Never Give Up

As the time nears for this new collection to release I'm growing more and more nervous. I can't express how nervous I am, all I know is that I want this more than anything.
Last night at Bible study I heard God speak. I was worried that this won't come to pass and I expressed to him my grief about it. However he redirected my attention to the times I've taken faith action even though I'm having doubts. God reassured me that I'd get what I wanted even if it is not by my birthday (March 9). He told me how to expand my brand in more ways than I ever thought possible.
Because I love my followers I'm going to let you know some things I've been considering. I'm going to do a YouTube eventually. I'm going to script every episode because I'm also a writer. I used to love writing plays but now because of the absence of a computer of my own I type plays in the library, the local computer lab, or even my cell phone on Google docs. I even know what I'm going to do on every episode, and where I will craft these shows. In other news I'm still building my website, I'm still building my app, and I'm making my collection and posting it little by little. I'm doing everything I can to make my brand a good one.
Even in the midst of my doubt actions speak louder than words. My faith action is the sign that I still have hope. So I believe that what I want will come because I'm a woman who sets goals. Let me explain. When you write something down it is merely a vision, but when you pin a date to it it becomes a goal. When you actually carry out that goal it becomes an accomplishment. Even though right now my resources look bleak, and everything looks like it won't work out in my favor. The actions I take based on the little bit of faith I do have now can change the outcome.
I would love for this collection to be everything from jewelry to clothes, however I can accept that it may just be a jewelry collection, a small party, and if I want to I can probably make me and my daughter matching outfits. If people like it they can order it at the party and I'd have to take them based on custom orders and create patterns based on their specific measurements. I like the idea of decorating my space with streamers and a huge poster of my inspiration. It's rather simple but it's doable. My books in Project Management should help me organize this event. I am in fact PM Certified and I can easily research ways to apply project management to what I would like to do. I don't claim to know anything better than anyone, and I accept that I'm still learning how to truly apply myself.
In 2017 if nothing else goes my way I will get fulfillment just from the fact that I use my gifts. Nobody has ever used my plays but they have read them and enjoyed them. So I know I have a gift to entertain and bring knowledge concerning a skill. So I hope my first YouTube video will be a success, hopefully by the year 2017 I'll be able to release it by the summer. I'm spacing out time as much as I can because goals should be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely)
In case you need a breakdown here it goes:

Specific- Write down exactly what you want. Make sure to add the details, it's okay to say what you want, even if it seems too big.

Measurable: Is it meaningful and motivational? In other words is what you doing for a specific purpose.

Attainable: Sometimes you have to ask yourself if a goal can be reached. You can't be an astronaut without the knowledge of how to be an astronaut. Or in my case I didn't go to veterinary school so I can't do surgery on a dog who ate someone's homework.

Realistic: Ask yourself if this is something that can be done and if it has been done by others. What you may want may seem extreme to people but doable nonetheless.

Timely: How much time will it take for this to be done. 1 week? 1 year? If you are going to get your Associates degree that takes at least 2 years. So put down 2 years.

Sometimes the fact that you have faith action proves your belief more than anything. I understand that some people are heavily into vision boards, business plans, and New year's resolutions, but you can't do any of that unless you get focused and disciplined. Ask yourself a few questions. If you want to lose weight are you going to research diets, eat healthier, and get a gym membership that you'll commit to using? Or are you just going to order a work out program on DVD and work out from home? There is nothing wrong with either approach as long as it's doable for you.

So right now making a collection of jewelry is doable for me. Having a small party at my house is doable for me as well. Adding articles of clothing to my collection later on is more realistic to me, and works for me. I have no interest in competition just in getting my name out there, doing what I love and making a living. The reason I'd dress my daughter similarly to me in an outfit I created will make a statement about how I feel concerning the future of my business.
I don't know if my launch party will be everything I imagine but I can make decisions today that will make it everything I want. My creativity has gotten me over in so many cases that I'm honestly not concerned about how the decorations will look. And considering the fact that I'll be live streaming I'll have people there who aren't there requesting orders once I launch my website. I do want it to be a good turn out of people in person though. So I better start working on invitations now and where I want to have the party.
All the ideas I have are becoming real little by little. I'm content with that. As long as they do become real and my goals are accomplished that seems to be all that matters.
My visions being written down as the Bible says (Habakkuk 2:2), and speaking over my vision is what will work. Almost every time I will come out on top if I keep the faith and my actions are towards what I believe in. If you really want the old to pass away and the new to come you have to do something different. Something worth doing which is why I added SMART goals to this post. I don't only intend for my followers to just read about fashion. I intend for them to see the journey, and go on their own. I don't want to just be in the industry, I want to be an inspiration and a voice for those taking similar journeys or very different journeys.
I hope that reading my blog is inspiring to my readers. Although I don't seem to talk about latest trends. I talk about what I'm passionate about. I just hope I can reach others through this story. My story.
So to be a new creature follow your heart.

Inspiration

Hello again New Creatures, both new and distinguished supporters of Kana Wear. Thanks again for your continued support throughout these years.
I'm writing to tell you about my new collection that i will be releasing on March 11, 2017. It is dedicated to the woman who goes through continual transformation. She is vibrant and beautiful yet subtle. You don't have to hear she has arrived you know she did because she just appears, and she's the most breath taking individual inside and out.
A little fact about me is that I used To study butterflies when I was younger. I wanted to be a scientist and veterinarian. My dream changed when my project with the study of butterflies was taped to the edge of the table after putting all my hard work and effort (art and research) into it for a science fair project in elementary school. The judges couldn't see it down there on the side of the table but they did see everything on top of it that had nothing to do with my project. I got a pep talk from my science fair coordinator after the fair was over to never give up because I was really disappointed unto tears. I am not the type who likes to give up but this time I did give up for several reasons. I sucked at math, every fish my mom bought (in hopes it would soothe my desire for a dog) died, and my mom made me give away my pet cat to a animal hospital because she hated to have furry pets in the apartment. I had to face it I wasn't ever going to be able to continue my study of animals and learn to take care of them. But when you love something you can never give up on it. I'm still a dog person but my love is butterflies. I would never capture these beautiful things. I'd just plant flowers they'd be attracted to so they can eat nectar, and lay their eggs on the leaves. Even caterpillars are beautiful to me. Did you know Monarch butterflies like milkweed plants? I have a mentor who loves butterflies however she covers herself with the milkweed scent. She was trying to figure out why each time she came into her greenhouse, butterflies would follow her (show off!). If I didn't know any better I would have thought she was from a Disney movie because of the way I visualized the butterflies keeping her company as she planted her veggies. When I told her butterflies like the smell of her oils she said “Oh! That's why they follow me!" Good thing she loves butterflies. I specifically remember her liking butterflies for the symbolism and beauty just like me.
So to tell you the truth the theme of my collection has a lot to do with butterflies. I'm not going to reveal the name of the collection so until then. Let's just label it “new collection" by Kana Wear. I already let too much slip saying it has something to do with butterflies.
I don't want everyone thinking I'm just a butterfly fanatic and that's why my collection is inspired by butterflies, so let me explain in detail why this is the inspiration of my collection.
Kana Wear had a prime where I was being featured in magazines, I constantly had money and I always had clients. Times change, the economy changes and if I had the knowledge that I do now about how to make money I would have been very well off at a young age. As I said in another article I wrote, you grow and learn. After my boom was pretty much over I fell into a very dry season where it was rather difficult to recover from. In college it seemed to get worse and I was barely making it and could hardly buy materials for school or food for that matter. It was hard and I thought my dreams of being my own boss, entrepreneur, and designer were dead. I even lost interest for a time, but I could never stop being myself even if I tried. I craved music, I craved color, and I wanted to feel inspired again. I became motivated to chase dreams again after my daughter was born but that was mere motivation. I needed inspiration something to move me on the inside as an artist and lately that has been happening because I'm reclaiming life again, and I'm feeling a little hope.
All this time I assumed my dream was dead and like this was a revival but truthfully I've been transforming this whole time. I didn't just sit down and not do anything while I went through this season, I increased my knowledge in both business and my craft. So I have also been preparing myself for a huge come back. I guess it's safe to say I went through a metamorphosis of my own. So this launch is important to me.
I can't convince you that this vision is important enough to sow into or that my work will even satisfy you, but that's why it's a launch party. I'll be featuring some things I've mastered making such as work I have displayed on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. The clothing part is a stretch because of budget but I can do it. I'm ready to burst forth and there's nothing I can possibly not learn via the power of the internet. So I'm giving it a shot!
So if you would like to help make this dream a reality alongside me. I do have a campaign here is the link:

https://www.gofundme.com/kanawearcampaign

Any support and any contribution is very well worth it. The goal is to reach $500 but this campaign is ongoing even past that amount. I still don't have certain materials. A serger costs $200 by itself, a laptop is very expensive, and that doesn't include the cost of tools and supplies I'd need in addition to this to actually make the collection I'm envisioning. I already own a sewing machine but I'd love to expand. I have 4 whole months to get this thing together. Anything happens I'll just move dates around, but I can never give up. So here's to the Kana Wear Campaign and fundraiser. Every dollar goes towards the cost of something I need for this launch party, and I'd really appreciate it if I reached my goal by the end of this year. That can at least guarantee that this thing is being made real. So thanks again readers. When this launch happens I hope you can either attend personally or tune in via Facebook live, and buy some items that are featured at the launch. I really hope this is the beginning of a beautiful thing.
Thanks again and remember to continue to be a new creature. I mean that with my whole heart. Follow your dreams, write your vision, make it plain, chase your dreams because nobody else can do it but you.
Sincerely,
Shakana

Introduction to Kana Wear Designer

Hi, my name is Shakana! I'd like to introduce myself to my readers so they can get a general idea of who I am.
At this current time I'm 25 years old. I'm very ambitious, and determined. I'm very spiritual, and I've been an entrepreneur for over 10 yrs. I'm married with two kids and I am what America calls “Educated" formally a trade.
My educational background (if you are looking for credentials) is an Associate Degree in Fashion Design (Bauder College) and a Project Management Certification (GA Tech Professional Education)
Phew! Now that I've said all that hoopla, let's get on to the fun part. Talking about my business. I've been doing this thing and not giving up on it for years!
Even though I've been doing the craft and calling it Kana Wear since I was 11 years old, I didn't become an LLC until last year in 2015.
So I've been working on my business and becoming legit for years. Had I known how to do all this stuff back when I was 11 years old I probably would have done it. You win some and you lose some though; and you live, learn, and grow.

If you are one of my long time clients who supported me way back when I carried my merchandise in a basket to sell thanks for your support over the years. ;-) You have no idea how important you are to me! Now instead of a basket you can buy online via my website by way of PayPal. You are all my beautiful butterflies. VIP in the world of Kana Wear!

So here is what's on its way in Kana Wear world. My website is new, My blog is new, and all the cool features and buttons on my website are all adds from accounts that have existed for years. This time though, my Facebook page Kana Wear has store front where you can order your merchandise as well and even be redirected to my website. In celebration of all this I'll be planning a relaunch party over the next couple of months into the new year. I'll say there will probably be some live streaming and trust me it will be completely worth watching, unlike so many pointless times people have hit the button to go live on Facebook. Ha-ha! Think of it as a rebirthing and bursting forth out of my chrysalis into the bright world and showing it my color and beauty.
You might be wondering why I'm making reference to butterflies. Well... If you haven't noticed yet my logo is a butterfly. I made it in college and I'm very emotionally attached to it because I used to study butterflies as a child. My slogan is “Be a new creature." It's from 2 Corinthians 5:17 which says if any man be in Christ he is a new creature. The old has passed away and the new has come. Strangely enough the butterfly is symbolic of being a new creature, and the transformation that takes place in a person. My goal as a designer is to let God do the internal changes, and let me compliment who the client is with the creations I come up with. As a person I'm very uplifting and I'll make sure that even on a bad day my clients feel wonderful. Not just because they're buying my product but because I am who I am. One of the best parts of selling is being involved with the customer. I have had my share of “interesting" customers but hey, it doesn't take away the joy of creating, selling, and dealing with other people who would love to do business with me.
As you can see I love what I do, and I've been doing it for quite some time. Any other credentials I get would really be for my personal knowledge and satisfaction because I'm an entrepreneur. In the bigger scheme of things I have a plan to constantly grow in my business from this point. It's a journey and I'm not claiming to be the most fantastic designer either. I'm just a woman who loves to create, and be an entrepreneur. I'm not in competition with anyone. I'm more focused on beating my own personal highs and if that's a dream created in the clouds then next time it'll be the moon.

Here are some of my Launch Dates:

Website/App Launch- January 1, 2017
Product Launch Party- March 11, 2017

Until next time. Be a new creature!