Around this time last year I began working with Whitney English on branding and business strategy for my blog and what I do.  I didn’t even know things like this existed until I began visiting with my friend Elizabeth of Lovely Little Parties.  She told  me about branding and different business strategies and workflow ideas etc for creatives.  She opened a whole new world for me.  Thank you Elizabeth.  I was struggling with business growth and time management and some other hard issues at the time.  Perfect timing for a little direction. I began to realize there were other women out there with creative dreams and ideas and growing businesses that wanted to take hold of their talents and opportunities and mold into something wonderful, both for themself and others. When she mentioned Whitney English of course I knew the name. I had long admired her brand and work and style.  I never dreamed she would work with someone like me but I sent her an email and I began to read about her Authenticate ideas.

Her philisophy and experience with business and the creative world made a lot of sense to me.  I realized I could really learn from someone like this.  I also wanted her graphic design “touch” on my look and web presence image.  And along with Lindsay Letters who did my lettering for my logo and Kate Baird who did my web design, the “exterior” did begin to change and look better!

Little did I know what she would ask of me and help grow in me would far surpass any help with a logo I desired.  See that is the myth that a good brand and image are about a logo and “look” its not.  There is so much more involved with a business and a brand than the exterior. Just like people. It’s what’s inside that counts right? From Whitney I have learned about the core of a creative business and its importance in the journey. As a Christian I should have known that but as a designer and creative I often get caught up in “the look,” the exterior. So together we began talking about the real reason I do what I do and why it’s grown and been successful on some level.  The heart of the matter so to speak.  And there were tears y’all.  It is a bit like therapy. It’s actually a lot like therapy and its been good.

Whitney has reminded me over the last year to continually go back to the core.   Why do we do what we do?  She says if we are being fake that we can’t sustain it and she is right.  I could never work as hard as a I do day in and day out if I didn’t love it.  You just can’t fake it…you can but there can’t be continued sustainability, creativity and success. And even when it’s good there  will be struggle. And haters and complications when you put yourself out there for hire and online.  It’s a given. But Jesus said “when there is trouble” not IF there will be trouble so not to be surprised right?

This post isn’t just about how great Whitney is…it’s really about basic truths rooted in biblical concepts about purpose and self-awareness and keeping the main thing the main thing. The bottom line, yes Whitney helped with the development and look of my new website.  Yes she has helped with my development as a creative and businesswoman, she has pushed me to look at my core and my dreams and my confidence and ask what if and why? And at the end of the day I know the true revelation and wisdom comes from above not a person.  But I am so thankful excited to see what God is doing through Whitney and Authenticate.  So much of what she has taught and encouraged in me this year has come from her honesty and vulnerability about her own walk in business, family and faith.

She also has helped me face and deal with tough issues like raising my fees and learning I can’t say yes to every opportunity.  All hard things but necessary to address.

It’s Authentic y’all and its not clear cut answers or directions. But it’s some good stuff! The truth is Whitney is so smart and analytical there are times she wears me out and leaves my head spinning.  She is type A AND creative.  That is a crazy intense combo and I am not the type A.  There is no way I can do or even think about everything she has suggested for my business.  Just like her day designer, I love many aspects of it but I dont use every box or have the attention span to read all of the small print.  Nonethelesss, she has stretched and helped me think outside of the box and as cliche as it sounds, try to be more Authentic about my self and my business.  About grasping onto and running with some opportunities and saying NO to others.  No is hard.  It’s scary. Saying no to money and clients is hard. But there are some great things at work like personal health and sanity and timing and kids. I will never forget sitting in a parking lot talking on the phone and her saying “you are going to have to decide what your limit is” and she was right and is right. The bottom line is we all need to ask WHY from time to time.

So why am I posting about this? I know I am talking in circles but I am sharing from my heart. I decided to finally do this because so many people email and ask about how my business and blog developed.  I had been guarded about some of that for a while because of some criticism but I am ready to let go of that fear and hindrance. So when people ask “How can they do what I do?”  What advice do I have for someone that wants to get into decorating or making money with a blog? Well The truth is I don’t consider myself a blogger or writer but a decorator and stylist with a blog. And I know people cringe when I say “it was all God’s perfect timing” but it was and that is the truth. I never could have orchestrated the growth and success of my business on my own.  So I am not being evasive when I dont give specific answers, just honest.  So it has been a lot of  God’s blessing and also a lot of hard work.  Fun work is still work.  Much more work than a cute logo or blog design can convey. And I have learned some things along the way. Working with Whitney has helped me stay grounded in what I do and why?  To identify my strengths and build on them.  To have confidence in my talents and what I have to offer. To move forward but be true to my core. So I would say to those who ask, try to find a mentor, pray for one. Or join a group like Whitney is doing with Authenticate.  It’s not for everyone and I realize that but it has helped propel me to the next level I believe.  Along with many many other people. It feels very vunerable and even boasting to speak about my work this way but I want to share about what God has done and is doing in my life and business. So there you have it.

In 2014, Whitney is starting a new program where she takes 30 women through ten months of her Authenticate program and ideas.  Why? to encourage them and refine them and help them get to the core of what makes them and their dreams Authentic and unique.  She won’t be designing their websites or making their logos or giving them specific answers. She will be developing a community among these 30 women to discuss important issues with honesty and wisdom.  I am excited to be a part of this and if you are interested in this type thing read more about here. Thank you for letting me share a bit differently today.  Back to decorating next time with more from my West Elm photo shoot and a post on sources for the boys bathroom.