"Pink Tulips" part of the GraceNotes Greeting card collection.
In Part 1 of Starting a Greeting Card Company, I outlined the background of starting to form a partnership with a friend to sell our photography greeting cards online. In Part 2, I reflected on the importance of having a trusted network of friends and advisors to help along the way. In this final installment, I explore the importance of Intention in any business project.
When I was originally exploring a joint venture with my friend, I knew I wanted to sell greeting cards. I also knew there was more to it.
It turns out I have a lot to say about creativity, and connection. I love encouraging others to pursue their own creative path. I wanted a platform for promoting this.
The original “About” section of my website, which I wrote in the Fall of 2021 (and has since been updated..), included the following sentence: “My aim is to share my love of photography, celebrate creativity, and inspire others to notice all the beauty that surrounds us every day.”
Today, in early 2024, I stop to reflect if this still rings true. It does. At the same time, I know there have been many days that I’ve second guessed myself. Why am I doing this? Does anyone really care?
But you know what? I care. Full stop.
The power of intention is very real. Although I certainly thought about why I wanted to start a greeting card business back when I got started in 2021, to be honest, I am actually much more aware now of the importance of clarifying that intention.
To recap, my path has included the following steps:
Step 1: Researched and implemented the tactical steps to starting an online business
Step 2: Gathered an important group of advisors
Step 3: Today, with a couple of years of “side business” experience under my belt, I am spending more time reviewing - and revising as necessary - my original intention.
Some might argue that I should have thoroughly explored my intention as part of Step 1. Perhaps a fully-formed, completely fleshed out business plan would have been the better way to go. But at the same time, I could easily have gotten stuck in that stage, and never moved forward. For me, action is the key. I had to just start, otherwise I definitely could have gotten lost in preparation.
To quote a current favorite book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy, “We are all just winging it.” There definitely isn’t a One-Size-Fits-All approach here.
With that said, when starting any project - business or otherwise - a clear intention provides inner guidance when you question if what you’re doing is making a difference. A clear intention can also give you, and your project, much-needed energy. It can light your path going forward. In some cases, the core reason for pursuing a project may change, and that’s OK. It’s important to constantly take time to revisit it.
So now what? I am taking some time to reflect. That means researching new opportunities to get more GraceNotes out in the world, and exploring new ways to promote creativity and connection. It means consulting again with my trusted advisors to help think through next steps. And it especially means spending quiet time listening to my inner guidance as I review and reassess my intentions going forward.
Question: What projects are you working on? Are you clear on your intentions? Would you benefit from some reflection time?