I can't believe it's been a whole year since I've started my blog! While I haven't blogged much I'm pretty happy that I've kept this going. A whole year has gone by since I've made the decision to start a blog and business! I'm thinking about where I am today and I can't help but to feel a little sad. I know I have come a long way, I've met so many people and learned so much! But unfortunately, I have also learned that this industry doesn't take too kindly to newbies like myself.
It has been a FULL year since I have showed anyone my designs and after compromising my collection to help lower my costs, I still don't have a full collection to put out into the world. I won't get into too much detail here but I have been struggling to get my collection made within the last 6 or so months (since I left a much larger company and began to work with someone new) and at first I was being extremely patient and appreciative but now I have been forced to fight a battle I never wanted and in a way that has left me stressed and feeling all kinds of anxiety.
These two always make me feel better...unless they are hungry or sleepy, then I can't even deal! HAHAHAHA, JK! | : Arlene Easterwood
It has been a difficult journey for me to put my creativity out there and invest so much of my time and money into something that someone else doesn't take as seriously as I do. I have given so much trust and patience into this and I'm left feeling defeated and unmotivated. For an entire year, I have been trying to bring to life my very first collection and not only have I not been able to do that but I have had to put my creativity to a halt because I can't continue to produce anything more. I know a year doesn't seem too long but when you expect things to happen by a certain time, it's a huge let down when it doesn't.
It's a shitty feeling to have someone take advantage of you and it almost has me questioning everything I am doing. This process has taken away my ability to trust anyone in this industry. I am working on getting the rest of my finished products but at this point I'm not sure when or if I'll ever receive it. I can't afford to start this entire process all over again, some days I tell myself I totally can but then reality hits me and I know there is no way I can financially re-invest myself into this.
With all this being said, I am grateful that I have some of my production, definitely not all, but some and I can't wait to share my next piece with you! I think it's going to be something fun that you all may enjoy! It's an idea I have been working on for quite some time now and I can't wait for it to come to life! As for when my products will start selling, I am going to give this process a little more time to see if my production will eventually make it to me. If a time comes where I get a gut feeling telling me I'll never see everything I've invested, then I'll start selling what I do have. Till then, I am praying that I get a positive message telling me my investment is being shipped over to me and when that day comes, I will set a launch date and post an update! Thank you all so much for following my journey and I hope to see all your little babes wearing Mila James one day, even if it's just one thing!