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March 12, 2009

“Follow your bliss”

Kelly @ JAX Decor & Design

I read this quote on Patricia Gray’s blog. It’s by Joseph Campbell. The complete quote is:

My general formula for my students is “Follow your bliss.” Find where it is, and don’t be afraid to follow it.

Last night, I popped into Beddingtons and got to talking with the lady at the cash. I can’t quite remember how the topic came up (my brain is a sieve!!), but she told me the story of a friend’s daughter, Cheryl Smith. Cheryl was working at the International Air Transport Association in Montreal, but her real love was web design. She didn’t have any formal training or education in web design — she just loved web design.

NM logo I can’t remember all the details of the story (again, that sieve brain problem, plus I was running late for step dance class). But through a series of events, Cheryl ended up designing the web site for and working with amazing Canadian fiddler, Natalie MacMaster. Which led to her designing web sites for other people (including other musicians). Which led to her moving to the East Coast. Which led to her creating OutFront Productions Inc. Which culminated in her becoming an award–winning Graphic Designer: (Image to the left from Natalie MacMaster’s web site)

  • 2002 International Association of Webmasters and Designers “Golden Web Award for Design”
  • 2005 Junior Chamber of Commerce “Young Entrepreneur of the Year”
  • 2005 & 2006 East Coast Music Awards (ECMA) “Graphic Designer of the Year”
  • 2009 Nominated for ECMA “Graphic Designer of the Year” and “Website of the Year”

Cheryl followed her bliss, and has achieved amazing success. Yay, Cheryl!!

So today, I’m even more inspired to follow my bliss and start my own home decorating business. To be honest, I’m really not sure how to go about it. I have an officially registered company — JAX Decor & Design — and a potential logo designed by a Graphic Design friend:

JAXdd_sample1b

I also have a bright pink binder I bought at Staples to keep all my paperwork and projects in :-) Hubby is currently working on installing a ceiling and lighting in my home office. And I’m decorating a good friend’s guest bedroom. I’m kind of at a loss after that…

purple hearts Like Cheryl, I don’t have any formal training or education in interior decorating. But it’s my absolute greatest love and passion. Well, after my family and my dogs :-) I think about decorating ALL THE TIME. I spend as much time as I can reading decorating blogs and checking out designer web sites and reading decorating books and magazines and watching decorating shows on TV. Decorating is what I want to do more than anything…

It’s time to stop the “wanting” and start the “doing”look out bliss, here I come!!

See more of Cheryl’s work here:

OutFront Productions Inc. Portfolio

11 comments:

Cyndi said...

Hi Kelly,
Follow your bliss!You are inspiring me to follow mine too.My problem(well one of them ) is that I need steady money coming in but a plan is forming.At my job current job I can restrict myself to certain days I will work.I can start following my bliss and have for sure $$$ coming in at the same time.God kelly! Someday I will be saying I knew that designer way back in 2009,first met on a site called micasa.... :)
Cyndi

Kim said...

Good for you! You should definitely follow your bliss. It seems that you have gotten off to a good start. When you are mega and designing for all the rich and famous, don't forget about us. Keep on blogging.

Unknown said...

I love your logo and Company name. Just keep going and following your Bliss because that is what makes life rich and rewarding.
You go Girl!!!

Unknown said...

PS Thanks for including my post on The Color Purple.
http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/2008/03/color-purple.html

Tiaa @ EYInteriors said...

Hi Kelly, like you, I've decided to follow my passion and start my own decorating company. I couldn't be happier. It's a lot of work but its well worth it because I'm doing something that I love to do. I took classes in the field, networked, and designed rooms for friends and family while starting my business. I must say blogging has helped tremendously in getting my name out there. Best of luck and MUCH SUCCESS to you. Maybe we can chat offline to motivate and encourage one another.

Maria Killam said...

My other favourite definition of bliss is - A A pervasive sense of well-being for no apparent reason. You go girl!

Mrs B said...

Hi Kelly
You know this post is true to my own heart. You have such an incredible sense of style and humour, your posts are so imaginative!
How could anyone not want you as a designer. Starting a business is hard work and there may be days you feel nothing is happening. But I feel that sometimes it just takes that one 'lucky break" or special client to really set you up.
You are following your dream and that is the most important thing....
Mrs B

Anonymous said...

Kelly,
The ladies at Primed4Design salute you! We are with you on your journey and would love to collaborate in any way to further both of our design obsessions!! Please be and touch and thanks for your comment on our blog! Yours is now bookmarked!
Chrys and Jen (P4D)

The Decorating Voice said...

Kelly, Welcome to the decorating world. It's the most rewarding thing I've ever done. I would like to invite you over to our blog http://www.thedecoratingvoice.org sponsored by The Society of Decorating Professionals. You might find us useful. I hope to see you there.

Marleen

DesignTies said...

Thanks so much for all your supportive feedback :-) The more I make my way around blogworld, the more wonderful and inspiring blogs I see and people I "meet" :-)

Hope you're all following your bliss too!!

Kelly

Beth said...

Kelly, this post gave me a real kick in the you-know-where! I have been decorating for free for friends & family my whole life, with no real design education or experience. Just a huge love for design and helping people do the best with what they have. I have started a small decorating business as well, but have been a little stuck lately. Thank you for your encouragement!

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