5 tips to creating a Sustainable Business

INSIDE : Learn 5 tips to creating a Sustainable Business through just starting, making a plan, striving for slow and steady, doing hard things and find your tribe!  And listen to my talk at our local Rising Tide Society creative event.

Dried Flower Arrangement

A huge thank you to all the amazing local sponsors, who made everything tasty, so pretty and such fun to be a part of!  Images from Tyler Brooke Photography and Briana Nicole Photography.

Encouraging Business Prints

What is the Rising Tide Society?

Last Friday I was asked to speak to my local Rising Tide, Tuesday’s Together chapter.  For those of you who don’t know, The Rising Tide Society is a national organization that believes an empowered creative economy will change the world – agreed!

By elevating the voices of creatives, sharing their stories, and building a thriving online and offline community, Rising Tiders (that’s what we call ourselves) support creatives in their pursuit of a sustainable livelihood and business.

Rising Tide Society Mega Meeting | Albuquerque, New Mexico

Each month, over four hundred meet-ups happen across the world that discuss a relevant business topic. They believe that magic happens when creatives gather together, support one another, and are encouraged to pursue their passions – agreed again!

The Rising Tide name comes from the quote about ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’.  They believe we all do better when we help and learn from each other.  #CommunityOverCompetition – agreed agreed agreed!

Why did I speak at our Rising Tide Society gathering?

I have been a member of my local chapter for almost two years now and I just love it.  Each month there is an entrepreneurial topic discussed in an open discussion type setting at our meeting.  Our group is amazing and I love how everyone really is there to grow, support and learn from each other!

The founder of the organization, Natalie Franke, is doing a cross country roadtrip and making stops along the way to meet up with Rising Tide groups as she goes.  She recently stopped into Albuquerque, New Mexico and we threw a big party in honor of her being able to attend and to celebrate our amazing creative community.

Pictured below, Kayla Kitts Photography (one of our local chapter leaders), me, Natalie Franke (Rising Tide founder), Shauna (co-speaker) + Julie Haider Photography (one of our local chapter leaders).

Rising Tide leaders

I was asked to speak (as well as Shauna from Wedding Collective NM) to our group of almost 100 creative entrepreneurs.  It was such an honor to be asked and although I was terrified out of my mind, I knew I had to do it.  I’m big into pushing myself to do things that make me scared.

Keep reading to watch the video of my talk.

Public Speaking on hard things

Two years ago, just as I started attending Rising Tide, I started writing an ebook called Just Start.  It is all about encouraging the everyday woman to set goals + dreams, make a plan and work towards it.  I would say my advice is pretty opposite of many of the things out there today that stress the “hustle till it hurts” idea and whether intended to or not, start to make you compare yourself to everyone around you.  I decided I wanted to speak to our group about those topics because they come from the heart.

However, the weeks leading up to my speech, my nerves really escalated.  Not only because I was  scared to speak to such a large group standing on a stage holding a microphone, but I really started to doubt myself.  Maybe everyone would scoff at my “you can do hard things” message, or think I was a phony who didn’t know what I was talking about.

Even though I am so passionate about trying new things and pushing myself, we can all still fall victim to worry and fear of not being good enough.  It is a mental battle we must fight to overcome sometimes daily, but it’s a battle we can win!

Dried Floral arrangement

I whole heartedly believe in encouraging each other and I really believe in the things I was going to share, so when the actual day of our event arrived – although quite nervous, I was excited to share from my heart with the group!

Be sure to check out my Favorite Creative Youtube Channels.

Speaking to our Tuesday’s Together, Rising Tide group

A few ladies took videos of my talk on their cell phone and I am really excited to share it with you (even if it’s not the best quality).  Although I would recommend listening to all 14 minutes, definitely make sure to listen to minute 7:38 and onward – that’s where things REALLY start to get good.  Also, I forgot that I teared up for a moment at one point!

You can watch the video below + be sure to turn on the volume.

After the event was over, I did not anticipate how many people would want to chat with me.  It was beyond touching to hear how many resonated with the message of a slow and steady mindset.  I think it’s something we all long to hear another person give you permission to slow down and build something strong from the beginning.

It’s taken me 7 years to get to the place I am today and I did it while being a stay at home mama to a 1 and 2 year old at the very start.  It can be done, dreams can be made slowly and steadily!!!

Numerous people purchased my Just Start ebook DURING my talk which was incredible.  And by the end of the day was absolutely overwhelmed by all the tags on Instagram and messages from those who attended.  Here are just a few of them… they make me cry with gratitude.

I actually cried numerous times once I got home, I was just so touched by the out pouring of love.

Messages of Encouragement

And the amazing thing is, those attending the event were encouraged by me but, I WAS SO DANG ENCOURAGED by all of them (and by all of you)!

I believe in dreams.  I believe in working so hard to achieve them.  But I also believe in pursuing slow and steady growth.  I believe in being thoughtful with our decisions, time and business choices.

What tips will help in creating a healthy and Sustainable Business?

From the tips of my toes to the top of my head, I believe we all can do great things using just a few of the insights I shared during my speech.  I go more in depth on all of them in my Just Start ebook.  I also have four worksheets you can fill out to help you on your journey and numerous printables that go along with each chapter.

The 5 basic tips are: just start, make a plan, strive for slow and steady, do hard things and find your tribe!  My ebook is written for the every day person who wants to find time for themselves admits busy life, the person who wants to create “something” but isn’t sure what.  For the person who is ready to try that “new thing” that feels so scary.  I think these truths not only apply to business life, but also to your dream of running a marathon, learning a new hobby, opening an Etsy shop and so much more!

The entire Rising Tide event was lovely from the beginning to the end.  We mingled, encouraged, made connections, laughed and cried.  I did a power pose in the dead middle of the room while chatting with a local florist and she laughed saying she couldn’t believe I just did that in front of everyone.  I was like, eh who really is looking at me?  Only later to find out, the photographers got a picture of me!  I’m terrified to speak in front of a crowd but apparently looking ridiculous doesn’t bother me at all, hahaha.

Amy Power Pose

Now, let me know in the comments below, what is the new thing are you working towards?  And which of my five tips did you need to be reminded of the most?

Ready for TONS of inspiration like this?
Does Slow and Steady really win the race?
5 Tips to create a Sustainable Business
I’ve picked my word of the year, now what?
Looking to set some Goals?
Start the year by knowing WHO you are with a Personality Quiz
Start where you can
3 Reasons to Start something New
Life is Tough, but so are YOU printable
Just Start
And then I just Started
Just Start ebook

3 Comments

  1. ivy.by.creativyty says:

    Hi, Amy. Congratulations on your speach! I would like to listen to it but I can’t find it on this page. Can you help?

    1. ivy.by.creativyty says:

      One of those times when you realize you asked and you shouldn’t… I just found video. It wasn’t working or wasn’t loading for some time. I see it now. Sorry.

      1. delineateyourdwelling says:

        Ha, no worries at all. Did it play for you okay after all? 😉

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