(photo NavyBlur)
Despite being a little nervous beforehand, my creative enterprise session at the Do What You Love Retreat was a real treat. This is me (having a larf) on the sofa next to Matt Stinchcomb (Mr Etsy man) being interviewed by the lovely Beth. The sofas placed on either side of the lamp lit coffee table inspired a mock TV chat show and we were greeted like celebrities with a 'mwa' on each cheek to an applauding audience. Haha it was fun!
Despite being a little nervous beforehand, my creative enterprise session at the Do What You Love Retreat was a real treat. This is me (having a larf) on the sofa next to Matt Stinchcomb (Mr Etsy man) being interviewed by the lovely Beth. The sofas placed on either side of the lamp lit coffee table inspired a mock TV chat show and we were greeted like celebrities with a 'mwa' on each cheek to an applauding audience. Haha it was fun!
Etsy Matt could talk for England, or should I say Germany (he is now head of Etsy for Europe and is based in Berlin) and entertained us with the story of Etsy and it's remarkable growth since it was but an idea in his room mates head only six years ago. What an inspiring story. Two guys who didn't really know what they were doing who had an idea and set about making it happen. Rob didn't know anything about building a website but bought an HTML book and had a go, and Matt who knew nothing of marketing but was given this new role. Between them (and a few others) they made Etsy happen. WOW! It was a real tale of 'starting before you're ready' and learning as you go along! There were lots of fascinating Etsy related tales and tips and I wish I had been in the audience with a notebook so I could have a hope of remembering them all.
And I guess my story was one of learning as I went along too. Beth introduced me and Radiance in such a sweet and endearing way, inspired by visiting last year and being served by my Dad. My story emphasised that I started small and worked in tiny baby steps gently growing my business at the same time as growing my kids! I started with nothing, no business knowledge really, no money to speak of but a little spark of an idea, which eventually sparked another idea, which ignited another...and so on.
I guess when you take small steps like this it doesn't seem like you're moving very far and when opportunities arise like this invitation to share my personal story to a group of amazing people from all around the world it invited me to look back and acknowledge how far I've come. I'm grateful to Beth for that opportunity. (oooh I'm making myself weep here).
But someone in the audience, (brilliant photographer Kat Sloma) wasn't really concentrating ;). She was entranced by the checkerboard shape created by the lamps and this glass of wine and wishing she could run over and capture it on camera! Glad I hadn't drunk it all by the time the talk was over!
9 comments:
aw, so lovely to hear it from yourside. I can imagine you were nervous, but it wasn't like that in the end, it was all cosy and fun! love the first pic of you havin a larf
You look like you are having so much fun in these images! I love your whole story. (And really, I did listen! Really!) :)
I think sometimes you don't realise quite what you've achieved until you stand back and tell someone else about it. Lovely inspirational story. By the way that last image with the wine glass is fabulous.
Lovely post. Your story is so inspiring, Hannah. You should be very, very proud... xx
It was such a privilege to have you join us and share your story Hannah. Thank you so much. I know many people were inspired by you, and grateful for the practical tips you shared too. Look forward to seeing where the next stage of your journey takes you...
BethXx
PS that photo by Kat is amazing!
Hannah! Just catching up...I love reading all your posts about the "Do What You Love Retreat' but especially lovely to see this one. You are inspiring and radiance combined! Lovely to have met you..thank you for being there, and sharing your story. Sparks of inspiration (another form of light!) to carry home with us.
Amazing prescription wonderful flow. It's really a great post.
It was so inspiring to hear you talk - I love that you started slow, baby step by baby step, but slowly built this amazing life for yourself. It's so encouraging to know that it is possible if you just keep on a 'movin!
Thanks for sharing your story - and these images - they're lovely! (I especially adore the last one by Kat. That girl is fantastic with a camera!) ;)
love the refraction in the glass in that last shot!
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