There’s No Such Thing As Failure
Isn’t it interesting to look back on all the ways we reinvent ourselves throughout our lives?!
I’ve always reinvented myself through fashion. First in dressing up in mom’s closet, then through my work in the corporate fashion world, after that I moved onto styling and finally into designing. I somehow always leave out the part where I opened a retail store…
Why would I do that, you ask? Here’s why…
We talk about our successes a lot. That’s easy! But how about our failures? If you’re anything like me, those are a bit more difficult to discuss.
Until now that is, because I’m finally able to really appreciate the “failures”. After all, it’s the things we take risks on, where we step out of our comfort zone, whether they succeed or not, that force us to grow. These are the things that push us and teach us the lessons, and make us more ready for our next ventures by building the muscle that is needed to hold the vision.
So now I’m proud of my “failure” story, and I’m sharing the lessons with you.
Here we go….
In 2015 I opened a store. I didn’t know it then, but I was far from ready to hold the commitment of what goes into this.
It was a Brazilian brand that I loved called Track and Field. It all started back in 2012 when I was a customer of their store on Madison Avenue. It was a time when really the only activewear on the market was Lululemon, and everyone was wearing it! As someone who likes the option of not wearing the same workout outfit as everyone else, I found myself in a conundrum. And then I excitedly saw the opportunity! I thought about designing and creating my own workout line. And at the same time, I’d often visit the Track and Field store on Madison Ave in NY. It was the only other activewear store I knew of and liked at the time. I’d buy their styles and wear them back in LA. Everyone would ask where I got them and order from the NY store. And then I had the thought, why is this store not in LA?! So I ended up reaching out and learned they were based in Brazil. With much courage, I contacted the Brazilian headquarters, spoke with one of the owners and learned they were like the Lululemon of Brazil, with around 150 standing stores in their country. A few weeks later, with much excitement, I flew to Brazil to meet and discuss a possible Los Angeles store.
It was an instant connection with the brand owners and we all became fast friends. I flew back and forth several times to get to know them and the brand and they flew to LA so we could look for retail spaces that would work for the first Los Angeles location. We knew we wanted to be in business together and we were going to make it happen.
While It was a really empowering and insightful time, I also noticed there were differences in opinion on location, on merchandise, on design as well as how two very different countries work. That said, there were also many similarities that felt more than right.
Three years later, a bit longer than I had hoped for, we opened our doors in Brentwood, and about six months later, if even that, we closed them.
It was very short-lived for many reasons that I didn’t want to see then, but looking back with transparency, it’s all very clear now…I wasn’t ready.
On the flip side, I learned so much and that knowledge is immeasurable, which I am truly grateful for.
What I learned…
1- There’s no room for vagueness. Lack of clarity in any form leads to confusion and misunderstanding.
2- Trust that what doesn’t feel right to you or makes you uneasy is showing you something you need to let yourself see. Dig deeper and don’t try to unsee what you see, it won’t go away.
3- Communicate! Ask every single question, even if it’s difficult. You’ll be glad in the long run.
4- Get everything in writing, contracts, emails etc. There is too much room for error without it, even if you really trust the people you’re working with.
5- Don’t worry about insulting people by asking for clarity or contracts. You are actually protecting yourself and probably teaching them as well.
5- Sit in the uncomfortableness before making any decisions and have patience. Things take time to grow.
6- Trust in the timing and don’t force what’s not flowing.
7- If you don’t take the risk, you’ll never know.
8- Know what you’re capable of in the moment, because starting a business is a huge undertaking. Make sure you have the bandwidth for what will be required from you.
8. There is no such thing as failure because you will learn what you need to know for future endeavors!
9. If you have any idea and it excites you, move with it! Others are getting the idea at the same time and if you don’t, they will!
I’m truly grateful to the company that gave me this opportunity and I’m grateful that I get to take each of these lessons into my ventures today. If I were to do it again today, I’d do it so differently.
And who knows…maybe I will 😉
With love,
Staci x
