Do You Have The Courage To Follow Your Dreams?
Published on 5 Jun 2008 at 6:10 am.
2 Comments.
Filed under Business Development, Courage Series, Feature Articles, Savvy Marketing Tips.
On May 29, I invited Jen Groover, innovative genius behind one of the hottest fashion looks, The Butler Bag, to share her thoughts and tips on how to turn a million dollar idea into gold. Hear the conversation from my radio show.
I met Jen Groover about two years ago at an eWomen meeting in Philadelphia. A few months ago, she was the presenter for another eWomen network meeting in King of Prussia talking about her explosive business success and her plans to expand into new markets. As a product development mastermind who assisted in the launch of over fifty companies, she created a concept that she believed would be a smash - The Butler Bag - the world’s first inner-compartmentalized handbag. At the age of 34 and the mother of twins, Jen Groover has quickly become one of the nation’s preeminent business experts.
How’d she do it? What were the keys to her incredible success?
Here are 7 that I heard her talk about on my show:
1. On the business side, some of the things she did included: hiring a world-class PR firm, doing market research, enlisting the aid of experts in her circle of friends, creating a team of quality people to manufacture and deliver her product.
2. Surrounding herself with positive people who lift her spirits and bring out her best.
3. Being passionate. Passion fueled her actions and gave her courage to persevere. She spoke repeatedly about facing her fears and refusing to allow them to hold her back. She said she was more fearful of having regrets than of taking the next steps forward.
4. Having the courage to follow her dream regardless of what others say. She spoke about meeting with industry experts who told said her idea would fail. In a male dominated industry, they told her women wouldn’t buy her idea. Her answer? “Hey, I’m a woman and I would love to have a bag like this!” She refused to abandon her dream. Apparently, with over &1M in sales the first year, a whole lot of women wanted her bag too!
5. Listening and trusting her intuition. I loved hearing her say that because I’m such an advocate of developing intuition and instincts. She said most of the successful people she had met had all said that listening to and following their intuition was part of their success.
6. Leveraging her strength - Innovation. Willing to be creative, resilient and non-traditional, she looks to find different ways to make things happen. Rising to the challenge of being told she can’t do something, she digs in with the attitude of, “oh yeah, watch me.”
7. Going the distance. While many people quit because they feel discouraged, Jen refused to give up because she totally believed in herself and her idea. So often people give their power away to people they believe are the experts and know best. Doing the research is important so that you can weigh all the information when making choices. In my opinion, combining passion, courage, intuition, innovation with strategy is a winning formula.
BTW -Did you that Colonel Sanders, Kentucky Fried Chicken was turned down about 1000 times from folks who thought his chicken recipe wasn’t a good investment? Boy, I’ll bet they were kicking themselves for a looooooong time, eh?
She had a dream. She wouldn’t take no for an answer and she had the courage and passion to make it happen.
- What do you dream about?
- What do you intuitively feel and know?
- What are you passionate about?
- What will feed and sustain your courage to go the distance and do whatever it takes for what you believe in?
Visit: Jen Groover’s new site Launcher’s Cafe. Learn with a pro how to make some of your dreams come true.
What are you ready to say yes to?
Go…. make some magic
Cheers,
Lorraine
www.powerfull-living.biz
Rigdha on 5 Jun 2008 at 11:10 pm: 1
Thanks for sharing this interview Lorraine. I think the point that got me most was #7. You’re both so right, a lot of us give up way too easily. I used to do exactly that.
And it’s taken me four years to realize that if I really want something, quitting can never be an option. You have to keep going even when the going gets tough
lorraine on 6 Jun 2008 at 10:45 am: 2
Hi Rigdha
A friend of mine says many people quit five minutes before the miracles happens.
How strong the desire and commitment to the decision affects what people will do….or not do.
I’m with you in going forward no matter what.
Blessings,
Lorraine