Have you ever seen a blacksmith or a metalsmith at work?
A metalsmith designs and makes all sorts of cool stuff like tools, sculptures, furniture, cooking utensils, knives, and all kinds of other really great things.
They create these beautiful, interesting pieces of art by forging the metal, using tools to pound, bend and shape the iron or steel into the vision they have for that piece of metal.
It amazes me to see the finished product. From a rough, ugly, cold piece of metal, to an incredible work of art.
The artisan takes time to patiently and carefully give shape to the metal. They’ll mix different metals to create alloys, which then transforms into this really great new element.
The fire, the oils, water, all of it together, used in specific time and quantity, come together with purpose and design. With patience and lots of effort so that your friends can ooh and ahh when you show them this amazing piece of art you use to slice and dice.
Well, I am assuming it’s a knife you just bought from the very skilled metalsmith.
Just like the blacksmith, a business owner, an entrepreneur, has an idea, a product, a service which was birthed out of an idea, a passion, a desire to maybe meet a need, or simply to share an idea with the world.
That idea needs to be given shape, pounded and bent over time.
The difficulties, obstacles, and constraints are like the fire in that foundry. They’ll act as catalysts to either make your idea, product or service pliable or so stiff and inflexible that it’ll take it to its breaking point.
I know what that pressure feels like, believe me.
You see, about five years ago, my wife, our son and I began a long and difficult journey towards starting our own business.
Since my wife and I were in our early 20s, yes, we were already married. We wanted to have something of our own, a venture we could shape, build into a business that would not just bring us revenue but more than that, it would meet real needs and impact other people.
It took the next 20 years of struggle, trial, and errors, lots of errors, moves to different parts of the US. Making mistakes and starting over.
All those years taught us both a lot of great lessons, Like, it’s OK to be afraid of what you don’t know, but don’t let fear petrify you. Another lesson, don’t wait until everything is perfect, you’ll never start anything because things will never be perfect. I’ll give you one more. Don’t be afraid to fail, failure isn’t final. Just start over and don’t quit!
One of the blessings of pursuing our dream has been the amazing people we have met, and the friends we’ve made on the way. Without their love, kindness, and support, we would have never started (you know who you are).
Family support has also been very important to us. Having our parents and siblings who have believed in us unconditionally has been an asset which can’t be overstated.
There has been so many learning opportunities and life lessons we have learned on this journey of entrepreneurship which I’ll be sharing with you in upcoming posts.
I want you to know that I understand how hard you work for your dream, your passion. I know the fear, the sleepless nights, the sacrifices, the blood, sweat, and tears. I also know how sweet the rewards taste when you have those small victories and milestones.
One of the biggest rewards for us is being able to work from home and share the work, the laughs, struggles, the highs and lows with our son who is an integral part of all we do. Our two dogs, which are two of the funniest characters you ever saw, also keep our workday more than interesting.
I’m going to end this post by encouraging you to keep going. Stay the course, don’t quit. Your rewards, those victories will far outweigh the sacrifice you make. Trust me, I know.
The journey has just started, the road my friend is wide open, and the best is yet to come!
