done.
But, there’s usually something missing—something that many business coaches and consultants leave out of the discussion. Watch today’s video to find out what that something is.
Are you still following a script? Who wrote your script? Why do you think it’s the “right” script?
This sounds great April! I tend to mix my interests together a bit more than is recommended as well. I want to be a well-rounded person, and for my customers to see “the real” me as much as they can online, so I like to share different parts of me & my business. We’ll now get to see more of you! Love that & I can’t wait 🙂 Thanks for a great video as always
That’s really encouraging Sarah! Thank you! I can’t wait to share more.
Hey April
Such a fantastic Wednesday Wisdom! Thank you 🙂
I loved how you shared your own story at the end. It made me feel human.
I am also shaking things up a bit with my business and following my heart instead of the crowd. I am also scared of losing followers or changing too much of what my brand is about.
But in my heart and gut I know I’m making the right move.
I’m going full steam ahead towards my dream of being an author (as in actual BOOKS) and also my passion for dolphins. So 50% of all my royalties and income will be donated to saving dolphins from captivity and slaughter, and ensuring that there are more free and happy wild dolphins in the world.
Instead of just saying “I’m donating a portion of my profits” I’ve decided to make it the actual focus of my business. This is a big deal for me and I want to show that to the world.
Switching my focus from the normal way of doing things – the scripted way – with creating courses and doing coaching bla bla bla is going to be a big adjustment. I will be making my income purely from my writing. I don’t even know if it’s possible. But I do know it’s right.
Thank you for having this video at the perfect time. It’s so good to know that even the “big people” like you have difficulty making big decisions.
Huge love! M
Michelle! I absolutely LOVE hearing from you, girl! I’m so excited for you and I love that you’re shaking things up and doing things your own way.
Oh yes…I definitely struggle with “big” decisions. They might not seem big to other people–but they surely feel very big to me.
YAY! love it! thanks for your honesty (always).
First off – totally agree – personality is everything! I have found in my business that when I create designs with personality and without fear and holding back that those are always the ones the client goes for (over the ones that are maybe more safe). Every time! Oh, and it’s WAY more fun 🙂
Second – super psyched that you are going to start sharing other great aspects from your life (esp the recipes – I have recently eliminated gluten from my diet) – I look to you for advice + recommendations + can’t wait to see what you start sharing!
Third – this decision/struggle over business + personal/style blog is probably the ONE thing that has been holding me back lately from blogging – I have been having this same issue and have been trying to work it out in my head before I got back to it. Especially because I want my style to shine through since I am a designer and that is pretty important. So, it’s actually nice to hear that I’m not alone with these issues.
Thanks girl!! xox.steph
Thank you, Stephanie!
YES, YES, YES! Playing it safe just doesn’t work as well.
I can’t wait to share my gluten-free tips. It was really challenging when I found out that I was allergic and needed to stop eating it because it was in so much of what I was eating. I have learned A TON from eating gluten-free for the past ten-ish months.
This is a big struggle for so many bloggers that I talk to. It’s amazing that we let this plague us and hold us back for so long.
I’m still working on putting my personal spin on the things I’m doing. Up until recently, I was back and forth about what I wanted to do and the direction I was heading.
Now, I feel more focused & clear on my goals.
As I continue to build my blog, I definitely will experiment with the things I’m doing. I feel like as a newbie — the sky’s the limit. Thanks for the post — you’ve really got my brain thinking about all of the possibilities!
That’s something wonderful about being new to blogging–you have plenty of room to play and experiment before people “get used to” your style and the types of posts you write and offer. I found my groove with the business stuff, but I feel that pull to add more.
It’s great to hear that you feel more focused and clear! That’s always a GREAT feeling.
cute video in the end! 😉 i think mixing it up will be great because i like variety and it seemed like all of your posts were the business-y videos and then when i saw you ‘unscript’ with all your cutesy pictures it inspired me to chill out (as I said on the previous comment) on the template stuff I’ve been doing. I’m not sure if I follow a script or what that is, but I think I tend to limit my true writing voice a bit because I try to give ‘value’ for the reader and keep them in mind. It was honestly much easier to write when I had a ‘personal blog’ but it doesn’t seem to keep much interest either. Still haven’t figured it out on making it big but I’ll continue to fail and experiment 😛
Thanks Janet! Yes, I experimented with the pictures to see how readers would respond, and I’ve actually been blown away with how many people love that I shared them. Experimenting and being open to failure is definitely how you figure it all out.
I LOVE today’s background wow!!!!
Great advice.
Happy Anniversary for Hallowe’en. Happy Birthday to your husband… and wow…. about your dog… =)
Thanks Phoebe!
April I don’t usually feel like I MUST comment but today I do. I am so excited that you’ll be adding more of yourself to Blacksburg Belle! It sounds like a new ‘whole approach’ and I think it’s going to be great.
Happy Birthday to your husband and Happy Anniversary to you both!
Yay!!! So glad you did, Kagan. I love the way you put it–a new “whole approach.”
Thank you!
Hey April!
I have been a regular Wednesday Wisdom fan for a while! Thank you for your insight!
I just had to comment on how much I am loving that you are going to incorporate the gluten free goodies on your site. I am a jewelry designer (my website/blog are almost done!) and I have found that I feel the same way in regards to my blog. I have brainstorming a lot on what content I would like to include, if I should keep it strictly about jewelry and business or what not….and I don’t even know if this is the “right” decision but I decided to incorporate it all on to one blog because that is who I am. I am too passionate about SO many things, and like how you feel, it all ties into one- there is no seperation!
I look forward to your new additions!
ps- your husband is so sweet!
Jen
Thanks Jen!
It is hard to figure out how many topics to include on one site and whether to separate things out. My husband and I were playing with the idea of starting a new site, The Gluten-Free Vegans, but the more I thought about separating them, the more it felt like the kind of work I didn’t want to do. And, the more I thought about incorporating them together, the more excited I felt. I just have to follow that for now!
He is a sweet one. I love him!
YES!!! Thank you. I am so glad you said it. I feel overwhelmed with all of these “to-do’s” that I am supposed to do to make my shop(s) work and honestly, most of it doesn’t feel very me. Recently I’ve been trying to pick and choose what feels right and what works which has been so much nicer and I’m more motivated to do it.
And YES!!! I’m excited to see all of the new additions to Blacksburg Belle!
p.s. I LOVE the 365 blog prompts! They have seriously inspired me. Thank you for being so awesome.
I know what you mean. Sometimes, you hear business advice, and it makes sense–even sounds like it would work or help BUT it doesn’t feel right for your business. Thank you so much for adding to the discussion–and your support is very much appreciated.
I’m soooooooooooooo glad! Those prompts were really fun for me to put together. That was something that I was REALLY excited to do and offer.
Wow April,
So much of what you said resonates with me! I feel I have been working my butt off for the last 2 years, while my online business is growing (a big part thanks to all of your fab business advice) it’s not showing the results for all of the work.
I have recently starting working a couple of days back in my old field of work in the community sector, running education program’s for women experiencing domestic violence. I feel very confident doing this, I have been doing it for a long time. I recently received a very lovely compliment from a new colleague about my work and it directly related to my personality and the fact that I don’t always follow the “script” I follow my gut. THANK YOU for helping me make the connection!
I too am like you I love all parts of my life and tend not to separate them and I have really been struggling particularly with my blog and social media to just stay jewellery focused. It doesn’t come naturally but I thought I was following what I should be doing to build my brand. I have made a couple of little steps outside of that recently but not too much because I thought it might confuse my followers.
Thank you for modelling exactly how to do it (well maybe with the video hehe still scared of that) open, honest, clear communication, how I operate in the rest of life.
I for one am looking forward to hearing more from you, I think it’s a great move for you, I certainly follow you for your fab business advice but it’s more than that it’s definitely your personality and value system that I relate too, there is lots of business advice out there but I am here for your spin on it so I think seeming more of who you are can only build your business! Good luck I think it’s a great move!
Leanne
Ps. I think you need a comment word limit for people like me ….lol!
Next time, you’ve got a twenty-five word limit…just kidding! I love your thoughtful comment Leanne! I know you’ve been working hard!!!
Whenever you don’t know how to “do” something or change something, I think being honest is the best way to go. I’m human. And, even thought I offer business advice, I don’t always know if I’m making the right move for me, especially when it feels like such a big change. To all the wonderful Blacksburg Belle readers, it might not feel like a big shift, especially since Wednesday Wisdom is staying put…but, when you’re in the middle of it, these decisions can feel HUGE.
You’re so sweet. I really appreciate your support and I look forward to following your progress as you keep moving forward!
I think following your gut is a big thing. I’ve done that most of the way through starting my business – even when it has gone against the done thing. Against the expert advice. The opposite way to what people are boldly declaring works for them. I need this to be fun for me not just another version of a ‘day job’. It’s my business, so I am doing what I want to do. And I do it when it feels right for me. I got advice to start a newsletter right at the beginning, but have only just started doing it now. Because it called to me and I had a really clear picture of what I wanted it to be – which wasn’t the case when I first got that advice.
I also think personality is a HUGE part of the puzzle. If you follow the ‘recipe’ everyone else is, you all end up with the same cake. Same Same = vanilla. The people I gravitate to are the people who really show their personality in their writing or videos.. Who aren’t just telling you stuff – the same stuff everyone else is telling you. Where’s the fun in that?
Hmmm… noticing a fun theme here.
I am finding personality is something I need to work on – I thought I had found ‘my voice’ on my blog but lately have been feeling it is a bit vanilla – like I’m holding back. It is a little bit me, but I feel like I need it to be a mega dose of me to really get my personality across in words.
Maybe we all just think too much and should just go with what feels right and let that guide us. To build our own castle how we want it instead of building what other people tell us we have to. I hate have to.
Hahahaha…I give the advice to start an email newsletter right away! One of the main reasons is because that’s what most successful entrepreneurs say they regret most–is not starting it sooner. But, just like you said, you have to do what’s right for you and your business.
YES! Exactly!
I agree with the mega dose of personality. At the beginning, whenever I was hesitant to say something a certain way, because it might be “too me” and not be what the majority thinks, I would try to push myself to say it anyways–and every single time I was more me and more vulnerable, people liked it more than my other stuff. The stuff that had that “mega dose” of personality got shared more, got commented on more–and that’s not the important thing. What’s really important is it got me closer to working with the right people.
Great perspective and love how you shared your reasoning behind putting more into Blacksburgbelle instead of creating a new site. It’s interesting to hear your thought process!
Thanks Linda! I try to be an open book as much as possible. I know I get a lot out of it when other entrepreneurs share their thoughts behind their business decisions.
Loved this video April and your husband has such a cartoon voice!
So true that sometimes you have to do what’s best for you and that isn’t always the same thing that works for others. Being selective about who and where you take advice from is really important. Wish you the best with the evolution of Blacksburgbelle, I’m sure it’ll be amazing and can’t wait to see what’s in store for you!
April, the outfit you are wearing is adorable, and your videos are always informative and real.
Each week as I view Wednesday Wisdom I wish that I had been an entrepreneur when I was young and that I could have known you and Mayi Carles because I enjoy the videos from both of you so much. I am old enough to be your grandmother (and Mayi’s too), and I find both of you so refreshing (your charming husband too). There is so much negativity in today’s world, so your positive outlook and warm, genuine personality light up the day for all who follow you.
Congratulations on your decision to add new things to Blacksburg Belle rather than create another site………..I wish you continued success and a very Happy Anniversary.
April!
I absolutely love your videos! I think you hit the spot dead on when you said the one element that highly successful people tend to leave out is the fact that they didn’t go out and follow someone else’s path, but instead charted their own. As convoluted as this sounds, I can relay this back to dating. I had been single for awhile and wanted to change that, so I kept reading all these books on dating (The Rules for one) and tried to implement all the advice I kept hearing over and over again about how to approach it. I read everything multiple times and tried out every recommendation, but nothing would ever work. It was so frustrating because I thought I was doing everything right, so why wasn’t any of it working? Then I went on a trip and just let it all go and allowed myself to fully be myself and true to my genuine nature without trying to follow arbitrary rules and looking to have nothing but fun, and that’s exactly when I finally met the man who (might be) the one for me.
I think this also happens in business. It’s so easy to compare ourselves to other people and where they are in their paths and where we think we “should” be on ours. It’s also the easiest way to feel bad about ourselves. They key I think is to recognize that there are models for success out there, but take it as it is and forge the path that is right and true to you.
I can’t wait to see some vegan recipes! I’m also a vegan and always looking for new recipes and spins on current ones. You are definitely your business’ biggest asset and infusing yourself into will surely work out for you!
Thanks for the wisdom April.
P.S. Your pumpkin pictures inspired me to have pumpkin chickpeas for dinner just now!
Thanks for being so candid. I don’t have it all figured out yet either! But you’re right that you just have to trust yourself. As a fellow vegan, I’m thrilled that you’ll be sharing some vegan recipes (chocolate, please!).
Another great Wednesday wisdom episode! I loved the personal story of what you’re going to be doing (and I look forward to the recipes, I’m diabetic and majorly need to start eating better)
Some decisions are huge and going back and forth from what is norm to what your heart is telling you is really hard. I know everyone told me I was nuts to take one etsy shop, and turn it into 4, but I’m enjoying them so much more now, and to me they make a lot more sense than jumbled together, or doing the norm of only picking one product type to do, and knowing me, getting bored way to quickly. That being said I’m still struggling on how to do a web-site/ blog for 4 different shops, and whether or not to do all in one, or 4 different ones, don’t know if I’ll make the right decision or not until I take that first step forward and just get it done.
BTW Happy B-day Chris, and Happy Anniversary 🙂
April! I’m so excited for you!! The new things you are sharing are things you are passionate about and I think it will only show your audience more of YOU. I have been a wedding planner for four years and had a wedding blog and the poor thing was so neglected because I just wasn’t passionate about doing tons and tons of wedding posts. I recently launched my stationery company and my idea was to create more of an all-encompassing blog of what I’m passionate about (simplifying, entertaining, books, etc.). I have a MILLION posts ideas now and truly enjoy my blog so much more now. And because I write about what I’m passionate, my audience has been more engaged too!! Congrats!
YES YES YES on all of the above! Thank you for this video, April. Just what I needed, being in a creative rut today, too many advices of other people in my head.
By the way, somebody pointed me out to your blog, because we share a common background? Up to diet coke getting us through? 😉
I just made a career switch this year and love to finally see there are more of us out there! (when you are in the health care business it seems like you are the only one taking the biggest plunge ever, stepping out of that world).
Hi April! I love what you had to say, and I can’t wait to see how your site evolves…new delish recipes, too! Awesome! I try to cook vegan whenever I can, and I am always looking for new stuff.
I love the idea of integrating your passions into your business, because it is true, if you are doing what you truly love, it’s hard to separate the two. This has been one of the most challenging things I have been struggling with, as I transform my personal blog into a business blog…so many decisions! And, even though I have been learning a ton about how to build an online business, and yes, following VERY useful tips and advice (thanks to you and Mayi, Marie, etc, etc), I don’t want to ‘lose’ who I really am as a person. And this, I see in life, too…following a ‘script’ that you’re ‘supposed’ to be following. I think it’s important that we listen to our inner voice…our inner wisdom that makes us each thrive in a unique way!!:)
P.S. Happy Birthday to the hubby and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! xo