Usually, I prefer to go through a difficult situation and learn the lesson from that experience. Then, I like to share it here on MML in the form of business advice, inspiration, and so forth. But today I’m making an exception.
As you are (very) well aware by now, Jess LC will look pretty different come next Tuesday. I have devoted six months to this project and invested personal savings to help get the re-branding off the ground. During the entire journey, I knew deep in my bones that these changes needed to be made. So excited by the new vision, I almost immediately separated myself from the “old” Jess LC (mossy green color, vintage logo, handmade website, PayPal shopping cart, even the font!). In came the new company color (coral), modern logo, professionally made website, integrated shopping cart, and cool new text. I loved every minute of it.
There were some potholes along the road, which I will share once the lessons have been learned. But by continuing to persevere during the rough patches, I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel this March. How incredibly exciting, right?
Well, this week I’ve started to have some doubts pop up in my mind. Some had tiny voices and I quickly dismissed them, while other thoughts whispered more convincingly. The worries that surfaced asked me, “What if people like the old look better than the new look?” “What if people don’t like the new jewelry as much as the old jewelry?” “What if people can’t really see the differences between the old look and the new look… or worse, what if they just don’t care?”
The truth of the matter is, that these worries, though largely just figments of my imagination, might actually be true for some people. Odds are good that there will be a part of the population that doesn’t prefer the new look, new jewelry, or might not care about the changes. It’s inevitable. I’m just hoping that the majority of people do appreciate the evolution I’ve made and my business grows.
Now, just four days away from the debut, those worries have seemed to quiet down. Maybe they’re taking a nap, only to rear their ugly heads closer to Tuesday. But in their place has come a sense of excitement, adrenaline, and impatience. I feel like I’m about to run a marathon. The training has been done, the course has been set, now I just need to run and give it my best shot.
So thanks for sticking with me during this process, I feel like I have my own special cheering section along the racecourse come March, 30th.
I’m so happy for you. You’re right, there will be people who aren’t 100 percent on board, but that’s a sign of success. You’re reaching a wide base of people, and we’re not one homogeneous group.
Congratulations! I can’t wait to see behind the curtain.
Well I personally feel nearly invested in the project just from following your tweets throughout the trials & tribulations! Can’t wait to see the debut!
I have been getting your preview emails– and let me say, I am so excited for your launch! Everything looks so lovely!
In reading your post, I am reminded of Elizabeth Gilbert’s TED speech in which she talks about separating a creative creation from her ego. So, know that you did all you could, “showed up” for the job, and the rest is out of your hands. BUT, having seen the preview logo and jewelry, I can confidently say that I LOVE the new look of both!!! And I’m sure many others will too!
Jess, besides the fact that it WILL be fabulous – I know it will/IS, it’s great that you have followed your heart! Your passion will shine through your brand and products!
“The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”
~Sylvia Plath~
Don’t doubt yourself and don’t ever, and I mean EVER, fashion yourself or anything you create after what other people think you should be or do…those are my rules anyway. Best of luck. Can’t wait to see the new look 🙂
It will be great!!!! I can’t wait to see it!
Jess, I’m definitely in the group that fully supports and LOVES the new look and jewelry! It’s fun, fresh, as well as sophisticated. I can tell that the look Jess LC is really starting to reflect your personality and personal style.
And in response to your anxiety and fears, I think that’s to be expected since you have so much invested (mentally and financially) in the rebranding. And more importantly, it shows that you care about the direction of Jess LC and your customers.
Keep it up and I’ll be cheering for you on the 30th!
So I just went to JessLC so that I could see it, one last time, before the change. I made sure to really notice the colors, logo, fonts – so that when the change happens I’ll be able to comment – it will be noticed! Enjoy the mix of nervousness and exhilaration – I feel so alive when multiple emotions are mixing! Exciting times ahead – cheers to you!
Can’t wait to see it! I’m sure it will be amazing and as long as it captures your spirit and where you are going, the right clients will be drawn to you and your work.
I know exactly how you feel with all of this, Jess, and where those fears are coming from–but I also know this: when you put something authentic out into the world people receive it with open arms. When you are passionate about what you do, it shows, and people really connect with that. You are so very obviously passionate about Jess LC and your work is truly authentic–that shines through now and I’m sure will also shine through in this rebranding. Bravo and congrats!
Preferring to be surprised, I have not seen the previews. Looking forward to the big reveal on Tuesday!
Have you heard about the book Taming Your Gremlin by Richard David Carson? Your recent doubts are a classic example of your gremlin at work. But you are a step ahead of the masses because you recognized the value of your gremlin’s message — essentially that not everyone will like or care about the changes but nor should they (and “they” don’t matter). And what a great lesson for the rest of us who might be hesitant to pursue our dreams and passions by our own fears, often perpetuated by our gremlins. After all, maintaining the status quo is the gremlin’s job — it’s our job not to get hung up on the basic gremlin message but rather to look beyond the fear and cease the lesson . . . and GROW.
Congratulations!!!
It’s natural to worry. And it’s possible that there will be people who will not embrace your changes. BUT! The new Jess LC is obviously a reflection of who YOU are today. So, there will be new people who will respond to your work with the same passion in which you created it. When you exfoliate, you get new growth, right?! Change is good.
I always have a hard time sleeping once the decisions are made and it’s just time to wait for reactions.
But it’s going to be wonderful!