Not Easily Discouraged

This morning I met with the owner of a very prominent and well-respected company in my hometown. Her products seemed to line every storefront I passed by and locals sported her apparel with spirited pride.

I showed up at 10:30 am on the dot and was greeted by a gracious employee of hers. I waited in a makeshift boardroom for a few minutes before she entered. She was kind and quietly took the seat opposite me.

Conscious of her time, I cracked open my laptop and read off the questions I'd prepared well in advance. I wanted some advice on how to start my own project and whether or not she thought it had the legs to be a company, or if it was just a passion project. "I'm going to do it either way," I beamed. "But if it's a side project, others priorities will have to come first." She nodded.

She answered each question succinctly and without pulling any punches. "First you have to get clear on what exactly your site does," she said. I agreed. The truth is, I'd given it a great deal of thought, too much in fact, and had lost sight of my original mission: to create community through positive stories.

By the end of our conversation I also appreciated the complicated nuances and vast challenges she faced on a day-to-day basis. Everyone seemed to have an image of her brand, but it was clear there was much more challenges happening behind the scenes. She explained some frustrations about how the city was changing and doubts about the value of her work. I tried to assure her that what she and her company did for the city were both exceptional and important. She smiled.

As I left and listed all the reasons why she thought my new venture might not be suitable for a business, I left far less discouraged than I would have had I not been an actor for many years. Being an actor had taught me the crucial attribute of resilience and taking things in stride. I possessed a versatility in my thinking that most people didn't possess and it was largely due to my background in the arts. I'd also learned to be relentlessly optimistic, but also not delusional - also a very important quality to seek and balance to strike.

As I gathered my belongings and headed for the door she said, "I admire your passion." I smiled. It's the only way I know how to be, I thought.