Starting a small business is never easy, but it can be especially challenging when you've spent over two decades in a completely different industry. Yet that's exactly what happened to me. I spent 23 years working in the banking industry, thinking I would retire from it. But due to a change of events, I found myself leaving that career and feeling unsure about what to do next.
After a lot of soul-searching, I decided to take some time for myself and pursue a personal interest: stained glass. I enrolled in a course and found myself fascinated by the process of creating beautiful, colorful pieces of art. As I honed my skills, I discovered that I had a particular talent for working with stained glass to create intricate, eye-catching mosaics.
And so, in 2004, I took the leap and officially started my own small business, specializing in creating mosaics using stained glass. I started out small, accepting commissions from friends and family members, but soon my reputation began to grow. People were drawn to the unique beauty of my creations, and word-of-mouth recommendations led to more and more business.
One of the things I love most about my work is that every piece is unique. I never create the same thing twice. Each commission is a new challenge, requiring me to use my creativity and problem-solving skills to bring my clients' visions to life.
Over the years, I've had the opportunity to create a wide variety of pieces, from small, simple mosaics to larger-scale more complex. I've taught countless workshops, sharing my knowledge and passion with others who are interested in learning this beautiful craft. Watching my students create beautiful pieces and seeing the joy and pride they felt was incredibly fulfilling.
Starting my own business was undoubtedly a challenge, but it's been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I've been able to turn my passion into a career, and I've had the privilege of bringing beauty and joy into people's lives through my art. If you're considering starting your own business, my advice would be to follow your passions, be willing to work hard, and never give up on your dreams.