Monday Motivation - Trust The Creator

Good morning! I wanted to share a bit of motivation and encouragement for those who may be feeling a little unsure of what lies ahead. Of course, none of us really know what the future holds, but there are definitely times when you feel stuck in "waiting mode." It may seem that you're held hostage by the "in-between," and you're anxious to know what the next stage in life will hold.

I have been in these places before, and I feel that way now sometimes. My business has grown leaps and bounds over the past few years (thanks to my amazing and loyal customers), but I still feel like I'm on the verge of something new and exciting! I have plans to launch my new branding and new website this Spring, and that may be the stepping stone I need. But for now, I'm in the "in-between." I'm not afraid of this stage, and I'm willing to be patient for what lies ahead. I trust The Creator because He knows what He's doing.

Business and careers are not the only places where we can feel stuck in "waiting mode." Some people may be waiting for the miracle of life to arrive like an expecting friend of mine here in Nashville. Some people may be waiting for a previous house to sell so they can find the home of their dreams. Some people may be waiting for a cure to the dreadful disease that has affected a loved one. Life is full of these "waiting" moments.

When I've been in these places before, it's amazing to look back and see how God directed my path. He put everything in place and worked out every little detail that led me to far better opportunities and circumstances than I could have ever dreamed for myself. Because of His faithfulness in the past, I'm not afraid of what lies ahead. I trust that He knows what's best for me and for those who trust in Him. So cast your cares upon Him, and embrace the "in-between" because He is able to do far more than we can ask or imagine!

A New Year and New Beginnings

Happy New Year! I can hardly believe that 2012 is over, but I'm so excited about the possibilities that 2013 holds! I was so very blessed in 2012... it was my first full year being self-employed with Beth Hart Designs. And I have you to thank for making that happen so successfully. I really and truly appreciate your business and your support so much.

I have lots of new ideas and am setting pretty big goals for this new year. I know that some hard work will be involved, but my batteries have been recharged and my creative mind is running full speed ahead. It's amazing what a little down time can do! I hope you were able to relax and recharge over the holidays so that you too can accomplish great things in 2013.

While I plan to share my ideas and goals with you along the way, this post is more about inspiration and motivation to make the most of this brand new year. One thing I know with all my heart is that I'm doing what I love and what I feel called to do. I know that design and inspiring others are my passions, and while I always feel that there is room for improvement, I am certain that I'm working in a career that's perfect for me.

Of course, there is more to life than just our careers. I think we all have the dream to fulfill a higher calling - strive towards something greater than ourselves. My personal goals for 2013 include the desire to simplify (get rid of all the physical and mental clutter) so that I can focus on what really matters. I hope that by defining what's most important, I can live a more purposeful life that brings glory to the One who matters most.

This brings me to Les Miserables. The musical has meant so much to me for as long as I can remember. My mom and I would sing along to the soundtrack when I was young, and I've been fortunate to see the live performance twice. The release of the movie this Christmas was a dream come true (I've seen it twice with my mom as well). Hats off to Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway for their most amazing performances. Les Mis is a compelling story of grace, dreams, love, mercy, passion, forgiveness, redemption, new beginnings, and fighting for what you believe in - answering to a higher calling. Not only is the story amazing and applicable to real life in so many ways, but it's set to the most beautiful music I know. If you are not familiar with the story, I encourage you to read about it so that you can appreciate the music that much more when you see the film.

I've always been moved (often to tears) by the music of Les Mis, but with the dawning of a new day and a new year, these songs have inspired me even more so:
To make the most of new beginnings and second chances...
To show grace, forgiveness, mercy and passion...
To love others unconditionally....
To fight for what I believe in...
To dream a dream...
To answer to a higher calling.

And so I encourage you to shoot for the Stars (in their multitude) and Dream the Dream with a Heart Full of Love in 2013. Define what matters most and make that your focus in this new year. We have a clean slate and a fresh start to become who we want to be and to make incredible things happen. Cheers to you! And Cheers to 2013!

Here is a print design with one of my favorite lines from Do You Hear the People Sing - it's about answering to a higher calling and the new life that can begin when your dreams, passions, desires and purpose are in rhythm.

The Stationery Academy...

I can't believe we're already half-way through August... where did July go? One thing I do know is that July brought me a life-changing opportunity called The Stationery Academy. I briefly referenced my experiences in one of my Monday Motivation posts, but now that I've had a little time to think it through and soak {some} of it in, I'm ready to share more!

I began Beth Hart Designs in 2008, but only since I got back from The Stationery Academy have I really understood where I was going to take my business... and I have confidence in that decision. I have always believed in my design abilities, but my biggest fear has been that I won't be able to reach my full potential because I don't know how. Thanks to the amazing speakers at The Stationery Academy, I feel equipped to map out a plan that I feel will allow me to reach higher and achieve the goals that I have for my business.

Here are a few of the things I learned and how I plan to implement them throughout Beth Hart Designs:

• I need to more clearly define my design style which in-turn will define my brand. Emily McCarthy shared some fascinating tips with us that can help us find our true design style. She is an amazingly talented designer and challenged us to find inspiration from things around us that we love - not from other stationery designers. She really built up my confidence, and I am so excited about the possibilities that can come from me looking deeper within myself! I have been working on a few collections that I feel truly represent me and my style. Stay tuned!

• I need to build an Etsy store and increase my online presence. The super-creative Rachel Shingleton of Pencil Shavings Studio is the ultimate social networking genius! I had the pleasure of being one of her roommates, and I learned so much from her. She has such a love for social media, and her positive attitude has started to rub off on me - a person who often feels overwhelmed by the internet! She has built a thriving Etsy business, and Etsy is something I've been afraid to tackle... but I'm learning that I've been missing out by not getting on board. I plan to have an Etsy shop open soon, and I'm increasing my social media presence (slowly, day by day). I'm really excited to see where these steps will take me!

• I need to make my client experience a top priority. I love helping customers by designing just the right "look" for their special events, but I've realized that I'm often in such a hurry to get orders completed and shipped out that I forget to include the special touches. I'm working on my packaging, I want my customers to know how much they mean to me, and I want to add a little something special to my orders that will help set me apart from the rest. Amber Housley has established an impressive client experience in her own business, and she shared so much eye-opening information at The Stationery Academy. I'm so glad she shed some light on this important feature that will help to better establish my brand!

• And last, but certainly not least, I know where Beth Hart Designs is going thanks to our wonderful leaders Whitney English Kolb and Natalie Ellis Chang. I arrived at The Stationery Academy unsure of what direction I was heading. I have so much going on within BHD - I have a wholesale line for retailers, I offer custom party designs, I offer wedding designs, I participate in Christmas retail shows, I offer free-lance work for other businesses, I rent a small retail space at The Shoppes on Main in Franklin, the list goes on... and I feel so busy doing all of this half-heartedly. I want to be great at what I do and give it 110%, not just part of me. Whitney and Natalie challenged us to look deep within ourselves and define who we are, what our values are, what strengths we have, and so much more. I didn't know just how much all of this soul-searching would mean to me. I desperately need to make Beth Hart Designs a true representation of me and all that I have to offer. I'm so very excited about the direction of my business, but there is so much {hard} work to be done! I am planning to spend some time re-reading the homework that we were given and start laying the foundation for the future of the new and improved Beth Hart Designs.

I owe a huge thank you to Whitney and Natalie for putting The Stationery Academy together. I know that my business will be better because of their vision and hard work, and that is so valuable to me. Whitney and Natalie have been my long-time stationery industry heroes, but especially now more than ever! Thank you for "paying it forward."

Look at all these goodies I brought home! Talk about successful branding!

Monday Motivation - What You Become

Good Monday Morning! I hope you enjoyed your weekend and are rested and ready for a productive week ahead! I have so many fun projects to work on this week - projects for both my customers as well as the business development of Beth Hart Designs! Tomorrow, I will be sharing my experiences and lessons learned from The Stationery Academy... so stay tuned!

Since my trip to The Stationery Academy, I've been making lists and setting goals for how to improve my brand. I've been digging deep to figure out what it is I wish to accomplish as the owner and designer of BHD. I know that I want to work hard to provide excellent designs, products and services, and I want to inspire a deep passion for Southern living, style and hospitality. But mostly I want to honor our Father in everything I do. More importantly than what I will receive by reaching my goals, is what I will become by achieving my goals. My business means much more to me than just the products I offer, and I'm so excited about the future of Beth Hart Designs!

So while you're working hard to reach your goals, remember that in the end it's more about who you will become rather than what you will receive. Here's to a great week!

Monday Motivation - Failure Does Not Exist

Wow! What a weekend I had! I left Thursday morning for The Stationery Academy feeling a little nervous and unsure of what was to come. I knew that Beth Hart Designs was in need of some guidance  and direction, but what I received was so much more than that. I'm still soaking it all in!

I attended the 2 (full) day workshop with the most amazing business women and designers in the stationery industry, and I learned so much from all of them. I am very excited about the future of my business, and because of the Stationery Academy, I am now confident that I'm capable of doing great things!

The development of the new and improved Beth Hart Designs will be an intentional, fun, detailed, exciting, time-consuming, and slightly scary progression because I'll be laying myself {all of me} out on the line. I'm going to make my business and brand something I'm 100% proud of... and something that will reflect me, my style, my heart, my passions, and my love for Southern living and hospitality. What's going to carry me through this development will be the wonderful support system of family, friends, and clients that I'm so blessed to have around me... Thank you!

I have so much more to share with you about my experiences at The Stationery Academy... it's going to take way more than one blog post! But for today's Monday Motivation, I want to encourage you to pursue your dreams and go reach your potential - knowing that you will not fail. We had to address our fears this weekend, and many ladies feared failure. The wise and encouraging Nicole of Libby Lane Press let us all know that we cannot be afraid of failing, because in our minds we have to know that failure does not exist. Amen, sister!

I came home yesterday to my amazing and supportive husband of 6 years {July 29th is our anniversary} with the knowledge and confidence that my business will be great because I won't fail. I have 22 new friends and motivators from The Stationery Academy, and I'm already so blessed by my family and friends here at home... my cup runneth over!

Monday Motivation - Something Wonderful is About to Happen!

Happy Monday! I apologize for posting so late in the day... we had a 4 hour power outage which has caused my work schedule to be off a bit today. But better late than never, right? Feel free to apply this little bit of inspiration to your Tuesday as well!

This week has me oh so very excited! I'll be attending The Stationery Academy in Pensacola, Florida with 20 other paper entrepreneurs. We will be learning valuable information from some of the paper industry's greatest business women. I can't wait to share my experiences with you when I return! I consider this an opportunity of a lifetime!

The excitement I have for The Stationery Academy as well as the launch of my new and improved Wholesale Line definitely has me feeling that something wonderful is about to happen! I am so blessed to be living out my dream every day by being a stationery designer and entrepreneur.

I think if we all wake up with the anticipation that something wonderful is about to happen... it just might!

Monday Motivation - Today

Happy Monday! Here's to the beginning of a new week - a week full of exciting possibilities!

Lately, I've been thinking about the development of my design business. Sometimes I feel as though I'm just treading water and not making as much forward progress as I'd like. I have big dreams and goals, but I often get caught up in the daily routine of answering emails, sending proofs, submitting and picking up orders at my printing company, ordering supplies, packaging, shipping, etc...

I feel so abundantly blessed to be this busy, but I find myself wanting a little more out of each day. I LOVE designing new invitations and products, I LOVE building my business, and I LOVE serving my customers. I realize that it's time for me to "grab the bull by the horns" and make things happen! I am giddy with excitement over the potential successes and possibilities that are in front of me! I know that with hard work, comes great rewards. And I choose to make TODAY count so that tomorrow is that much better. I can't wait to share with you all of the designs and products I've been working on, and yes, the new wholesale line really is coming soon!

So... no more treading water! I encourage you to start being successful TODAY by working hard and dreaming big so that tomorrow is that much sweeter!

Monday Motivation - Climb Every Mountain

Happy Monday! Hope your week is off to a great start! My mom and I went to see The Sound of Music produced by Studio Tenn at The Franklin Theatre last Thursday night. It was wonderful! We were amazed at how the beautiful music filled the theatre... we truly enjoyed the performance!

I was inspired by all of the songs but especially Mother Abbess's piece "Climb Ev'ry Mountain." The message behind the song seems to be all about exploring life's adventures in order to find what you're most passionate about. There will be challenges along the way, but those tough times are all stepping stones that lead us towards our greater calling. I sometimes think we never truly reach our dreams because they continue to change and grow, but isn't the adventure what life is all about?

Every day is a blessing whether it's full of challenges or successes, and we should embrace each experience for the sheer fact that we are spending one more day chasing our dreams and reaching for our potential! Let's live life to the fullest and be thankful for all of our mountains, streams, and rainbows!