What does success look like to you?

A big house in the trendy neighborhood with a late model luxury car in the driveway…

OR

a job that pays enough so you can keep the roof over your head, lights on and food on the table…

OR

simply that you made it through the day without wringing someone’s neck?

Last week, I have to admit the last option was quite fitting.  This week was much more productive in that I got some sewing accomplished, collected payment on a completed project and had time to actually work on my business for a change.  The last of the pieces of the puzzle fell into place today.  My business is truly legit, regardless of which direction I go – sewing instruction, custom sewing or selling handmade items. I now have my sales tax number and was granted a wholesale account by a supplier.  I didn’t necessarily have to have a sales tax number for sewing classes, but it will be nice to have as I expand to selling small handmade items or vintage notions on Etsy.

For me, success at this juncture is simply that I’ve actually made a wee bit of money providing a service I truly enjoy providing.  I actually enjoy all facets of my business – teaching, custom sewing and selling my handmade wares.  In my mind, I will be truly successful when I am self-employed and making more than I do in my current day job.

As earlier predicted, my business this fall has shifted from instruction to more sewing for hire/custom quilts – which is totally okay.  Given my work schedule at the day job, it’s a wonder I can devote any time to my business pursuits at all.

Private lessons are still available in my West Cobb studio. For those wanting a group class, I hope to host a kids’ mini-sewing camp during Christmas break at an area quilt shop.

Custom quilts currently in the queue will be completed and delivered by mid-December.  Unfortunately, I cannot accept any more orders until 1st Quarter 2013.   I am in the process of meeting with realtors and  getting the house ready to sell.  Lots of excitement around here about the future.

  Visiting New England in its full blaze of fall glory has long been on my bucket list.  Last Wednesday, I boarded a plane for Manchester, New Hampshire to do just that.  I spent the day in New Hampshire and Central Vermont admiring the fall foliage before heading to the greater Boston area to meet up with my niece for dinner.  The rest of the time was spent in coastal Maine.  It’s been ten years since I last lived on the coast. Breathing in the salty air as I exited the car at my hotel was yet another poignant reminder that I really need to figure out a way to get back to the sea on a permanent basis.  Portland, Maine is a really neat town with everything this city girl could want or need. I’m already planning a return visit  for spring break or early June.