One of the really fantastic things about etsy for me was that it *didn't* take a ton of courage to get started. I didn't have to get a business loan or have a huge marketing budget, I just started.

Now, the courage for this to go from my little side business to the business that supports our family of 5, that did take some serious thought. However, etsy had given us the opportunity to find out that we did indeed have products that the public wanted/needed and we knew we could grow the businesss if we had more time, hence, my husband joining the business.

Courage, if that's the right word, came from a burning desire to make our own path and not be subject to the whims of a bosses poor business decision or a job lost to the poor ecomomy. If we fail (we won't!), it is on our own heads, not someone else. That's really the thinking that pushed us to do this full tilt.

Posted at 2:24 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

Just had an interesting twitter conversation that made me realize the following: sometimes you just need someone to believe in you it to find the courage in yourself to overcome your fears. This is why finding a supportive friend or community is so important!

Posted at 2:31 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

LOL Pixie:)

I think Serena hit the nail on the head. The thing that stops us from moving in new directions is fear of failure or rejection. We all fail at one point or another in our lives and while it sucks ideally we get back up, learn from our mistakes and start over. We start this as early as childhood in learning to walk. Its those that learn that learning from our failures will propel us toward success rather than letting it consume us. Courage is the ability to face our fears and overcome them.

Posted at 2:35 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

I live by a simple motto:

I'm not perfect, I'm perfectly myself. It's served me well. Five years ago I started this business and I've never looked back.

I promised myself that not only would my craft get better but that I would embrace my mistakes. I think" fear of regret" would be far worse than" fear of failure".

I wake up everyday and earn a living at what I love to do. I'm fortunate to have had good success. I work really hard and still make lots of mistakes.

I've mixed up packakges, one headed for Munich ended up in Sydney. But, it taught me I needed a better packing system.

I've met so many amazing people here that are also following their dream, that fear doesn't even enter the picture anymore.

Thanks for asking. :)

Posted at 2:42 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

I know it isn't glamorous, but I no longer had anything to lose. I loved my day job for a long time, and so even though i had my lifelong dream, i was ok with waiting. BUt then i suddenly no longer loved my day job. and i knew i could not stay much longer. so i said, while i have the income, lets get this started...

kinda.

it was also that i was waiting to be ready, financially and also mentally. I studied in a small business management program in college to start, and then i said, ok... now when i have the money.... i planned on opening a brick and mortar.

then one day i realized. the timing will never be perfect, and i will never really be totally ready. the only way to really know what i am doing, is to do it. the only way to get the money... is to spend some.

so i took 125.00 and started buying things to sell. opened a website. failed. but i planned on turning that 125 into 250 and that 250 into 500 and so on. but i failed at the website. ran out of money, didnt sell.

since i couldnt buy more product or sell on a website i got an idea to make some paper bead necklaces. then i was told "sell em on etsy" and it just kept morphing from there... i still feel like every time i get a little money, i should try to double it... so i have my two shops, and i have made many many sales between them. I am not a top seller... i havent even been open a year yet, but i keep growing exponentially. re-investing and re- investing. the risk is really not that high. i only spend money that i make in the shop now.

so courage. not required. tenacity and sticktuitiveness... vision... flexibility....some knowledge of business... and not sleeping. required...

Posted at 2:44 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

Put one foot in front of the other and keep moving.

I always apply the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid) and try not to complicate areas that can be streamlined.

KNOW YOUR COSTS!! I repeat - KNOW YOUR COSTS!!!

Owning your own business is humbling because you have to be able to give up or change your own ideas - this can be challenging especially if you think you're idea was fabulous or that you are 'right'. I find your customers will lead the way. Build on what is working and let what isn't go.

Take any and all advice but only apply what works for you, leave the rest behind. Everyone will have advice, ideas and opinions - you know your shop better than anyone - not all suggestions will work for you.

If you don't love it - don't start - because you will be doing your business more than you every thought possible - even dreaming of it. Having pads of paper beside your bed to write down those middle of the night light bulb moments.

Posted at 2:59 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

Hi Chad! I'm a doer and believe that you have to just bite the bullet. I believe that even with emotions almost everything boils down to a black and white situation. When I've whittled away the emotion, I make my step. I call it facing the fear and moving past it. I have never been unhappy with the decision.

Earlier this year, I was prepared to make a move, but it got shifted thanks to an earthquake in Japan. My gift to myself to making the decision (which is often the hardest part) was a necklace I bought one Etsy that says, "Fortune Favors the Brave." Even though my plan got shifted a bit, it's my mantra. Sometimes when I get stuck in the shady area of gray, I look down and see my necklace and remember that fortune does indeed favor the brave.

Posted at 3:04 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

Yes, I think support from family and friends can be the catalyst - the gift - that gives you the courage to turn what you love into a business.

A series of events caused me to quit a job I actually really loved. Immediately my family said "Concentrate on your Etsy shop - make it successful!" Sewing - and in particular sewing doll clothes - was a passion of mine, and I had been doing craft shows for years, but make it my *day* job? I was scared to death! But through their constant encouragement, and with the enormous help of the Etsy community, my shop is growing and business is good!

And I find as I go along, those things that made me so afraid are so much more manageable through experience and having the Etsy community to bounce those fears off of is immeasurably valuable.

An example:
No sales for a couple of days?
Before: "OMG, everyone hates my doll clothes and I'll never sell another item!"
Now: "I see by my shop stats that these are NORMALLY slow days for me...no worries...it'll pick right back up again."

So for me, hard work, experience, and support = courage

Posted at 3:24 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

In reading some of the reponses, a few mentioned fears of failure. There is no such thing as failures when you are trying to do something. You learn something from everything you do, even when it does not turn out the way that you would like it to. So instead of making it a failure, it makes it a learning experience because you have taken valuable knowledge away from it.

Posted at 3:25 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

To me courage isn’t so much getting over the fear, as it is accepting that fear and uncertainty are part of the natural human process of dealing with change.
Some things that have helped me keep those feeling manageable are:
Setting goals, and milestones to help measure those goals.
Identifying and implementing steps that move me towards those goals without going so fast that I’m completely overwhelmed.
Being willing to make some sacrifice to get to where I want to be – and also identifying things that are a priority that I won’t sacrifice (understanding the difference and being okay with those decisions)
Making a conscious choice to allow myself to take a risk – even if it isn’t comfortable sometimes.
Constantly learning and seeking knowledge. (ignorance is not bliss)
And most importantly, choosing to trust myself - my ideas, the things that are important to me, and the reasons that I decided to begin this journey in the first place.

Oh, and one other thing… no matter what, choose to enjoy the whole process as part of “living” life instead of just letting life happen.

Posted at 3:25 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

For me the key was found in the old Indian legend about a grandfather's advice to his grandson. The story is usually told referencing anger vs compassion but it holds true regarding courage vs fear as well.

The grandfather told the boy about the two wolves that lived inside of him that were always fighting each other. One was angry (substitute fearful or any other emotion) and the other compassionate (substitute courageous in this case). The little boy asked his grandfather which wolf would win the fight to which the old man replied, "whichever one I feed".

Posted at 3:37 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

This is such an inspiring thread. It's this kind of personal sharing/intimacy which doesn't often come with business that I love about Etsy.

Posted at 4:01 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

hollywoodbeads says

You have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back on the horse. Daily!!!! I read and listen to anything and everything motivational I can and stay positive! Surround yourself with people who are supportive of you and your art and take every criticism as an opportunity for growth:) Remember you can't please everyone only yourself! Be happy!

--------------------------

I LOVE THIS!

this is also relevant to me right now, like so many others.

my *strength* comes from God, my husband and my poodle. These are the three biggest sources of support.

my courage comes from my ability to just jump in and try things without fear or maybe that is just blind faith that no matter what it will all work out. I have never had a problem jumping both feet in without a blink. For me, it comes after a few weeks or bit of time and them I am like... who! what the nelly did I just do?

that is where I am at now. I recently left a very good and adventurous business where I had built myself up to a good and solid career to make hats. Yep.... I left bright lights and big city for hat making and couldn't be happier. But some days it is a startling change.

somedays, I have to pull myself up by my boot straps and other days get myself down from the rafters to get some real work done. But all in all, the beauty of today should never be missed by the concern for tomorrow. That is my philosophy.


I will say that I have traveled the world, lived in my car, lived in expensive beach condos and never am I as happy as when I am taking that next step without hesitation. It has not always worked out to what I may want... but is has ALWAYS worked out and to that I say thank God! I may not know the plan, but I never want to miss out n the journey.

Posted at 4:35 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

I think that once you start your own business, it is an even bigger accomplishment to persist. Day in day out, month after month, in spite of obstacles. This is the key to success, because no one will be as committed to your dream as you. Every single day, minute by minute, you have to step forward, put yourself out there, and be courageous.

Posted at 5:58 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

Hi Chad-
Hope your talk will be livestreamed!

I found the courage to start my own business (i left a comfortable job teaching- a job that had things like benefits and a retirement plan, not to mention the approval of my parents who had paid for the schooling that earned me the teaching degree) when I realized that the biggest obstacle to success was my own fear of failure. When I redefined failure as spending the rest of my life NOT doing the thing I was most passionate about (ceramics) and redefined success as being happy and doing more of what I loved, it became a bit easier to take the leap. Like the quote says, our biggest regrets come from things we didn't do...not from things we try.

I also put a lot of faith in research and learning. I scoured the internet and networked with people and tried to arm myself with as much knowledge as possible--and then realized that that process is something that doesn't have a beginning or end but is lifelong. I surrounded myself with people I looked up to and people who believed in me, and I studied my role models and tried to formulate some sort of a "plan." I went in with eyes wide open and the benefit of sound advice and research--and while I didn't know the answers to every question, I did know that answers existed for me to find.

This is a great thread and I know that you are going to inspire a lot of people.

Posted at 8:05 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

I've long thought that "the Wizard of OZ' story had some good lessons for all. Just keep moving to the goal, like the yellow brick road. Along the way, you meet people that need help, but help you, too; some become friends; lots of learning and acceptance; there's always the 'evil' that tries to stop you (whether it be fear of failure or fear of not reaching your goal). And, guess what, it's a tough journey, but behind the curtain is not what you think, it's just another soul trying to find his way, too. And the rewards will bring you home! Well, anyway, I think as a child that's what I learned, and I don't want to be the 'cowardly Lion' :)

Posted at 8:54 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

You pick a point and get started. Small baby steps are fine, going in increments allows you to fine tune your product and store front as you go.Choose 6-10 pieces of what you want to create and take it from there!
Etsy provides a safe and inexpensive way to get started, is so user friendly and helpful.You will find a great buyers and sellers here and lots and lots of inspiration from these artists to keep you going when you're not particularly inspired at the moment. And the biggest biggest lesson to learn here...Do Not be afraid to make mistakes!!!!!! You can only learn from your mistakes and when you're not making mistakes enjoy the serendipty when it comes your way.

Posted at 10:51 pm Sep 2, 2011 EDT

I saw a great quote (on a magnet, of all places) today:

"Start Anywhere"

Kind of sums it all up. You will never have enough time, or training, or money, or items to sell to feel like you are ready to start. Courage, to me, is having no idea of HOW it will work out, but having complete faith that it will.

The operative word in the previous sentence being "work"' of course. ; )

Posted at 12:36 am Sep 3, 2011 EDT

I heard a pastor say this a while ago and it's stayed with me~

"Get up. Take one step. Do one thing."

Posted at 1:22 am Sep 3, 2011 EDT

I have a picture of Gertrude ( Trudy) Ederle on my desk..

Gertrude was the first woman to swim the English Channel in 1926..

She had tried before and was disqualified when her trainer sent another swimmer to recover her from the water..

She also had made attempts at the distance but she stopped and had a tug boat bring her in..

The completed task in 1926...The reporters asked her..

" Why now Gertrude..? The weather, the sharks, the temperature of the water. the distance...all the envionmental and internal stresses..

" Why now?"

She responded.." This time I could envision. ..I saw the land..even when I started, I saw the crowds..I saw the end..I saw my completeing the journey..When all had doubted me..

This is the first time I never doubted myself. Every stroke I took..I saw land..Every mile, Every wave...all I saw in my head was Land..

She thought of land for 14 hrs. and 30 minutes..She knew what she wanted and went after it... She was 21

She was almost completely deaf..because of measels and swimming..and she taught the hearing impaired the rest of her life...

THAT IS COURAGE... and she inspires me..

Posted at 2:55 am Sep 3, 2011 EDT

Yes Chad...Against insurmountable odds..A woman born in 1905...

Only 5 men had crossed the English Channel back then..And she beat them by 2 hrs...

A tug boat with her parents and the only reporter they allowed on board for the first " Snap" of the photo followed her...

There was another tug boat also followed with very p@ssed off reporters..that were on her other side..( they were upset because her Team wouldn't give them the opportunity to be on board of their tug boat..)

So this tug boat would get very close to Gertrude to get her to touch it and then be disqualified..

I took away also..You must visialize..what are you goals, what do you want to accomplish..what is YOUR idea of success? Money isn't always the bottom line...

I don't know who said this, but I heard it once and never forgot it...

" The only difference between a rut and a grave are the demensions.."

Good Luck with your conference!

and make sure you tell everyone..that do NOT rely on feedback from friends and family...

There is some kind of crab ( again I forget) that when put in a jar...and one tries to escape..the others will pull him back in..

They don't want to leave their comfort zone..but don't want anyone else to leave it either...

Posted at 9:55 am Sep 3, 2011 EDT

To build on TheHickoryTree's comment, I think that there's something very liberating about putting everything out there for public scrutiny. I really believe that criticism (constructive- positive or negative) is the only way to improve your art, craft, self, and the courage it takes to submit yourself to "judgment" is ultimately much less weighty than the regret you would feel had you not took the plunge.
For me, coming from a small town, I felt I had no choice but to put my pieces here on etsy. My style is not necessarily the norm or popular in tourist based New England towns (I don't do googly-eyed clamshells), and I felt that I really needed to get exposure in larger cities where people are more likely to take a stylistic plunge and crave something with an edge. I feel it was a good choice, as I have been "favorited" by people in Berlin, Boston, New York, LA, London, etc. This would have been impossible (or would have taken years) had I not joined etsy.
We're in tough times right now, so in my opinion, having the courage to take a chance on something like your own etsy shop is a necessity. And, as someone once told me, "do something that feeds your soul". This feeds mine.

Posted at 12:01 pm Sep 3, 2011 EDT

I love this thread! Thanks, Chad, for starting it. I am so grateful for the readers' responses too.

Overcoming fear and courage: for me - through small events: For years I worked as in admin, in responsible positions, coming home drained, too tired to do anything. I did buy my children art supplies to try and I'd sit with them and show them what my parents taught me, with watercolors, pastels, crayons, etc. I really had not considered myself an artist. The day I was RIF'd from my last job, I drove home crying, clutching that that little pink paper in one hand. Symbolically perhaps, my car died on the freeway half way home (probably flooded the engine - pun intended!)

I'd file applications for jobs, get interviewed & received no responses, possibly due to my extreme beauty (chuckle!). I enrolled in college towards an English AA with the idea of being a copywriter/editor.

A chance remark came from an unexpected source. I was consulting a college counselor on additional classes when she looked at me and said "I've known you for a long time, and always thought you were an artistic person. I'm kind of wondering why you are not going for an art degree." I was a bit surprised. It was like someone turned a mirror on me, from the inside out, had brought up what I had always known but buried it deep, hoping to get to it someday.

I changed my major, which made me happy. At that time I had been making jewelry to give as gifts, and my son, who was attending MICA at the time thought I should start selling online. It took a lot of courage to even consider it.

I took a small business class to see what would be needed and used that as my guideline on whom to call. My heart pounded when I picked up the phone to ask questions from our state's taxation department, the IRS, our city's clerk's office for the business license (I called twice just to make sure I heard right) filing business forms, stammering a bit when I asked questions. Everyone whom I spoke to was very kind and patience with me.

I did hear from discouraging or well-meaning people that I did not know what I was doing, which was true enough but I figure I'd learn along the way. I heard there was no money in art, and the funniest, to me, anyway, was that the name I pick out for my shop was too foreign, that someone might think I'm a terrorist. I kept going because it felt right.

I am still learning, and keep on going at my own pace, because every little positive action is a prayer. Reading encouraging responses on Etsy forums helps immensely as well. Courage is to do something everyday.

Posted at 2:17 pm Sep 3, 2011 EDT

Both my father and step father served in WWII, your post has pricked at many memories, many surrounded by the mystic of great speeches and the history of Berlin. As somewhat of a history buff this takes me to the words of Winston Churchill who said, “Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities... because it is the quality which guarantees all others.”

I asked both my father and step father what they felt was the meaning of courage and their replies were very similar. Courage doesn't mean you aren't afraid it simply means you do the right thing regardless of the consequences.

I'm sure your audience has a deep intimate knowledge of courage. Your trip takes me back to President Kennedy's 1963 speech "Ich bin ein Berliner". I vividly remember news casts showing people trying to escape over the Berlin wall. As a child, I often wondered how deep a longing to free must they have to summon the courage to climb that wall. It is not lost on me that the first person who was killed attempting to escape was a woman. What enormous pride I felt as the wall came tumbling down in 1989.

What an honor for you to be able to make this journey. Etsy, the free market and Berlin! It is with pride I say, "Ich bin ein Berliner" and I have a shop on Etsy.

Posted at 4:24 pm Sep 3, 2011 EDT

This quote came my way the other day.

“We must use what we have to invent what we desire.”
― Adrienne Rich

I found it inspiring because it reminds me to find, believe in, and use my inner resources. Because sometimes that's all we have available to us. Without inner resources, external resources alone can only take you so far. So, the quote says to me that if you have nothing else available to you but yourself, your desire can still be accomplished. And it gives me some strength to believe that.

And of course, I falter at times. So I try to connect with my passion again, and to believe in possibilities again, so I can keep trying to figure out how to make things work in my own little sphere.

Maybe the picture isn't perfect, and the external resources to help you achieve your desires aren't available to you. The quote reminds me to find and focus on what I do have and affirm my desires over and over to myself until I believe and am committed. A strong, clear desire becomes the path and driving force to try and find a way to make it real.

And maybe it takes courage to believe in a future we can't presently see or feel could truly be ours. And maybe that courage to try comes out of necessity too, especially when we see our alternatives. But we can't even imagine a different future until we can clearly define for ourselves what it is we desire that future to be. It can be an awfully bumpy road, but it's also where all the bigger possibilities live.

Rokali is to be commended for creating this etsy avenue as a place where we can come with a desire, and sometimes very little else, to help us pursue a future we want for ourselves.

And thanks to you too, Chad, for posing the question here to give me pause to think about it. And thanks too for giving all of us the chance to read the personal stories and thoughtful responses written.

Posted at 9:53 pm Sep 3, 2011 EDT