It has been months and months since I’ve blogged, and I’m sorry. Why have I been gone? The answer is both simple and complicated: I’ve had nothing to say. And this is why.

I think everyone goes through a honeymoon phase with things they love–new relationships, new friendships, new businesses… We build up dreams around our new loves, see only the ideal, staunchly defend what we love in the face of any discovered flaws or disappointments. And then the reality that nothing and no one will ever be perfect pushes its way into our ideal, and we have to come to terms with loving something or someone for who they are, rather than for what we want them to be.

What I’m trying to say is that the bloom was off the rose for a while. I’d spent a year building this business–writing mission statements, designing the brand, putting my whole self and all of these beautiful ideals and dreams into it. And then it was finished and, unlike in my dreams, it didn’t really get much business. It was, in fact, pretty much as inactive as it gets. I didn’t expect an overnight success, but I thought it would get some attention and gradually pick up speed. The truth was, I got few visits, fewer sales, and it was discouraging. I had spent every waking hour (including many hours in the middle of the night when I should have been sleeping) working on The Sweet Unfolding. I was exhausted, worried, terrified, disillusioned. On top of that, I’d sunk a (relative) fortune into it, and I was quickly going broke. It hurt. I felt like I was failing myself, my business, and all the people who has supported and believed in me.

So I did the worst thing I could do: Nothing. I just checked out. I got a part-time job as a nanny to cover the bills of the business. And while I continued to do lots of planning for The Sweet Unfolding, I couldn’t seem to shake off the heaviness that held me down and kept me from moving forward. I was afraid to try again, afraid of more failure.

Then one afternoon not long ago I had an inspiration for a birthday party–a  whole kit of coordinating items to make a really awesome party. It turned into the design for our O Happy Day party set, which I am putting the finishing touches on now and hope to post soon. Designing that one item set me into motion and from then on I haven’t been able to stop. I needed to find my passion for what I was doing, and by focusing on my own designs I remembered what I loved about creating my company. I remembered my vision, and what it is I set out to do–to offer beautiful items to celebrate meaningful moments in people’s lives. I’ve fallen in love with The Sweet Unfolding again, but it’s a wiser, more mature, more committed love.

So please forgive me for my absence. I hope you’ll continue to stop by this little shop and catch up with us as I work to make it something truly special.

At long last, The Sweet Unfolding is open. Last night at 6:00 we officially launched. It was so thrilling, but I will confess that I was paralyzed with fear for a good long while after the site went live. There are still so many things left to do! And I know there are probably typos and things that I haven’t caught yet and, being something of a perfectionist, that’s hard to deal with.

It’s also really scary to put out for all to see this business that for so long I’ve planned and dreamed and stayed up nights and nights working on. All of these fears of failure instantly filled my mind. I read somewhere (I think maybe in the Ladies Who Launch book) that many of the most successful entrepreneurs claim to never have doubted the certainty of their success. Failure never entered their minds, they said. That’s pretty hard to live up to!

The authors of the book I was reading said that being honest with yourself and looking all your fears in the face was more empowering to them as entrepreneurs. Of course failure is a possibility. Of course you’ll doubt yourself. But you keep on working and dreaming and doing because you have to. Because you know that this is your dream, and you can do anything with hard work and persistence and by being true to yourself. I much prefer the honesty of that approach and mindset. It’s also liberating to know that other successful entrepreneurs had their share of fears and self-doubt.

So, The Sweet Unfolding is open. It’s wonderful that the shop is finally a reality. Of course I’ll be working night and day to make everything as perfect as possible. But for a few minutes I am going to sit back, take a good look at how far we’ve come, and breathe a sigh of relief, rest, and thanks.

Please enjoy looking around the shop!

The shop development is coming along really well! I’m so excited that we’re getting closer and closer to launching. Starting a business is such a huge task. I knew it was going to be when I finally decided to take the plunge, and I thought I had a good idea of how many steps would be involved. Because, seriously, I am nothing if not a planner. I love planning! (On the other hand, “doing” comes slightly less naturally to me!) But I never knew it would be this big. There are more steps than I can keep up with at once, and it often seems that I will never get through my novel-length list of things to do. But it’s fun work, and knowing I am creating this actual business all from things I’ve had in my head for years is extremely rewarding. Seeing it take shape and become reality is actually quite amazing!

I can’t wait for The Sweet Unfolding to be up and running. I’m ready to move on from the start-up planning to the business of running a shop.