I'm up early. A decaf latte in my hand and sound-blocking ear muffs ready for when the rest of the family wakes up in an hour or so. It's cold in the house at 6:30 so I also dig out my slippers, hat and fingerless gloves. All handmade by me, but sometimes I wonder how I found the time.
Today I'm up, trying to carve out some work time for myself. Because I sometimes remember: I'm supposed to be running a business too. On top of the rest. I have an amazing team at LuSa Organics, but this business is my baby. It's all out of my head – every recipe, every ethic of how we do it, every scent blend. And I need to stay with it to keep things humming in the direction I have in my heart.
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Occasionally (like today) I feel my confidence waver over just how many things I'm juggling at one time. I want so much to do well at what I've set out to do, but sometimes I worry. Can I pull this off?
Mothering. Homeschooling. Housekeeping. Running a small business. Growing said business. Visioning for the future. Writing this blog. Writing a book. Dreaming our country dream over and over again as we sell our home and get ready for moving. And then there is making time to connect with myself, my friends, my husband, and my family beyond this house.
Sometimes that seems like too much.
Today Pete and I started a new work schedule which has me here at the computer from whatever-time-I-can-talk-myself-out-of-bed until 10:30 AM. Which is great. But also when I do make time to step into business owner mode I panic a little. Because, well, I'm not they business person type. I'm a people-person and a words-person and a teaching-person and a feeling-person more than a systems and production and growth and charts person. And while our products are outstanding, LuSa Organics doesn't compare in size or sophistication to the big-yet-honorable family business out there. (Like this one or this one or this one.) I'm teeny. Teeny tiny little me. Sitting here in a wool hat and PJ's at 6:30 in the morning, tweaking labels and designing new products and trying to update ingredients and prices and do a little marketing between homeschooling, laundry, and dinner prep.
And sometimes I hope that is good enough.
Like today.
i feel ya, sister.
When I stand in the soap aisle, I choose your products. One, because I love them. Two, because I want to support the wonderful business you’ve created. I like supporting small, and not big.
There’s a simple mantra I say to myself when I’m feeling like it sounds like you’re feeling today:
I am enough. I have enough. I will always grow.
Hope your morning was productive! Keep on keepin’ on.
It is more than good enough. Be kind to yourself.
Only you think you are teeny tiny! You are a huge part of the whole entire fabric of the cosmos! We are all connected and your positive connection is HUGE. Your concern over ingredients, packaging, parenting, crafting, etc…, is shared by you and touches so many. Even if you weren’t a business, you still would not be teeny tiny…no one is insignificant…think about the honeybee, Ms. Queen Bee, where would the world be without that teeny tiny AMAZING worker? That’s like you! You’re HUGE, especially in my eyes, and I KNOW I’m not alone.
My business is smaller, and I’m juggling too.
Your post feels good and honest.
It is enough…many of us feel this way…daily:)
I love that Lusa is small. That’s one reason I buy your products, because I know you had a hand personally in making them! Plus I know I’m supporting another mom and I really like that.
I can completely related to having so many hats that I have to put on. Even though I am much smaller than you, I wish I could have more hired help on both the business side AND the home front. That way, I could focus on the parts of the business and staying at home with the kids aspect than bookkeeping and housekeeping. Thank you for your honest post today. It helps to see that even you struggle for balance 🙂 Keep up the excellent work!
It is good enough 🙂
This is beautiful. When I read it this morning it made me cry a little because yes and yes and yes. Thank you.
Thank you Laura.
And that’s why we exist as a business. Because of people making that mindful choice. I’m so grateful that you do!
You do an AMAZING job every day Rachel! Just remember to delegate the things that are not “your thing” to someone who does like to do them.
I know you’re going to think I’m crazy (I do) but I love building spreadsheets! Luckily, its pretty much my job (Product Mgr for catalog company = Spreadsheet Gate Keeper). So if you ever need help in that dept I’m here for ya! 🙂
Same here, working from home, homeschooling tiny ones, doing all the housework myself, cooking from scratch – it never ends and we’re always doing at least 2 things at once!
Such a kind offer. Thanks, Mama!
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DATE: 03/08/2012 03:01:07 AM
Juggling. – Clean.