"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are"
~ Theodore Roosevelt
Back in late 2012, we came across this quote and it immediately struck a cord with us. We were about to embark on the unknown.
Opening not only our own business, but a "pop-up shop". Something we had only heard about very minimally and only in large cities, certainly not in our little neck of the woods HERE. in Annapolis.
But it was absolutely perfect.
Do what you can ~ get out there, find the local artists,
find the handmade products, spread the importance
of shopping local.
With what you have ~ & market the crap out of the idea!
Take our ideas & reach out to press, put up posters,
utilize social media, follow all leads,
"pound the pavement".
Where you are ~ THIS is the best part.
We are (almost) always someplace different!
Do it & do it well...no matter where you are.
In our 24 brick and mortar pop-ups, we have been in 16 different locations. We have also popped up in residences, grand openings of other businesses, breweries, restaurants, special charity events, artisan craft events and inside other local businesses. We have driven to countless places, countless times in a variation of different cars, trucks & u-hauls carrying our unique, locally made, artisan products.
Each location displaying pros (great location, open floor plan, beautiful lighting, charming details, built in parking, supportive neighboring businesses) and cons (heat & air conditioning not working, a reoccurring over-flowing toilet ~ you can't make this stuff up, lack of foot traffic, no storage, not able to put holes in walls...)....a slew of unexpected variables thrown at us each time.
Over & over, we have had to do what we can,
with what we have, where we are.
Each location displaying pros (great location, open floor plan, beautiful lighting, charming details, built in parking, supportive neighboring businesses) and cons (heat & air conditioning not working, a reoccurring over-flowing toilet ~ you can't make this stuff up, lack of foot traffic, no storage, not able to put holes in walls...)....a slew of unexpected variables thrown at us each time.
Over & over, we have had to do what we can,
with what we have, where we are.
January 9th, 2018 represented our 5th birthday
and the start of our 6th year in business
and we have continued to strive everyday
to bring our customers locally made, unique gifts.
In fact, starting in 2016, we opened our website to
e-commerce allowing us to be open between pop-ups.
So you know what that means?!
We are open every. single. day.
We are constantly striving to do more with what we have. Finding new local talent, collaborating with local artists
& growing our own boho inspired line ~
HERE. & NOW xo, Amy & El
and the start of our 6th year in business
and we have continued to strive everyday
to bring our customers locally made, unique gifts.
In fact, starting in 2016, we opened our website to
e-commerce allowing us to be open between pop-ups.
So you know what that means?!
We are open every. single. day.
We are constantly striving to do more with what we have. Finding new local talent, collaborating with local artists
& growing our own boho inspired line ~
HERE. & NOW xo, Amy & El
And let us tell ya, it's not always easy. Kids, other jobs, other commitments, social lives, love lives...
LIFE will always try to get in the way.
But no matter what you have or where you are,
always try to make the best use of your circumstances
to pursue your goal
& follow your dreams.
Try to utilize every resource available to you.
Collaborate as much as possible.
Live in the moment. Be HERE. & NOW.
And no matter where you are in life,
never forget what Teddy said.
LIFE will always try to get in the way.
But no matter what you have or where you are,
always try to make the best use of your circumstances
to pursue your goal
& follow your dreams.
Try to utilize every resource available to you.
Collaborate as much as possible.
Live in the moment. Be HERE. & NOW.
And no matter where you are in life,
never forget what Teddy said.
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