Success Changes Some ~ by Grace Augustine

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When we begin our career, we are like that fledgling being kicked from the nest…unsure if we can fly, wondering what will be next, what happens if we fall, what happens if we fail?

Within moments we put one foot in front of the other and chase down our dream—setting up storefronts with our creations, hosting book signings, sharing the ins and outs of our crafts with any who will listen.

Months, maybe years later, we move into the semi-successful

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scene. We sell some of our paintings, books, pottery, food, and we think “wow, this is pretty cool.” We continue to paint, write, spin the wheel, knit, create new appetizing dishes-- hoping for that one thing that will make a difference. That one thing that will take us to the big time.

Friends and relatives continue to share our work with their friends and the perpetual circle continues. More and more purchase what we offer, and we see upswings in sales and popularity. We may even win awards for what we do. The next thing we know, we need a bigger, newer storefront.

We invest in making a space customer worthy, aesthetically pleasing. With this comes a hike in pricing, because, after all, we need to pay for the added space, electricity, and other expense that go with having the best. In our penchant to be first, we push aside the customers who made this happen—those faithful followers who pay to purchase what we create.

Soon five star restaurants, publishing companies, art gallery showings, book events are a normal part of our lives. We paste a smile on our face, exhausted from what goes with traveling across the land, setting up our creations, determining who gets published and who doesn’t, and we nod to those who stop by to say hello or request our autograph.

Sound familiar?

As I reflect on the things and places I’ve been so fortunate to be a

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part of, it is a trend. A favorite eating spot was nothing more than a take-out window when it began, photographers who are awesome at capturing just the right shot are now award winners and world renown. Neither of these business owners have time to say hello.

I guess the moral of my story is to never forget your roots…

My first book

regardless of how big you may become. As a creative person who is a writer, painter, knitter, and custom jewelry maker, it has become important to me to keep in touch with those who supported me early on…the ones who purchased the first copies of my books, the ones who purchased the first necklaces and earrings I fashioned, the ones who had to have one of my paintings, the ones who continually encourage me, shoring me up, boosting my confidence to believe in myself enough to keep on keeping on.

Being humble and remembering how you got where you are is not wrong. It is so very right. 

May we never become so haughty that we don’t have time to enjoy those who share our passion. May we never become so caught up in what we do that we stop delighting in a new adventure with our craft. May we always make time for those who support and encourage us. 

All it takes is one smile from a memory of the feeling invoked from that first sale…

Remember?

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