33
Seriously, just 33?
Off to count them again.
Yep, just 33. Huh.
In the past 100+ days I've contacted/submitted/entered/emailed/called:
15 stores
4 distributors
1 design contest
1 print magazine
6 design website submissions
1 industry newsletter
2 flash sale sites
7 sales reps
3 jewelry finding manufacturers
38 sample packs in person
16 sample packs mailed
2 speaking proposals for conferences
5 craft instructors
4 industry leaders
2 business coaches
And it seems, apparently (if I'm doing my math right) that a lot of them said yes, or we're still talking and figuring out how best to work with one another.
I'm conflicted about whether to be thrilled at all the amazing changes that have gone on, or super-bummed that I didn't reach my goal of 100 rejections.
Perhaps if I look at this from another perspective.
The Good
Probably the most exciting, dance-around-the-room responses I've received have been from the four big, awesome, amazing online stores I contacted. All four got back to me with very positive feedback, and two have officially placed orders so far (Rings & Things and Stampington). For me, that's huge. These are places I've dreamed about being in for years and now I'm there. Wow.
The Bad
I had absolutely no luck getting into big design websites (like Design*Sponge), and most of the tiny independent craft stores were just about impossible to connect with despite numerous calls, emails, sample packs, tweets and so on. The one time I heard an actual "no" on the phone, it honestly did suck. Shhh. I don't want to talk about it. But in both cases, hiring folks (a real photographer for publicity shots and sales reps for the brick & mortar stores) would make quite a difference.
The In-Between
There's also a ridiculous amount of work, contacts and major "aha" moments that occurred that I never expected. In the last 100+ days I:
- Attended CHA
- Released two new CDs
- Made my very first video
- Created a Facebook page for piddix and a Linked-in profile for myself
- Made a life-list
- Completely re-did my instant download site from the ground up (and tripled gross sales as a result)
- Killed half my printed collage sheets
- Got the go-ahead from three jewelry manufactures to make custom piddix collage sheets to fit their bezels
- Was asked to speak at an amazing conference for 2014
- Purchased and added UPC symbols to all my collage sheets
- Added tons of content and re-did the wholesale section of my website
- Met (in person) with 30-40 of the most amazing people at CHA
- Nearly doubled the monthly views on my blog
- Think I may have found my life's-work
But what about my main goal in all this….to get over my fear of rejection? And am I glad I went through all this? Were all the late nights worth it? Those are questions I hope to answer in tomorrow's "Day 100" post after a little more thinking and a bit more distance.
Posts
4 comments:
Oooh, the queen looks so angry! I think she's jealous of how amazingly well you did in your quest. Yes, thrilled should be the operative word! Also, the in-betweens look very much like "goods" to me. I think you can definitely sit back with a satisfied sigh of relief and pride. Pennie
Thanks Pennie. I'm getting over the lack of rejections, though honestly I thought it was more than 33. Sure seemed like it at the time.
Oh I wish I had discovered your project earlier. It's so inspiring! I am (and so is everybody, I supposed) terrified of rejection.
On my blog I am journaling my one year adventure of becoming a professional actress and filmmaker before I turn 30 at the end of this year. Fear of rejection is one of the things why I am having trouble to really start.
Your's is such a fantastic project, I am so happy for you that you've learned so much and achieved so much as well. Congrats!
I've been sort of a lurker on your blog, but I must say that I am terribly impressed by your 100+ adventure.I'm working on a book project and it's clear to me that the steps you took and efforts you made would--WILL!--enhance the chances of success for my endeavor,too. Thank you so much for the inspiration.
Post a Comment