Advice-Get it!

We can't take on major endeavors alone. By that I mean, you will have to; find resources, get feedback, ask a ton of "how-to" questions, and ask for advice. When it comes to asking for advice, I have found that there are those who will be vague and those who will seem to have "forgotten so unfortunately" they won't be able to help. This is not to take away shine from people who will freely give advice, as those people are very much appreciated. I ask questions with the expectation of getting the answers I need. My philosophy: No harm in asking, the worst a person can do is ignore me or just tell me no. HOWEVER, I've had to remind myself to not take it personal when a person is not keen on giving advice. People aren't required to give advice or share how they got to where they are (wherever that is).  When people don't share, it could be for many reasons for which we should find a cup of tea to sip and not let those reasons concern us. So, keep that smile on your face, maintain a pleasant approach and reach out to the next person.

Put YOU on the calendar

While working on my next collection, I decided to work in a few other extra sample pieces. One is an evening gown; which is not a part of my original focus, but I'm going to try it anyway. I was asked to design a gown after my model went shopping and wasn't able to find a gown she liked.  I was a little nervous taking it on, but since I've started working on it, I'm excited to see the finished product. (Maybe I should post "in progress" pics...hmmmm)  In the meantime, the calendar is booked to capacity (Again, not trying to quote Tamar Braxton here).  While I was looking over it, I realized I had not scheduled time just for myself. I don't think scheduling "time for myself" should include the gym or the salon! To me "time for myself" means quiet...peace and quiet ..no talking, no writing, no planning, no thinking.  So while you carefully fill in your calendar with dates, times, and reminders, make a YOU appointment.  

Clothes Everywhere!

So, if you've been to my website (http://tamuincorporated.wix.com/mysite), you've seen this dress. If you follow me on facebook, you've seen this dress. If you follow me on twitter, you've seen this dress. If you follow me on instagram.........and repeat again!

It's been challenging to balance the business and creative portion of this monster, but slowly, I'm learning. To help me balance, each time I finish either a piece or a full collection, I've decided to post pictures, whether the garment is on a dress form or a model. In my mind, people are anticipating my designs and people want to see pictures. Call it overly confident, but thinking that way keeps the tenacity brewing! While you browse through pictures past, present, and future, remember, custom orders are available. And the work continues........

Little Lavender Dress...with a vintage flair.

:-)

I am a comedienne. Not really. That has never stopped me from laughing at my own jokes nor has it stopped me from laughing while typing a funny (or what I think is funny) message. Lately, I’ve noticed I haven’t been laughing as much. I’ve been tense and probably a little too serious. When the days are long, being “on” and “upbeat” throughout, is a challenge. But….smiles and laughs are not only instant attitude boosters; they are FREE, unlimited necessities.

(Were you waiting for an ending? That was the end of this post. And yes; I used a smiley face for the title)  

Back to work!

I hope you have had a chance to check out my first Spring/Summer Collection on my website: http://tamuincorporated.wix.com/mysite.  So now that my hiatus has been over, I’ve been researching retailers that would be a good fit for my label and preparing marketing material to send in hopes of getting meetings with optimistic buyers! Oh yeah; and still sewing. Here’s where you, my dear, lovely, faithful, reader, can help. (Did I mention you were lovely and faithful?)

Please tell me what you want and need to see when you walk into a women’s wear boutique. Just give me the first few words that come to your mind; your comments can be about the clothes, your comments can be about the people that work there, your comments can be about the dressing room….anything! I look forward to getting your feedback. Bonne nuit!

September's Gift

Since I'm still on this "vacation" that I promised myself, I'll keep this short. This is a new month with blank pages. We have been given the gift to write new life stories, our life stories, on those blank pages. I hope you fill yours up with progress, wisdom, accomplishments, laughs, and beautiful memories. Happy writing.

So how did it go?!

So how did it go? It went. Actually, it went very well. With this being my first collection, it was important that the audience understood my apparel vision and aesthetic. Based off of the feedback, they got it! After investing a $hit ton of money and time in a big project, even though we are in a imperfect world, I still had the nerve to actually EXPECT for the presentation to be perfect.  Surprise! Things were not perfect. Between a few backstage mishaps, I had to take moments to myself to just calm down and breath. No, I didn't go have a cigarette or a glass of wine. I had to take moments to remind myself why I was there to begin with. I won't go through the things that went wrong (this time) or what I would change about the entire collection. I will say that I was/am in my element. When you are a part of that type of show, people, including your models, look to you for direction, which I had no problem giving. You have to make quick decisions to adjust to the imperfections; every minute counts. I learned, once again, I can handle more than I thought. Now that's doesn't mean I'm supposed to handle everything all of the time. Side note: I will be enlisting the help of a seamstress. I took my designer walk down that runway and I breathed a sigh of relief, not just because the show was done, but also because my support system was in the audience. That gave me more confidence than anything. My support may not understand the direction I'm going or may not fully understand my business vision. But what I do know is that they believe in me and that's everything.

P.S. I'm awaiting my professional photos from the show that I will post on this blog and on my website.

The Rookie

Twelve days until showtime.  On the last night of this fashion week, there's the finale that only ten out of the thirty designers, in the entire show, get to participate in. I was not chosen as a finale designer. Do I feel defeated? No. Am I disappointed? #&!! Yes. Now I could either choose to have an attitude, which would negate all of my hard work that I've put into this "thing" so far, or I can choose to get an explanation on why I wasn't chosen as a finale designer. I've chosen to get the explanation. My thought was that being apart of the finale, especially, as a "new" designer,  would have been a stamp of approval that I'm making clothes and building a business that's marketable and wanted! But now, four days have past, and I now think that the time, effort, and money I've put into my work, IS the approval stamp! A good analogy was used to compare what I'm doing to a rookie.  Some rookies win the championship the first time and some don't. Those that don't, they never retreat because they know they have the goods. That's all.

Another ONE

Even if you don't follow what goes on in the world of ballet, you've heard of Misty Copeland. I ran across an article in Elle Magazine titled " Proof That Misty Copeland Is the Most Badass Ballerina." (The link for the article is at the bottom of this post.) I noticed in the article, there was a copy of one of the rejection letters she received on her dream catching journey. That struck me as so significant as I was reminded to keep record of my small beginnings: from my current work space that I'll just simply call "The Design Studio" to my first fashion show, and even the rejections! When you start seeing your own progress regardless of how big or small, it does something for your confidence in what you have to offer. Keeping record of your journey is not just for your inspiration, but to inspire someone else. I wonder what Misty thought when she was reading that she was "too old" to follow her ballerina dreams. She may have been sad, she may have had thoughts of "f...this", but she had enough stamina within her to keep the letter ...as motivation and to keep dancing. Next time you receive a denial, don't throw it out. Add that to your "Progress File." You'll need it later for the next "Badass" article featuring YOU.

 (http://www.elle.com/news/fashion-style/misty-copeland-ballet-under-armour)

Un-titled

During my first round of fittings, I mentioned this show will be my first fashion show. Someone responded with "Oh my God, it must be driving you crazy to have thrown yourself into this, that's a big deal." Never mind the "driving you crazy" part. My focus was the fact that I threw myself into this-no planning involved. The planning came after. Is that the ideal way to go when starting a business, or anything, for that matter? I don't know. I don't think there is a definite answer. I hear people say, "Well I'm trying to do this, or "I'm trying to do that." I've had to stop myself from using those phrases. I realized "I'm trying" sounds as if I'm trying to down play my work. That's exactly what I was doing. My thinking was "If I down play it, then I won't jinx the success." That's a dumb way to think. Since I've committed myself 150% to this, I've had to go through a language and a mentality change. To say, "This is what I am doing...." let's people know you are confident in your goals, your ideas-that phrase forces people to listen. I guess the lesson in that for me is to be proud of what is happening. I say to you also, be proud of whatever project, business, etc., you have started and know that you have all you need at this moment to see it through.

                                

Oh $#!^; I almost missed it!

Yep, I almost missed July's introduction! Since I've started making a point to blog specifically about the "First", it's my business to remain consistent. If that is one thing that has stood out for me within these last 4 months, it is the importance of consistency. I've attempted to start my business before, how about 15 years ago (somewhere around there)?! Well, nothing became of it. Why? Because I was not consistent. Deep down I knew what I wanted, but I kept going back and forth. I was "uneven"! That's why now at 37 years old, I sometimes feel as though I'm starting all over. I understand those feelings, but I don't let them put shade over my vision.  Consistency applies to everything you can possibly think of and it takes honesty to acknowledge areas where consistency doesn't exist. So, July has just become the official month of: "Making decisions and sticking to them",  "Being steady",  and "Being positively relentless." Enjoy.

Part 2 of "For your enjoyment"

If you remember in part one, I mentioned sacrifice. Maybe this post is premature; maybe I should wait until I've made more progress in my business, but here it goes. I've realized that starting a business can be a lonely process. I have beautiful people around me who love and support me, so how can loneliness be "here"? Since starting, I've had to sacrifice time spent with my circle. I've had to make phone conversations brief. I'm about to miss out on a trip to support my sister in her competition. I've had pass up those tender moments when I'm just with my family for no other reason than to just see their faces. Sometimes I feel like the little kid who got sent to her room and looks out the window at the other kids wishing she could play too (slightly dramatic, but honest). I've had to say no to weekend dinners, parties, and happy hour chatter. My social life....hmmmm...let me check in my bag and see if it's in there. Taking a break now consists of me completing that little, cumbersome, business chore. This business is my child-it has taken over my life. My hope is that my circle understands my intentions. I certainly don't want anyone to feel like they are less of a priority. I try to get phone times in when I'm driving or take a second to send a "checking in" message. Ok Tamu Talks readers. What do you think? Will better time management help me? or Do I just need to "man" up and deal with it?

We Like Them Big!

Now that I have your attention: I want to thank all of you for reading! Because of you, my "viewing" number continues to increase. I would like to see more comments from all of you! On social media, people are more inclined to comment, when they see other comments.  You can either post your comment anonymously or, if you are feeling real good about yourself, you can use your name or even your personal URL if you have one. So, comment on!

Part 1 For your enjoyment

"Enjoy the process" is what I heard. Then I thought, "How do I enjoy the process when there's so much sacrifice involved?" (Let's talk about that in Part 2.) I have to remember why I set out on this venture to begin with. I've mentioned this before. I have the chance to resume my pursuit of something I love. It's easy to push the "why" aside because your mind is so full of ideas, yesterday and today's to-do lists. Forgetting the "whys" make it easy for frustration to set in. So, I've made a conscious effort to look at my to-do list and understand how each step is progress. I'll replace complaints of being tired with being thankful that I have life to get back in this lane. I've also noticed that simply taking a 10 minute break brings the "why" back into focus. Please hold...for Part 2.