Fashion Business Owner Musings: Focus on What You Do Have, Not What You Don’t

Have you paid much attention to what you focus on when it comes to your fashion business? Do you think more about all the things you wish you had rather than all the things you do have?

I know it’s it easier to default to the needs rather than show gratitude for the haves. But let’s try to change that because the energy you put out there when you’re focusing solely on what you still don’t have makes it difficult to be in the moment, leveraging your assets (no matter how small) in order to grow and prosper.

It’s as simple a concept as remaining positive while simultaneously working towards your goals rather than being negative and letting that stunt your progress.

Here are some statements that I hear all too often:

If only I had a mentor.

Everything would be easier if I had more money.

I need an office away from the kitchen table but my home is too small.

I have no time to get everything done but I can’t afford to hire anyone.

And so on and so on.

I get it. All of those complaints are valid.

But here’s the thing- it doesn’t matter if they’re valid. If at present they can’t be changed, then it’s your job as an entrepreneur to turn that negative talk into positive talk, work with what you’ve got, and focus on the growth you’re after rather than the things that are keeping you from that growth.

I know that is easier to say than to do. I realize that when you’re working to grow a fashion business, resources are often limited and the exhaustion from trying to make it work without those resources is difficult to work through.

I’m not saying that you should ignore your business needs. I’m saying that you should focus on what you have at your disposal and make a plan for how you’ll use the resources and assets that you do have to work towards the goal of getting what you still need.

Think of it like this  . . .

Have: 500 email subscribers

Need/Want: 5,000 email subscribers

Focus: Ideas and strategies for engaging, impressing, and connecting with your 500 email subscribers

Result: Your email subscribers talk about and share your brand with their friends because they think you’re awesome, thus increasing your subscribers and being on your way to 5,000

See how that is much more productive and powerful than . . .

Need/Want: 5,000 email subscribers

Focus: My list isn’t growing, this is so frustrating! Maybe I need to do Facebook ads. But I don’t have money for FB ads. Forget it.

Growth is all about perspective and focus. Keep that in mind the next time you catch yourself focusing on the negative, OK?

Lots of love and encouragement,

Nicole Giordano

Nicole is the founder of StartUp FASHION, an online resource and community supporting for independent designers around the world with building their businesses. A deep love for the craft of fashion paired with an adamant belief that success is defined by the individual, led her to found StartUp FASHION, where she helps independent designers and makers screw the traditional fashion business rules, create their own paths, and build businesses they truly love. More than anything else, she’s in the business of encouragement and works every day to remind makers and designers that they have something special to offer the world and that they can, in fact, do this thing!

1 Comment
  1. Preppyjohn

    Thanks nicole. I know for sure to focus on what I have and not what I do not have.

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