 |
Transitions: Fantasy FulfillmentWe also asked our readers whether the reality of running a day-to-day yarn business lives up to the fantasy of doing it.
Pretty much, yes. The yarns, the fun customers, the projects and
just being surrounded by something I truly love and enjoy is great.
But work is work, and what I wouldn’t give for a paid vacation
day—so I could knit more. But it is still fun, even if I have
to watch others knit and help them create beautiful items. I wouldn’t
want to go back to the corporate world. I’ll stay right here
in my nice shop!
The reality has exceeded my “fantasy” or expectations—except
in revenues.
Has the reality of owning a shop matched the fantasy, or in my
case, the business plan I wrote in 8th grade? In many ways, it has.
My goals included helping to repair the world one stitch at a time,
creating a supportive, creative environment that would appeal to
a diverse group, surrounding myself with beauty and joy and being
more available to my family. I’ve also worked more days and
hours than I’d planned, found not all customers joyful and
I bristle at all the forms and assessments imposed upon small business
by various governmental agencies. That said, I swear on any day,
no matter how long, how many crabby people, how many forms to fill
out, how far to walk to the car, I’d not go back to pantyhose
and pumps! I love my shop, my Yarnistas, customers, vendors and
all things knitting!
The reality has been far better than I first anticipated. I love
the fact that I can be out on the floor and do creative works whenever
possible, but then I’m just as comfortable back in the office
doing the books!!
Once an attorney, always an attorney. I had no fantasy, so it is
precisely what I anticipated.
I didn’t have the fantasy of sitting around and stitching;
I knew it would be hard work, and having left a world where I was
working 80 to 100 hours a week, I’m doing it now for myself
rather than someone else. After 10 years, there are still days that
I think I’ve lost my mind, but then I don’t think you
ever outgrow that when you’re a small-business owner.
The reality of the business has surpassed the fantasy as far as
meeting people and enjoying the atmosphere of knitters. The part
that has hit me is the reality of running a business; not just selling
yarn. The ordering, the billing, the marketing—that has been
my biggest challenge.
Yes, the reality of the knitting business has been more than what
I dreamed of. I started Be Sweet with women’s and home accessories,
not yarn. We moved into yarn after two years and it’s been
a whole new world for us ever since. We love the industry for its
creativity, community, and friendliness.
Yes, the joy of sharing fiber and knowledge all day long with a
previously underserved urban area. It’s totally satisfying
to have built a knitting and crocheting community. Indeed. Since
making my fortune was never part of my fantasy, I guess I’m
extremely content with my career change. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| ©2008 SOHO Publishing Co. |
