be inspired – the {r}evolution apparel blog

Wearing Local for One Year: A Slow Fashion Interview {Part II}

Yesterday, we had the chance to interview Rebecca Burgess, the face of The Fibershed Project. She has committed to wearing clothes made only from materials sourced within a 150-mile radius of her home in California, and as her year of wearing local wraps up, we asked her a few questions about sustainable design and personal challenges.

{r} You are also an educator and textile artist. As designers wanting to make the best decisions for people and planet, what advice would you give us about entering the industry, compromise, and sustainability?

I highly recommend the mantra, ‘make do with what appears to be little.’

Start from the inside out. What do you really want to create in this world? What do you ideally want to offer as a service or good to your fellow human? What is the systemic impact of your product?

When I reflect on the word ‘ideal’– it reminds me how this project began… it was an ideal scenario… and the question existed… but can the ideal work?

Your ideal becomes your goal, and you move towards it. You take leaps, and risks, and sometimes you work with self-imposed limitation to get there. Ideal doesn’t land in your lap, you make it happen.

Now that I am closer than ever to my ideal scenario, I’m better informed about how I would want this to be scaled to become available to others in my community. Keeping with the ideals, the clothing would be a product of a human-scale, and deeply ecologically thoughtful processes.

The current caliber of ‘sustainable’ textile production is summed up by the owner of one particularly famous environmentally friendly clothing company (that I’ll remain nameless), who says, ‘The cost of manufacturing is inherently going to damage the earth, that’s why all business needs to have a pay-back plan to the planet.’

What that person is saying and accepting as truth is that we as humans are going to continue to have a material culture that does damage. The problem with that scenario is that we live on a finite planet, and damaging manufacturers cannot continue to expand on a finite planet. This clothing company is not inherently sustainable, nor is it doing anything to create a vibrant and thriving planet; ultimately all the money put towards conservation, and protection of the environment is at best, (in a historical snapshot), neutralizing the effects of an ever- growing manufacturing process that will eventually exceed all attempts at neutralizing.

I think the next wave of textile production will be looking at how to manufacture regeneratively. How to make the process a living, ecological model. Can you eliminate the concept of waste? If you can close your loops, and balance your carbon, then your system is as harmonious as the process of breathing. And, it will last the generations, and not simply be a blip on the screen towards ecological collapse.

Planting the dye plants, harvested later for dyeing fabrics

Leather in Fibershed: DIY

Local sheep used to make socks and legwarmers, among other things

Part of the dyeing process

{r} And the question everyone wants to know: When the year ends, what’s next for you and Fibershed?

The next wave for Fibershed is to expand out of my wardrobe, and begin to look closely at how we can create a bioregional supply chain that does no harm. We are celebrating the Fibershed as a whole, and bringing attention to our plans for the first ever, solar-powered, farm-based cotton and wool mill. We’re throwing a party on May 1st, and you’re all invited!

We are inviting people from everywhere — because we see a Fibershed as a replicable module. This isn’t just about our bioregion, its about the potential that exists in all regions!

As the personal challenge ends, I forsee Fibershed having a for-profit and non-profit wing. The for-profit wing will be a host of bio-regional fiber growers and processors working together to create the best possible garments. The non-profit wing will be working on R&D (research and development), and grant-writing to secure the funds to help develop innovative manufacturing systems — everything from rotational grazing regimes, so that farmers can get help to improve their soils, and sequester carbon, to developing closed-loop water systems in our fermentation indigo dye house.

It is all completely exciting, and the best part is, it’s already happening!

A huge thanks to Rebecca for sharing her expertise with us. Her story makes us re-think the boundaries of a seemingly-oxymoron, “sustainable fashion.” We encourage everyone to check out Fibershed and spread the word!

Rethinking Fashion: An Interview with HOLSTEE

{A Note on the 2k Competition: We won’t find out who won until this weekend, but we’ll be sure to let everyone know! A huge thanks for all of your support — we sincerely appreciate the amazing turnout.}

If you haven’t heard of HOLSTEE, you will. Meet Mike, Dave, and Fabian: three guys, living in Brooklyn, who design and curate “kickass products, sustainably made, with a social impact.” It really doesn’t get much cooler than that.

It all started around the HOLSTEE tee, with a holster-like zipper-pocket for all the stuff dudes carry. They’ve branched out with “fins,” wallets and pendants, and an entire curated collection. The amazing part? Every product is made in a way that helps people and planet.

HOLSTEE is a special inspiration for us, because these guys created a company that reflects their lifestyle, and encourage others to “live their dream and wear their passion,” as well. We had a chance to interview them and find out what young entrepreneurs think about trends, sustainability, saving the world, and living your dream.

{r} HOLSTEE’s manifesto has become slightly famous (check it out here). In it, you say, “Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them, so go out and start creating.” How did the idea for and creation of HOLSTEE come to be?

Well, like you said, Holstee all began with the idea of putting a pocket on a shirt, but at the time it was one of a few projects I was working on with some friends at Incubaker. We always loved working together and had a few side projects going on at any given time. We came to realize that if we all focused our energy, even if it was part-time, we could take one concept and push it much further than we could multiple projects. We put the other ideas on hold and decided to move forward with Holstee. At that same time, my brother and I decided we were ready for change. It was almost summer in NYC and we decided to quit our jobs in the heat of the recession and focus full-time on Holstee and see how far we could push it before running out of cash. We figured in the worst case scenario it would be the best summer of our lives and we would find jobs again, and that is how we got started!

{r} Starting a business is never easy. What were some early obstacles that you dealt with, and what advice would you give yourselves if you could do it all over?

Production was a big challenge for us at the beginning. Without backgrounds in design, fashion, or producing apparel and accessories we had a huge learning curve. The biggest takeaway was always sticking to your gut when it comes to design, and budget twice as much time and money to produce anything, especially when it’s the first time.

{r} Sustainability and responsibility are cornerstones of HOLSTEE. We think more and more people are asking, “What’s in this product, and who made it?” What are your thoughts on the shifts in consumer trends and attitudes?

As new and increasingly transparent brands emerge that educate consumers on the entire ecological impact of an item, consumers become more aware and begin to take responsibility for the impact of their purchases. It is too easy to frown on child-labor, pollution and pesticides one day, then turn around and buy a t-shirt from the local fast-fashion outlet around the corner without considering the effects. The most important thing people are continuing to realize is that each dollar spent is a vote and investment towards what you value in life.

If you would like to see more local stores you need to stop shopping at chains, if you want to see less waste you need to buy things with less packaging. On the other side, designers and businesses need to offer not only the most ecological option but the best design and quality to make the consumers’ choice as easy as possible. It is the crossing point between mindful consumers and meaningful products where we will really see some growth. Hopefully, this will help shift the harmful phenomenon of over-consumption and waste.

{r} As “change-makers,” what do you think about power, responsibility, and a small group’s ability to impact the world?

I am positive that every decision each person makes has a huge domino effect. The most obvious example I can think of is when someone smiles. Next time you are on the subway or in a crowd of people try giving a genuine smile and see how contagious it can be.

{r} And finally, what’s next for HOLSTEE?

Oooh good question! We are hoping to release about five to 10 new products this year and are currently prototyping a few — still top secret though ;-) We are also working to grow the curated part of our site, continually offering new meaningful products to your growing community. And of course lots of travel and fun in the meantime!

A huge thanks to Dave for setting this up, and to the crew at HOLSTEE who continue to kick ass and provide products we can all feel good about buying. Check out their online home here, and connect on Facebook and Twitter to keep following their story. {r}

It’s Not About Ideas, It’s About Making Ideas Happen

99 Percent is a one-of-a-kind resource. It’s the website of a think-tank, focusing on what happens between inspiration and results. The tagline says it all: “It’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen.”

Today I stumbled across this video, “If I Knew Then What I Know Now: Advice for Young Creatives.” Sometimes it’s good to see people who are at a totally different stage in the game and reminisce about their beginnings.

When you’re having one of those frustrating days and would rather search through Monster.com than think about that great-yet-daunting idea, 99 Percent is there for inspiration. It’s a great tool for learning about leadership, organization, financing, creativity, and the rewards of perseverance. {r}

How to Realize Your Uniqueness and Carve a Niche

We all have something to offer the world that no one else can. Cheesy, but true. If we’re all completely different people, and there’s no one else in the world exactly like you — well, then, you have something that no one else does.

Defining that can be tough. Figuring out what you have to offer isn’t always easy. There are those who just know what they want to be and what they have to give the world, and then there’s, well… the other 99 percent.

As we muddle through our marketing strategies and competitive analyses, we’re forcing ourselves to define our USP — Unique Selling Proposition. What does our product have that truly sets it apart from everything else in the market?

It turns out that USP’s aren’t just for new businesses. Figuring out what you have to offer the world is part of life; finding out why you’re here and what you’re meant to do is human nature. Some of us drift through life hoping our uniqueness will one day appear, and our purpose will be clear. Others seek their purpose, and constantly ask themselves, “What do I have that truly sets me apart from everyone else?”

Maybe you have a lot of compassion. Or patience. Or intelligence. Or wit. Regardless of what qualities you have, the combination is truly unique to you.

And once you figure out what only you can offer the world, you can start working towards changing the world. Cheesy, again, but still true.

Today, we’re sitting down and asking ourselves the following questions, hoping to further define our niche and customer benefits. If you’ve found yourself wondering what you really have to offer, and what you’re really supposed to be doing with your time on Earth, it may be helpful to ask yourself these questions as well.

What problem can I solve for people?

What can I do that’s different from what everyone else is doing?

What makes my combination of qualities superior to others?

Do I fit into an existing niche, or do I break the mold?

How could people benefit from my combination of qualities?

No matter where you are in your business or your life, it’s always important to take a step back and ensure that you’re doing the things that fully utilize your qualities, and provide value to others for personal fulfillment. What’s your USP? {r}

A New Year, A New Us: How to Abandon Excuses

One day, Shannon and I were taking a walk, and started talking about yoga.

Me: “I’ve been wanting to take classes for so long! I just never do. I keep thinking that I will when I have money.”

Shan: “I know, me too…”

And then we talked about all the other things we’d like to do in life, but because of money, laziness, or time, we haven’t.

For example, some simple things from my list:
Do 30 sit-ups and push-ups every morning while listening to a feel-good song.
Take another photography class.
Spend a season snowboarding.

And a few things from Shannon’s:
Compartmentalize my time better, so I remember to leave time for “fun” things.
Start mediating again (in addition to the yoga).
Move to a new city, meet new people.

We are probably the queens of, “Just do it; excuses are for wimps.”

But we can be guilty, too. We have a vision of what we want our lives to look like “someday.” And we keep thinking that we’ll get there “someday,” and it will be great. When we have more of this or that, and we can do all those cool things that make up the cool people we want to be.

That day on our walk, I think we reminded each other that if we would just do those cool things now, our lives would be what we want them to be.

No more excuses. It’s a new year. A new us. More motivated for a more balanced life. More in tune with the present. More active. Dare I say, more “proactive” (I’ll be snowboarding in Colorado for the next few months, and Shannon is moving to hipster Austin at the end of January, both of us accomplishing our #3).

What have you been wanting to do in life? {r}

How We Became Designers {Part III}

{This is the third post in a series about our transformation from totally-not-fashion-designers, to convincing a professional pattern-maker that we graduated from fashion school. Catch up by reading Part I and Part II.}

Croqui is French. I think it means “lifesaver.” A croqui is an outline of a naked woman. It’s a tool, for newbies like us, to trace and practice sketching our clothes onto.

Searching croqui under Google Images gives designers a million different options. There are baby croquis. Plus-sized croquis. Impossibly skinny croquis. Busty croquis. Whatever type of person you’re designing for, there’s a croqui to match.

When we started designing our line we printed out all the croquis we could get our hands on and began drawing. First, we made a sample “look book” of all our 100 clothing combinations. When we finished, we had two pages full of 3-inch-tall women, wearing our line.

Shannon started calling them “sassy little ladies.” The process was fun, and made us feel legitimate.

Next, came the phase we both dreaded: spec sheets.

A spec sheet is a piece of paper with every minute detail of a garment. Every measurement, every button count, every zipper length. We needed to figure out what size hems we wanted, and what color thread to use for the seams.

We had to have technical drawings of our clothing as well. Close-up. Side view. Front. Back. And for measurements, we took all of our favorite brands, Googled their sizing charts, and found an average. Plus, we measured ourselves with a 25 cent measuring tape from the nearest bodegona. We guessed our way through it.

We frantically drew up the designs before our first meeting in Nicaragua, attempting to show how each piece can convert into something else. We traced everything with sharpies, took photos of them, (as scanners are a hard find in Managua), and formatted everything with MS Word.

We were proud of our attempt as we walked into our first meeting with Sonia, a seasoned pattern-maker. But we didn’t think she’d actually believe we were real designers. She praised our designs at length, and wanted to know where we had studied fashion.

For us, this is just one more example of the truisms we’ve been learning in this process:

You can learn enough about anything to pass.
Expertise is overrated.
People will always help you along the way.
Determination is the key to success.

How We Became Designers {Part II}

{This is the second post in a series about our transformation from totally-not-fashion-designers, to convincing a talented pattern-maker that we’ve graduated from fashion school. Part I can be found here.}

Before leaving the States, I bought the “fashion bible” – The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing. I read it cover to cover, and realized there are a lot of people out there just like us, with an idea, but no real knowledge about how to produce clothing.

The author calls them “designer entrepreneurs.”

So we started with an idea. At the time, we were kind of inspired by our discovery of infinity scarves. I thought it would be cool to make a scarf that was reversible four ways, and could be a regular scarf and an infinity scarf too. My mom thought we could turn it into a purse as well, so I gave that a go.

Using some cheap, ugly fabric, I started sewing.

It was a wreck. I don’t have the patience for sewing.

So I had a fugly, unfinished scarf in my closet and was back to square one.

Then, I sat down with a pencil and started sketching. Everything. It wasn’t pretty. After looking at my drawings, you’d be surprised to learn that I supposedly have good motor skills.

But I kept practicing. For all of two or three weeks, and little by little, things got a bit less fugly.

Shannon arrived in Guatemala. We finally talked about our ideas, and started forming the real base of our line in our minds. And we both drew, more and more. It turned out that she didn’t need three weeks of extra practice; her motor skills are apparently more evolved than mine.

With two people, the process takes a little longer. We’re still working on the kinks. What color should this be? Should these straps snap or tie? Should this be loose or tight? Where is this going to fall on the calf?

We finally came up with some rough sketches of what we wanted and deemed them “acceptable,” but we would have been embarrassed to show them to anyone else.

That’s when we learned about croqui’s. And spec sheets. And sizing charts. And how to convey a design to a professional.

And that’s what we’ll share on Friday. {r}

How We Became Designers {Part I}

When we were back in Nicaragua, toying with the idea of getting samples made, we spent some time with a Nicaraguan pattern-maker, named Sonia. During that time, we showed her our detailed sketches and explained the designs for our line.

As she drove us back to our hostel, she asked me what I studied in school. I said business. She then looked at Shannon and said, “Where did you go to fashion school?” She was shocked to learn we really know nada about design.

This is a woman who has been to places like Paris, New York, and Miami for fashion shows. She lives and breathes fashion. She told us that she had once learned a specific, difficult stitch only used by Yves St. Laurent. She is no rookie.

And yet, somehow, we managed to give her the impression that we aren’t rookies.

When did this happen? Three months ago, we were far more concerned with finding something we could import back to the States.

The extent of my sewing knowledge stems from a week spent in eighth grade, making a dress with my Grandma’s guidance.

And sketching people? Forget it. I can doodle a bad-ass flower, but drawing cute little outfits is a whole other story.

How do you even begin to “design” something? Where do you start? What do you need to know?

And then, how do you start a clothing line?

We don’t have all the answers. Yet.

But we’re going to share what we’ve learned in the next two posts.

It turns out that design is not as inaccessible as it sounds. Actually, I think that applies to most things in life. Learn something, be determined, fake it a little, and you can become, well, anything. {r}

Learning from the Experts: Fashion Label AmareSinh

{We meet people on Twitter. Sounds lame, but it’s true. The month we launched our blog, fashion brand AmareSinh launched its line. Huyen, (the financial, marketing, and legal brain behind the operation) was one of our first followers and gave us some (much needed) words of encouragement. We’ve been following the AmareSinh story, and had a chance to interview Huyen via e-mail a few weeks ago.}

First, here’s a little bit about the line:

AmareSinh is a Philly-based women’s ready-to-wear fashion line, newly launched in August 2010 by three siblings. AmareSinh was designed with the mindset that business professional clothing can be fun and just as suitable after work for the 5-9PM. The line incorporates both the designer’s personal creativity, as well as inspiration from today’s fashion crowd, to create clothing and style that is trendy, chic, and ready to wear.

{r} So, how did AmareSinh come into existence?

My brother, Huy, the designer, decided to quit his day job and move to Shanghai to live his dream of starting a fashion label. He asked me to help him, I agreed to it, and that’s how the idea started. We entered the “I am Free Enterprise” competition to attempt to win start-up capital. In the end, we lost to a fitness instructor, but during the voting period, our video received over 6000 views in less than two weeks. The positive feedback and encouragement from family, friends and network were what led us to launch the business.

{r} You launched in August of this year; how long did it take you to go from concept to launch?

The concept started in October of 2009. It wasn’t until April, after that competition, that we really launched into developing the business.

{r} I especially like that your line is “fueled by [customer] feedback,” which brings us to market research: How did you analyze the market for your line? Did you “test” your clothing at trade shows, etc. before you began production?

I completed my Masters in Engineering Management from Duke University in May 2009. The program was instrumental to helping me start this business because it gave me the experience of writing a business plan, albeit in a completely different industry – bio-fuels, and the opportunity to pitch it. So before launching, we had a solid business plan.

We analyzed the market by looking at the global and national market for women’s apparel, as well as purchasing trends for our target demographic. Tradeshows are too expensive for a bootstrapped company like ours. To test the market, since there are four girls in the family, all moderately to extremely fashionable, all of AmareSinh’s products must pass the “I would wear it test.” We also surveyed a few of our friends and fashionistas in our target market for their opinion about the clothing.

We also set up a discussion forum on our Facebook fanpage, as well as a Twitter account and even a YouTube channel, which we use to communicate to our audience and get feedback from them.

{r} You are running a for-profit company for the first time. How have your prior expectations differed from the reality that’s panned out?

Having started a non-profit in Vietnam, Hue Happy Project, which trains impoverished children how to make handicrafts that are then sold to support their families and fund their education, I experienced a full spectrum of reactions and behaviors so I didn’t have many expectations going into for-profit. In terms of running the business, it’s a lot easier in the U.S. than it is in Vietnam, because in Vietnam there are so many layers of bureaucracy and corruption that it takes more time and patience to start a business the right way.

{r} What mistakes would you correct if you could, or what advice would you give to complete novices starting in the garment industry?

Do your market research and understand the dynamics of your customers’ behaviors. I thought I could run the business primarily through an online retail store but very quickly realized that women want to try on clothes, especially if its higher end, before they buy them, unless they know and trust the brand. I am now trying to get our clothing in boutiques and other retail stores.

I know Huyen is a busy woman, so it’s really cool that she took the time to interview for us. If you all want to follow the AmareSinh story, too, here’s what you need to know. {r}

For Shopping: AmareSinh Online Store

For Tweeting: @AmareSinh

For Friending: AmareSinh Facebook

What Goes In, Must Come Out: "The Story of Stuff"

This is the “Story of Stuff.” It’s about how our things get made.

It’s about how big companies take the natural resources of developing countries, strip them, toxify them, and churn out finished products to consumers like us.

It’s scary. Because what goes in, must come out.

Have you ever thought about the chemicals on your clothes? I don’t want to sound like a hemp-wearing hippy, but seriously, have you ever noticed that your hands feel dirty after a big day of clothes shopping?

Forget for a second all of the toxins that are on your clothes right now; preserving color, wicking away moisture, defeating smelly microbes, and even retarding flames (should your clothes catch on fire).

Instead, think about the way your clothes were made. All of those synthetics had to come from somewhere. They were manufactured in some factory, in some developing country. Then, they were applied to your clothes, by people, in yet another developing country, that probably doesn’t have proper safety regulations.

The factories’ smoke polluted their air. The byproducts were dumped into their rivers. And we bought their products.

And so it goes; the cycle of fashion continues. We buy, they produce, and no one wins. We all lose. We lose precious resources, beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and our health.

Organic is not just a buzzword. It’s an important element in reclaiming our human rights — the rights that the big-wigs in the fashion industry have pilfered away so readily for a quick buck.

This is why we believe that organic is the only answer. Truly organic. We won’t have it any other way. {r}

What Goes In, Must Come Out: “The Story of Stuff”

This is the “Story of Stuff.” It’s about how our things get made.

It’s about how big companies take the natural resources of developing countries, strip them, toxify them, and churn out finished products to consumers like us.

It’s scary. Because what goes in, must come out.

The factories’ smoke polluted their air. The byproducts were dumped into their rivers. And we bought their products.

And so it goes; the cycle of fashion continues. We buy, they produce, and no one wins. We all lose. We lose precious resources, beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and our health.

Organic is not just a buzzword. It’s an important element in reclaiming our human rights — the rights that the big-wigs in the fashion industry have pilfered away so readily for a quick buck.

This is why we believe that organic is the only answer. Truly organic. We won’t have it any other way. {r}

Case Study II: How to Escape the 9 to 5

This month’s ‘Escaping the 9 to 5 Case Study‘ is about 27-year-old Ron Fortin, an aspiring entrepreneur in Antigua, Guatemala. Ron is currently the director of a school for impoverished children and in the meantime, has started Homeschool Spanish Academy, a website that provides interactive Spanish tutoring for middle school and high school students through video conferencing. Like so many of us, Ron is trying to find a way to ‘pay the bills’ without compromising his lifestyle. He has a great story and some really insightful advice.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. After high school, I spent four years in the United States Marine Corps and left for boot camp two weeks after 9/11. After my last duty station in Okinawa, Japan, I attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas in August 2005.

What happened after you graduated?

I graduated in May 2008 and was lucky to get a job straight out of college as an IT consultant. I was living in San Antonio, but flying to Dallas every week for work. I was riding around in limos, living in five-star hotels, and eating at fancy restaurants, but at the same time, I wasn’t fulfilled. I was learning a lot, and the people were great, but there wasn’t enough creativity, responsibility or risk. I also couldn’t get past the fact that I making more money for an already rich company.

What did you do to change your circumstances?

During this time, a good friend of mine, Brandon Brickley, was the current director of the Scheel Center in Guatemala. I knew he was coming home at the end of the year, and I thought to myself, “Man, when am I ever going to have the opportunity to visit Guatemala again?” So instead of flying back to San Antonio one weekend, I took three days to visit my buddy in Antigua, Guatemala.

My last day in Antigua, we were sitting in a coffee shop and he said to me, “Ron, I don’t know how to tell you this, but I feel like God’s telling me to tell you to quit your job and move down here to be the next director of the Scheel Center.”

“Wow!” I said, “I’m flattered you think so highly of me, but a lot of things would have to change for me to be able to make a move of that magnitude.”

To make a long story short, I went back to my life in Texas, and in the course of three and a half weeks, my entire life flipped upside down. Every excuse I had for not going back to Antigua simply evaporated. I didn’t even speak Spanish, yet I knew I was supposed to be there. Two weeks after I made the decision to move to Guatemala, I told my family, and they were incredibly supportive. A week later, I told my boss I wasn’t returning after the New Year, and a day later, I bought a one-way ticket to Guatemala. I arrived on December 27, 2009, and by January 3rd, 2010, I was the director of a school for impoverished kids.

Tell us about Homeschool Spanish Academy, the current venture you’ve started. How did you get to the point where you decided to just go for it?

As I mentioned, I didn’t know any Spanish. I knew I was going to be running a school in Spanish, so I thought it would be good to learn (at least a little bit) before I left the States. So, five weeks before my flight, I took Spanish classes three days a week via Skype, with a teacher Brandon recommended. When I arrived in Guatemala, I could understand enough to get by and be conversational. I thought to myself, “If I learned this much in five weeks online, imagine what you could learn in five months? In a year?” Then I started to think, “Man, I wish I had had this opportunity when I was in middle school and high school!”

So I came down with a plan to siphon off my savings. While evaluating my financial situation, I had to figure out a way to support myself in Guatemala for at least another year. It wasn’t the problem of having money in Guate; it was that I still had to pay bills in the States.

In my heart, I’ve always been somewhat of an entrepreneur. I have an entire folder of ideas with projections, descriptions, and plans, but Homeschool Spanish Academy was an idea that had all the right boxes checked. In other words, it passed the marketable test, competition test, scalable test, need test and bootstrap test. Most of all, it was based in the U.S. and could take care of my bills. It was when I hit the financial “point of no return” that I said, “I’ve always wanted to start my own company! Now’s the time! It’s now or never, do or die!”

Of course, I also consulted business savvy friends, who usually kill my ideas, and got them to say, “You know, this might actually work!”

Tell us a little bit about the process of starting your own business and what you’ve been doing pre-launch.

Research took a lot of time. You really have to beat up your own idea and get others to beat it up too. You have to ask everyone and their mother what they would like to see. What’s important? What’s a good price point? There’s SO much to do, and at the same time, you’re usually strapped for cash.

In the pre-launch phase, I drew up my business plan, selected my staff, trained them, and then ran them through a series of quality control simulations. Essentially, once I had a rough game plan in my head, we just had to hustle and execute.

What is the overall business model you’re using? Are you outsourcing? How many employees do you have? What tasks have you delegated?

My overall business model is to operate as cheaply as possible, and if I’m not the best at something, then I get somebody else to do it. There are lots of folks all over the world who are really knowledgeable and have the skills that I don’t. They also want to work hard, and with the U.S. exchange rate, I can usually pay them a manageable salary that they’re also happy with. Basically, I outsourced everything I sucked at or quite frankly, just didn’t want to deal with.

Everyone in my company is contracted, except me. I have two full-time Guatemalan employees and six part-time employees. HSA is a virtual company so I have people working for me in Pakistan and India (logo and brochure design) all the way to Indiana and Pennsylvania (accounting and sales).

For a lot of people, money is a big hinderance for not pursuing a potentially great idea. What do you have to say to them? How have you managed your day-to-day expenses?

I agree, money is a big hinderance! It always will be! It was an issue even when I was making a consultant’s salary! It all comes down to lifestyle choices — what do you want your story to be? Do you want it to be about the things you purchased throughout your life? Or the things you experienced and learned?

I have always been quite frugal and subsequently had a low five-figures worth of savings when I made my decision to move to Guate. Money always disappears a lot faster than you anticipate, so I had to find other means of supporting myself.

To supplement my income in Guatemala, I took advantage of my strengths while also staying true to my lifestyle goals. I play saxophone in a few restaurants on the weekends, and I teach Kali, a form of Filipino martial art, twice a week.

What are your goals for HSA?

Firstly, I’m not trying to be the next Google or Facebook. If it gets there, then great, but I also know companies like that are the exception and not the norm. I do want to be the biggest fish in my niche, however, with the best-quality product. One of my personal goals is to earn enough of a salary to stay in Guatemala for another year or two or three…

I want to have a successful launch and then grow modestly. After about a year, I’m hoping to see more exponential growth and gradually expand as far as we can take it. I’ll know I’ve hit my exit point when I’m not having fun anymore.

Lifestyle-wise, I would like to get HSA to the point where it’s fairly self-sufficient, and I can take three to six months off to travel, check in virtually, but still watch it run almost flawlessly.

What advice do you have for others who dream of escaping the 9 to 5?

1.) First, know yourself. It’s not necessarily for everyone. If you’re in a 9 to 5 job, however, and you’re feeling like you want to live now rather than later, then DO IT! Escape!

2.) Build a cushion. Before you make the leap, it’s a good idea to have some sort of financial cushion. Your destination will dictate how much you’ll need.

3.) Evaluate your strengths. Use them to your advantage and outsource your weaknesses. Know what you’re good at. See how you can play that up to earn money, meet more people, or change your lifestyle. What can you do better than anyone else?

4.) Have a plan, but also have an exit strategy.

5.) Go with the flow and be flexible! No matter how much you plan for things, it rarely goes accordingly.

6.) Readjust. When your plan goes astray (and it will), don’t freak out, and quit just because you’re scared. Take a deep breath, relax and evaluate the situation. You have options. Talk things over with an intelligent person who will challenge your assumptions; and then make a decision and act on it!

Homeschool Spanish Academy launched yesterday, Nov. 15. We’ve already told Ron how great our readers are about spreading the word, so if you can help him out, do your thing! {r}

What Is Fair Trade? Really.

The term “fair trade” is everywhere now, used to market everything from coffee to organic, cotton t-shirts. It sounds pretty self-explanatory: you pay a higher price for a product, and walk away with the reassurance that the producers, in some country poorer than yours, were paid a fair price. Sadly, it’s not that simple.

How It Started

Fair trade has become the “in” thing over the years, starting as a fad among church groups around the 1960’s. Missionaries started bringing back handicrafts from exotic places in an effort to support the artisans’ local economies.

What It Is

Today, fair trade is more formalized. In short, it protects producers in marginalized countries from unfair trading practices. No child labor. No sweat shops. A “living wage” for all workers. Ethical and humane working conditions. Transparent business transactions.

Businesses that buy fair trade are responsible for making sure their products are produced in an ethical way. Generally, those businesses will pay for part of the product upfront, so that their producers don’t have to borrow from local loan sharks at high interest rates.

There’s a laundry list of the things businesses do to make fair trade a great system. Giving back. Cultivating skills. Sharing knowledge.

But that doesn’t mean it’s all rosy.

Potential Problems with Trading Fairly

On a large scale, economists say that fair trade isn’t sustainable. Communities see that, for example, fair trade coffee brings in more money — so everyone in the community starts to produce coffee. Then the supply outweighs the demand, the price falls, and while fair trade producers will still receive more than market price, they ultimately lose. The only winner is the buyer. Again.

There are also critics who claim the majority of fair trade profits end up in the hands of the buyers. Let’s use coffee again. A cafe pays 50 cents more for a bag of fair trade coffee. Then they charge an extra 50 cents on each cup of fair trade coffee they sell. The farmers profit, but the cafe is really raking it in. The counter-argument? The cafe workers have to eat too!

And then there are the companies who claim to sell fair trade products when it’s simply not true.

What’s the Solution?

So as a consumer, what should you buy? Is it a gimmick? Or can companies be trusted to do business, do good, and do good business?

We know it’s possible. That’s our goal. There are some great, transparent, ethical businesses out there that emphasize people, planet, and product — and we hope to join them.

Here are some of the companies we love, for their great products and fair practices. As we move forward with our fair trade goals, we’re looking to these people for inspiration. It can be done. {r}

Mata Traders

Mata Traders makes fair trade clothes and accessories. Mata products are original designs handmade in India and Nepal by women’s cooperatives and artisan groups that practice fair trade principles.

Maggie’s Organics

Maggie’s Organics is America’s first “certified” fair trade clothing company. They even have a short documentary about the Nicaraguan cooperative they work with. Kudos to them for being pioneers!

Autonomie Project

The Autonomie Project is a fair trade fashion company offering sweatshop-free, organic, vegan and eco-friendly footwear, sneakers, clothing and accessories. They have some really cool stuff that we think is different from the typical ‘fair trade apparel’ look.

Annie O. Boutique

Annie O. imports fair trade accessories from Peru. She works closely with cooperatives there, and is planning on expanding her fair trade influence to Colombia, too.

Case Study: How to Escape the 9 to 5

As promised in our last post, this is the first in a series of case studies highlighting other 20-somethings who have escaped the 9-5 corporate culture and are pursuing their career and lifestyle goals.

Emily Belyea is my best friend from high school and has recently written off the ‘real world’ to pursue her own location-independent web design company. If you’re wondering if it’s really possible to break free, then read on.

{r}: Tell me about your first post-grad year. What did you do after you graduated? Did you have a plan? How did things pan out?

E: When I graduated in May 2008, I continued as a Marketing Assistant for a guitar company in Boston that I was already interning for. It was only a temporary position, but I told myself it would be permanent. I figured if I thought it was a perfect match, then so would they. At the end of the day, they didn’t have it in their budget to hire me full time and let me go.

With three weeks notice, I eagerly applied for positions in advertising, getting the same answer every time; “Sorry, we’re on a hiring freeze.” Aside from my frustration, I didn’t sense the natural adrenaline in myself that I normally get when applying for jobs, so I knew something wasn’t right.

My friend Shannon had been in Australia for about three weeks by the time I had left my job. Our emails back and forth were “I miss you.” “I’m having a blast!” “I’m miserable at home.” “I love everything about my life!” “I can’t find a job.” “I get paid $17 an hour to bartend!” The decision was right there in front of me. I had no job, no lease, no car and no boyfriend, so I booked a one way flight to Sydney.

{r}: Were you worried about missing out on climbing the corporate ladder and doing what everyone else said you ‘should’ do?

E: After I booked my flight to Sydney, an overwhelming peacefulness came over me. The irony was that while I was booking my flight, I was sitting in a hospital bed next to my mother, just a few hours before she went into quadruple bypass surgery.

I wasn’t worried about missing out on corporate culture because I was already starting to think it was a load of crap from my experience in interviewing-for-jobs-that-didn’t-exist. I wasn’t worried about finances, because I’m always worried about finances, so it was no different from any other day. My future plans to return home scared me a bit, because I was already thinking about what I was going to do with my life when I returned home from traveling.

{r}: Did you have any student loans? How did you pay them and other expenses while you were living in Australia for a year? What do you do for health benefits?

E: From the day I decided to go traveling, I had about three months to save money. I waitressed and worked as a spa receptionist, day and night, all the time, to save the money. Knowing that I could work in Australia meant that I could help supplement my living expenses once I got there, but Shannon and I were planning a big trip to New Zealand and Fiji, so I wouldn’t have an income for a month. I had to plan living and traveling expenses, student loans for a year, and a little extra money for padding.

I always make my student loans my first priority. Since I have to pay $160 a month, I stuck the first $2,000 I made in a savings account and set up an automatic monthly payment for the next 12 months. Once that was done, I could start saving for my trip. My goal was $3,000 and I ended up saving about $2,700 total.

{r}: What was your life like when you returned from Australia? What plans did you make?

E: I returned home in December of 2009 and was able to get my receptionist job back at the spa. My boyfriend, who I met in Australia, lives in England, and we were trying to figure out how to continue our relationship, while re-aggregating ourselves into the “real world.” I saved up enough money to visit him a few months later, and while I was there I scored an marketing internship in Central London. I was so excited that there was finally a solution to us being together again. Then I learned that I couldn’t accept it because Americans aren’t allowed to do any work, paid or unpaid, in the UK without a visa or work sponsorship. As the efficient ways of the corporate world go, they kind of apologized profusely as they shut their door in my face.

{r}: How did you turn such a huge disappointment into something positive? What plans did you make to allow yourself to still go to England?

E: From my understanding of the UK visa process, I realized that I couldn’t work there unless I found an employer who thought I was better at the job than any other person residing in the UK. This, similar to the interviewing-for-jobs-that-didn’t-exist experience, served as a turning point.

In Australia, Shannon and I always talked about how there must be a way to dodge the 9 to 5, and to travel and be happy all the time. I’ve always had a love for design, and I’m inherently creative but had no useful skills to apply. Additionally, I had some experience with HTML code from an internship in college and knew that if I had enough practice, I too, could learn to design websites. I decided to hire a web tutor for 10 weeks for $300 and save up three months of living expenses to move to London. I could be with my boyfriend and devote time to setting up my own web design company.

{r}: How are you funding your lifestyle in London if you don’t have an income?

E: Since I can’t work to supplement my living expenses, I have to live very simply and cost effectively. I set aside $450 for my loans and an additional $3,500 for living and spending. I share the rent with my boyfriend in a neighborhood just outside of Central London ($100 p/week), grocery shop and cook ($40 p/week), use a pay as you go phone ($25 p/month), take public transport ($40 p/week), go to libraries instead of cafes to work (free), and then beer, coffee, curries ($50 p/week max). Additionally, I write articles for an online travel company, and that gives me an extra $100 p/month.

{r}: Tell us a little bit about your web design company, Emily Belyea Creative.

E: It’s a bit of a lifestyle and website design combination. I want to build sites for people who are trying to do the same thing we are. It’s great there are sites that provide free access to building a blog, but the free options don’t always do what you need them to do. When trying to build a brand and an online presence, you need to be able to put your logo where you want it, put photos where you want them, and use a color scheme that enlivens your brand. While most entrepreneurs and bloggers can’t afford the outrageous prices of design firms, I want to be a reasonably priced, creative option for them. We’re all in the same boat here, so why not help each other out?

{r}: What are your plans for returning to the States after your three months expire?

E: My plan for when I leave England is to dodge the Boston winter and continue to work towards my professional goals with Emily Belyea Creative. I’m going to need to work a waitressing or bartending job for a while until I can do this full time, but I’m excited about working towards that point. The nice thing is that I’m location independent, so I can live anywhere with Wi-Fi.

{r}: What are your hopes for your new business and what advice do you have for other aspiring small business entrepreneurs?

E: For right now, I just want to get my get my name out there. I want bloggers, entrepreneurs, and anyone who’s trying to create an online portfolio to know that there are options besides using a free template and hiring a big design company.

Now that the hovering “real world” job is out of my future completely, I can see things a lot more clearly. My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to just do it. Sitting on decisions until you’re absolutely positive it will work out, is just a waste of time. You’ll breathe easy knowing that you’re already on your way, and you’ll be surprised at how things work themselves out.

{r}: And finally, how do you overcome the fear of following the normal path that society has laid out and instead, following a path of your own? What can you say to people who are in the 9-5 and desperately want to get out?

E: I’d say do it, and bring a friend. It’s a lot easier to follow your own path when you have a group of supporters cheering you on, and it’s a lot more fun when you have people walking beside you. If you don’t find support from within your own community, don’t let it discourage you, because people won’t always understand and that’s just how it is. Instead, find the people out there that believe in this path and keep motivating yourself through their blogs and their projects. Since you’re here reading All Of Us, you’re already on your way :)

Emily launched Emily Belyea Creative on October 18th. To visit her website, go to www.emilybelyea.com You can also follow her on Twitter at @belyeadesignco {r}

How We “Do It”: Escaping the 9 to 5

We recently received an insightful comment from a reader asking how we’re able to fund our unique lifestyles while also financing a business. She assumed that both Kristin and I come from very comfortable backgrounds and have our day-to-day bills taken care of. She also questioned if it was realistic for us to encourage other 20-somethings to ‘join the revolution’ and quit the 9 to 5 when she felt that only a select few, in privileged situations like ours, could afford to do that.

We really couldn’t fault her for her assumptions. This lifestyle does seem pretty unattainable if you consider the “typical path” society has laid out for us. This post is longer than usual, but it’s an attempt to explain the nitty-gritty for those of you wondering if we’re stashing trust funds.

How Shannon “Does It”

The Fall before my May 2008 graduation, I was meeting with a tutor several times a week to prepare for the LSAT. Then, less than two weeks prior to the exam, after I flushed almost a 1,000 dollars of my own money down the toilet, I told my tutor I quit. I never took the test, and instead, I bought a one-way ticket to Australia for the following September.

After I graduated, I moved home to Boston to save money for my big move. I waitressed at a popular bar in the city and by the end of the summer had saved up roughly $7,000.

The key to being able to travel for the past two years is that I don’t just “go traveling.” I’ve worked in every place I’ve been (except Southeast Asia). I’ve used my bartending wages to sustain my cost of living while using my savings to pay for flights and travel. Based on a $17-25 (Australian) wage with no tips, I could afford to live in a flat across from the beach and pay for all other expenses (food, nights out, touristy things).

I lived this way for six months in Australia, and in between, took vacations to New Zealand and Fiji. With the rest of my savings (and frequent flier miles), I spent two months backpacking and volunteering in Viet Nam, Cambodia and Thailand where the cost of living is virtually nothing.

I returned home to Boston in May with whole-hearted intentions of getting a “real job.” Instead, I (again) bartended in Boston for the summer and moved to South Africa in the beginning of October. So for four months, I didn’t have any rent or expenses, but I basically became a hermit. I didn’t go out, I shopped consignment, and I just focused on saving (my friends can attest). By the time I left, I had another $15,000 saved up ($5,000 came from selling my car) and found a share-house in Cape Town for about $250 a month. I also bartended three nights a week.

I’ve been very fortunate that my parents were willing to shelter and feed me for four months out of the year (three separate times) — I know there are others who don’t have that option. I’m also lucky to not have any student loans, and I’m covered under my parent’s health insurance until September 2011. Having said that, I was financially cut off the moment I graduated with a degree, so my day-to-day bills aren’t paid for by anyone but me.

When I returned from South Africa in June I came home with a $7,000 cushion. From there, I went back into my old routine, found a bartending job and started saving. I set a realistic goal for myself in the beginning of July — $12,000 saved, including the $7,000 cushion — and as of my last shift in the beginning of October, I exceeded my goal by $410.

Believe me, my summers aren’t fun, but changing my lifestyle for four months out of the year has allowed me to do some pretty awesome things for the rest of the time. It comes down to having different priorities: I’ve given up owning a car, buying a new wardrobe each season, and I don’t get sucked into having the latest trendy gadgets (my cell is a Samsung flip phone, one of the first models, I think). I’m able to live this lifestyle because I’ve chosen to value traveling and life experiences, and not material things.

How Kristin “Does It”

Before I delve into the hardships of living this “lifestyle,” let me first talk about the obvious privileges I enjoy.

I didn’t pay for college. I had a sizable scholarship, and my grandparents and parents paid for the rest. Because of this, I was able to save about $4,000 working throughout college.

My parents gave me a car (a 1996 model) to use during high school and college. After graduation, I sold it and kept the money. Not many parents let their kids do that.

I am incredibly lucky in many ways, the least of which is the money my parents have shelled out for me to have a great education and a comfortable lifestyle. Their constant support of my strange travels and crazy ideas, plus their confidence that I will always make it “work,” is the greatest privilege of all.

But it hasn’t always been easy. I change jobs a lot. I move a lot. I am lonely sometimes. There are high highs and low lows. I once joked with my roommate about scraping excess ranch dressing back into the bottle, because we were so poor.

I’ve worked some awful jobs and some great jobs. Like a bar in West Philly, where a guy got knifed while I was working there. Or another bar in Australia, where I was paid $44 per hour on holidays. This past year, I sat in an empty bar in New Orleans, making no money, on Mardi Gras day (which happened to be my 24th birthday). I missed all the celebrations I love this year, standing behind the bar dealing with drunks. But now, I’m sitting in a hotel overlooking Guatemala’s most beautiful lake.

After working for a year in Australia (and getting about $5,000 back in taxes), plus working for eight months in New Orleans with cheap rent, I’ve saved about $12,000. I have rarely made over $500 per week. But I’m also the queen of frugality, and I have shifted my priorities (from car to bicycle, for example) so that I can save money for my big dreams.

Even without the money Shannon and I have saved, we think that starting a business is a viable option for anyone with determination. Money is an excuse, and so is time. Plenty of people with full-time jobs start businesses, for less than $1000. It’s all a matter of finding a business opportunity that’s right for your lifestyle and means.

We will “admit” to being privileged (of course most of us living in America with internet access are) but we will also say this: revolutionizing your life is something anyone can do, with the right ingredients — none of which are money.

If you’re still not convinced, we’re going to post a series of case studies within the coming months. We’ll highlight individual 20-somethings (some with student loans and debt) that have broken out of the 9 to 5 to follow an unconventional path towards fulfilling their dreams.

For anyone who wants to talk more about changing your lifestyle, please don’t hesitate to comment or e-mail us directly at shannon@allofusrevolution.com and kristin@allofusrevolution.com. We know we can figure out a way for you to break free. {r}

Learn to Think Like an Entrepreneur

I love TED Talks. Forget TV, give me the internet and 20 minutes, and I’m happy.

If you haven’t heard about TED, here’s an excerpt from their site:

“TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference, bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader.”

TED hosts annual conferences and supports independently-organized conferences, as well.

Their video site, TED Talks, has dozens of short clips, ranging from how companies market spaghetti sauce to how Chinese volunteers translate English websites.

Turns out that I just can’t get enough. I’ve been keeping track of the videos that strike a chord with entrepreneurship, so I can pass them along.

Some are just a few minutes (others longer) but none over 20 minutes.

Derek Silvers: How to Start a Movement

Cameron Herold: Let’s Raise Kids to be Entrepreneurs

Adora Svitak: Embrace the Irrational and Childish

Chip Conley: Do What Makes You Happy

Alexis Ohanian: How to Make a Splash in Social Media

Seth Godin: Standing Out

Rory Sutherland: Life Lessons From an Ad Man

Ray Anderson: The Business Logic of Sustainability

Richard St. John: 8 Secrets of Success

If you have any other favorites, I’m always looking for constructive ways to procrastinate… {r}

“Hola” from Guatemala!

{If you’re new to the site, welcome. This is the home of Kristin & Shannon, two girls in the process of starting a fair-trade business, importing apparel from Central America to North America. Learn more about our mission here.}

This week, I left for Guatemala, while Shannon took a mini-vacation to London for her 25th birthday. It’s been a busy week! I’m navigating a new country and learning a new language, while Shannon is doing some research on fair trade fashion while in the UK (fair trade products are far more popular there than in the States).

I’d been reading up a little on manufacturing and textiles before I arrived here, but the first, and most important hurdle, is simply learning the language. Turns out, it’s not so simple.

Spanish isn’t completely new to me, but the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.

I am in my third day of classes at La Union, a Spanish language school in Antigua, Guatemala. For 145 dollars per week, I receive 20 hours of one-on-one tutoring, as well as room and board with a family.

My teacher, Rosa, doesn’t speak English, and neither does my host family. The only time I speak English is when I can sneak in a few words with Jim, a student from Australia who also lives with my host family.

It’s lonely. And trying. But it’s also an incredible feeling; I am surrounded by people who don’t know me at all, but want to help me succeed.

For now, here are some photos from my first few days in Guatemala. I’ll be posting more about my teacher, host family, and Antigua later this week! {r}

Scenes of Antigua, an old colonial city surrounded by volcanoes.

Candle-making and textile weaving are two big traditions here. I was lucky enough to see hundreds of candles and a few candlemakers at an old convent on my first day in Antigua.

Textiles from the Nim Pot Market.

Trinkets, figurines, and earrings at the Nim Pot Market in Antigua.

“Flores” in Antigua.

My new hangout: Cafe Y Tu Pina Tambien, near La Escuela Union.

How I Overcome the Fear Factor

One of the great things about blogging is the ability to interact with your readers. Unlike books or more traditional forms of publishing, blogs provide an opportunity for conversations within a like-minded community. This post is in response to a comment we got from one of our readers, asking about our self-funded trips and how we overcome the obstacles and rise to the occasion.

I get the question a lot. How do you do that?

I’m really never satisfied with the answer I give, and it’s usually, “Uh, I dunno. I just do it.” But recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes me different from the people who say, “I could never do that.” And it comes down to knowing.

I have somehow developed something inside of me that knows everything will work out. I can attribute it to books I’ve read or never having an experience that didn’t work out in the end, but I don’t let myself doubt or dwell.

I have a million examples, like the time I flew to Cambodia by myself and my hotel driver forgot to pick me up. The domestic airport was shutting down for the night, and I was the only one left there with the non-English speaking gardener — no phone, no money, no idea where I was. Or the time I worked a week’s-worth of bar shifts in South Africa only for them to tell me I couldn’t get paid (or work there anymore) because I didn’t have a South African bank account.

And yet, somehow, everything worked out. The weird thing is, it usually works out for the better. I won’t say that I handle every obstacle gracefully (you can bet I was crying in the Cambodian airport), but when you weigh out the worst-case scenario and unlikelihood of it happening, then it’s easier to overcome the doubts.

I’m a big advocate of just ‘taking the plunge.’ And believe me, I’m not an adrenaline junkie or even a big risk taker. My version of taking the plunge is choosing not to think about the negative possibilities, closing my eyes, and booking the ticket. When I bought my flight to go to Vietnam by myself I chose to delve into research and planning and all the great things I could do there. Not to say I was careless or naive about visiting a Communist country as a single female, but I would never let doubts affect the opportunity of a lifetime.

I may seem like I’ve got it all together, but this is all coming from a girl who was a grade-A worry-wart growing up. I lacked any semblance of independence, hell, I couldn’t even put my own hair in a ponytail until I was in seventh grade. And although I grew out of all that, I’m not immune to the fear that washes over me when I’m about to board the plane or the butterflies I get when thinking about the choices I’ve made.

I’m not going to sit here and tell you to do something everyday that scares you. Sometimes you just need those easy days. But, don’t let fear be a reason for not doing something. Obstacles force you to grow, and you’ll miss a lot of amazing experiences if you let fear win. {r}

Win a Chance to Change Your Life: The Art of Non-Conformity Project

You’re probably reading this blog for one or all of the following reasons:
a) you know one of us
b) you’re interested in our story
c) you’re interested in taking control of your own life

If option c) relates to you in any way, there’s something you should know.

“The Art of Non-Conformity” by Chris Guillebeau came out yesterday. (Note: This is not a paid plug. We just love the guy.)

Chris writes about setting your own rules, living the life you want, and changing the world, on his blog — and now you can read 227 pages of similar, thought-provoking advice.

I read Chris’ manifesto, “A Brief Guide to World Domination: How to Live a Remarkable Life in a Conventional World” a year ago. I didn’t take immediate action, but much of my decision to join this business venture was based on inspiration and hope I gained from Chris‘ words.

If you’ve found yourself unhappy with the status quo, or wishing your life weren’t so darn “average,” then check it out. You can read my Amazon review here and buy the book here. It should also be noted that 100 percent of the author proceeds from the people he meets on his book tour go to Chris’ charity project in Ethiopia.

We won our own free copy from Chris (we’re avid readers of his blog, too) and we’d like to spread the love.

We’ll mail our copy of the book to the first person who responds via comment — the only stipulation being that you must pass the book onto someone else when you’re done. We’ll glue our business card inside, and try to track the book, its readers, and their stories.

Just comment, and tell us why you’re interested! {r}

How it all started: The Facebook Message

Today we’re sharing some details about the very beginning of All of Us — the brief Facebook message that started it all, and the early stages of business planning.

Sometimes all it takes is one thought.

I had just recently returned from living in South Africa and the unbearable pressure of getting a ‘real job’ was looming over me. Kristin had returned to the U.S. a few months earlier after almost a year and half of traveling. After two years, we were both living in the same country — discontent and directionless.

A few days after I got back, she sent me a message, “would love to hear about your plans for the coming year. i am really uncertain about what i’m doing with my life. having a crisis, you could say.”

Convenient for me, since I was also having a ‘mid-twenties life crisis.’ All it took was a phone call and we started to brainstorm what we could do next: backpack South America, move to Valparaiso, Chile, start a nonprofit. We hung up the phone, assuring each other we would do some research and figure it out together.

The next day I sent Kris a message with one line: “How can we get into the import/export business?”

I was mostly joking. We hadn’t even discussed going into business with each other, but Kristin took it and ran with it, sending me links to other import businesses around the world. The more we talked about it the more excited we got.

Find a niche that nurtures your passion.
Saying you’re going to start an import business is like saying you have a job in finance. It’s a hugely broad industry that can range from jewelry to coffee, India to Uruguay. We knew we wanted to import from Latin America — neither of us had been before, we wanted to learn Spanish, and it’s geographically convenient for trading in the U.S.

The truth is that finding your passion lies in the little things. For some, importing may not sound glamorous or fun, but in the process, we get to photograph, write, design, travel, learn a language, and most importantly, be involved in a social project that helps others. Once you’re able to narrow down your area of opportunity, you can find a way to incorporate the things you love to do.

Turning a thought into a reality.
Since most aspiring entrepreneurs are more creative-minded and less concerned with logistics, the idea of sitting down to write a 50-page business plan is akin to pulling your eyelashes out one by one.

A Babson College study sited on the Young Entrepreneur website revealed, “there was no difference between the performance of new businesses launched with or without written business plans.” Having said that, and while going through the beginning stages of the process ourselves, we don’t recommend not having a plan at all.

The benefits of writing up a plan are two-fold: it makes you think of answers to important questions you may not have otherwise, and it outlines your ideas and vision in a concise way. It is the actual act of writing the plan that is most beneficial. We started out by googling “how to write a business plan” and from there, found a prototype of an import/export business to use as a guideline. Believe me, it’s not rocket science.

Remember that a business plan is never a finished product — you should constantly be tweaking and adding to it, depending on how your business is changing. There’s nothing wrong with opting for a simple one-pager. It comes down to whatever is right for your company. In most cases though, even the most basic biz plan should have the following: Vision, Mission, Objectives, Strategies, Action Plans.

While you’re turning your big idea into reality, we’ll be here to listen and advise. We’d love for you to e-mail us or leave a comment with your questions, and we’ll be sure to get back to you. Everyone else, please add to our suggestions if you can offer any additional help in early business planning! {r}

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

{the blog}

Tagged: be inspired