“I really don’t want to be a part of that”
“I think that idea is stupid and you are crazy for thinking we will do that”
“Why would you think something like that will work? We’ve never done anything like that before. I don’t want to do that”
In my mind these were the scenarios that played out when I decided to approach Charlene, Jandi and Mina about my idea to start a market for makers. I sat on the idea for months because I thought they would think I was crazy. I knew deep in my heart that God had deposited this idea in me and had directed me to those three ladies. But the idea of starting a market for makers didn’t make any sense – especially when we hadn’t done it before. In the end, I knew I had two choices – would faith or fear have the final say?
If I had allowed my fear-filled scenario to play out in my mind, there would never have been a Craft Savvy Market. We would never have had all the wonderful experiences with makers and costumers that we have had over the past 3.5 years. Charlene, Jandi, Mina and I have launched four face to face markets, a virtual market and are slated to have our first online conference for makers – Resilient 2021 on Jan 9, 2021. We started without a business background and market experience and we’re still here.
Many of us walk around with great ideas and potential to launch awesome projects and collaborations. At some point we have to decide who will have the final say in our life. I have since learned that in order for faith to have the final say, there are three things I must do –
- Acknowledge my fear but move forward anyway – Acknowledge that you do feel scared because you are heading into the unknown but move forward nevertheless.
- Reflect on how I have been on the road of fear before and celebrate my wins – Sometimes when I feel afraid to start something new, I reflect on my Craft Savvy Market experience and remember where we are right now. I didn’t let fear win then and I won’t let it win now.
- Share my story – Sharing my story of fear honestly releases fear’s power over me. Sometimes we keep our battles to ourselves but I’m realizing that the more I share my struggles, the more I realize that fear has no power or authority over me. Faith will have the final say in my life.
by Ciatta-Mae Stubblefield