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While at BlogHer, a strange phenomenon happened. I know that I wasn't the only one who noticed it. SJ and Sarah both independently remarked upon it, and I think everyone seemed to be a little perkier, a little more sparkly, a little more energetic, having stepped out of their lives, away from To Do lists and the distractions of family, friends and our jobs, into a big domed room filled with writers, creators and artists half a mile offshore of Lake Michigan. Such distance allows one perspective, a looking backward and then forward. Sarah and I talked late into the evening about our sense of excitement, about the raw potential, of possibilities. We talked about how Kate Harding had given herself two years to make it as a full time writer, about how ordinary people do extraordinary things simply by finding a niche and filling it. I'm reminded how Kate Spade had $10,000 and an idea and turned herself into one of the strongest handbag brands of the decade. And how Martha Stewart turned her fun little catering business into a publicly held multi-million dollar corporation. Sarah and I sat in the hotel bar, brainstorming our passions until the lights came up and we were told that last call had come and gone, so we relocated 40 feet over to the comfy leather sofa in the lobby. While the cars on Ontario Street rushed by on the other side of the glass window, we discussed the whos, the hows, the when and wheres that would capitalize our talents and fill a need that is not being met. For instance, Sarah would love to start her own catering business, allowing her to take a hands-on approach to her talent for designing delectable lunches for busy professionals. I, on the other hand, am always frustrated by the fact that there really aren't a lot of designer options for plus-size women, and mentioned that if there were even designer knockoffs in my size, I would probably buy them. Which gave me the idea to actually set up a plus-size designer-inspired clothing distributor, similar to what ABS does already with the Oscar gowns, only in everyday wear. On Sunday, when Sarah and I lingered curbside at the drop-offs outside of O'Hare, we talked more about our passions, and as I drove away, I couldn't think of a reason NOT to set up a plus-size design house. Hell, I don't have a stitch (HA) of design ability and am the worst seamstress ever, but I am one hell of a shopper and can motivate and orchestrate like a mofo. One of my favorite sayings (other than "People do what works for them") is "What would you do if you were not afraid?" As little girls, we're told in ways both subtle and overt that we are not as capable as boys. We're not given chances to be wrong, to learn from our mistakes; instead we're so afraid of crashing and burning that sometimes we never even try for fear of failing. So we stay where we are safe, always afraid to leave the edge of the skating rink for fear of wiping out in front of everyone. When I think back at everything I've ever done that was exceptional, there was always a little fear involved, a bit of uneasiness and X factor that I pushed to the back of my head, closed my eyes and leaped into whatever it was. And I don't regret a single thing. And as I drove down the freeway, cranking a Pixies song, I couldn't think of what was keeping me from doing it. Other than a terminal lack of free time that already plagues the hell out of me, but still, I might have to look into the logistics and make a business plan. I'll bet Kate Spade was a little afraid at one time. Martha? Probably not, but you get my idea. What about you? What is the niche that isn't being met? What is your talent? What would you do if you weren't afraid? The comments are ready to cheer you on. --Weetabix 10 CommentsLeave a comment |
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FEED ME
I've been thinking about this too! I guess when you're surrounded by so many amazing people you just want to go out and do something amazing yourself. If you ever start that design house, I will tell all my plus-sized friends about it and we can order food from Sarah's catering company for the launch party.
My friends and family have always asked me to come over before any large event to do hair and make up, and then take their photos. I’ve done make up and hair for weddings, proms, big dates, men who wanted to see what they would look like as a woman*, fixed my grandmother’s hair while she was in her casket (cancer, her wig was on crooked... didn’t look right, don’t judge me.) and I always had the best time making things pretty. Even now, when we gather at my mother and father’s house as a huge raucous group of adults and children my sister always wants me to give her ringlet curly hair a blow out and my mother wants me to “do up” her eyes for church. It would be nice to be in the position to be a makeup artist, a cosmetologist or a photographer.
*Seriously, don’t judge me.
My current pet peeve that I want fixed? SHOES. Specifically, I cannot find attractive, reasonably priced, sandals that don't give me blisters. I want to make shoes that have soft, comfy, non-skid, don't-get-all-stinky insoles but don't look like the so-called "comfort" footwear. They would need to be available in narrow, medium, and wide, in a wide range of sizes.
That, or I want to be an advice columnist.
I'd be a full-time student if I wasn't afraid AND had a lot of disposable income.
If I wasn't afraid, I'd take my chances on being a full time writer or freelancer. I grew up wanting to be a writer, but when I think about what really interests me now and what I actually do now -- it's books, PR, clothes! clothes! clothes! (read: fashion) and weight/health issues. I told my boyfriend my brilliant idea for combining some of those things just last night.
That idea? Finding a way to distribute/sell high-quality clothes (opening my own shop or some sort of personal shopping service) to above-average sized women and then marketing the hell out of it. The market is certainly there.
I guess great minds think alike.
:-)
I'd be a vocalist if I wasn't afraid but I have done things simply because I was afraid. I let everyone know how dangerous breast implants are despite the fact that doing so exposed my life and the lives of my family. I couldn't think of keeping what I studied and knew to be true about the dangers of implants no matter how anxious it made me. I spoke out and lots of women heard me. So maybe they'll never hear me sing, but they will have heard my voice about safety and body image when it comes to breast implants, the product we are urged to love but which will hurt us.
Well as you mentioned, the cool clothing in sizes for the fabulous is a serious need. So when I stop working to just feed,clothe, and shelter my offspring, I'm going to be making some pretty dresses in sizes not easily found.
ooh this is reassuring to read, coz i felt like this during/after blogher and was just wondering if it was all the alcohol :) i think gathering so many chicks in one room, away from the everyday crap, gave us the space and faces to start verbalising all these dreams and ideas. and just a sudden awareness of our potential... and POWAHHHH!!!
i think your idea is a goodun, and so is sarah's! go forth and conquer, vixens.
I would so invest in both Weetabix Brand Designer Knock-Offs and Sarah's Delectable Lunches for Busy People.
I mean, if I had the money.
Writing about fat acceptance -- not just deciding to write full-time -- was a big conquering-the-fear thing for me, for similar reasons to what Sybil describes. What if all my thin friends stopped reading my blog? What if they thought I was crazy -- or, worse yet, "just making excuses"?
And the amazing thing is, not only have I already developed a bigger readership than I ever imagined, I have heard from several thin friends that they never thought about this stuff before, never realized you could be healthy and fat, never examined their own prejudices toward fat people -- so they think what I'm doing is really important. Before I started, I imagined them all going, "Okay, Kate's gone off the deep end in some perverse effort to justify her fat ass."
The reality rarely matches up to the fears.
Oh, Kate. That last line slays me. You could not be more right.
I'd go back to school and become a librarian. I'd love to spend my days surrounded by books and helping to show people how much reading can enhance their lives. Plus, the whole sexy librarian thing? I could totally rock that look.