The Road To JVB Consults
In her book, Bird by Bird, about writing and life lessons, author Anne Lamott speaks humorously about perfectionism, drive, and the negative, doubtful voices that sometimes prevent us all from taking creative leaps. Lamott’s humor keeps things light while she simultaneously punches the reader in the gut with reality: any creative journey is challenging, heartbreaking, and nearly always worth it. I know this to be true.
Starting most things can be scary, even if the work ahead is exciting, and the goals we’ve set are personally and professionally fulfilling. Dreams don’t usually fall into our laps magically. We put in thousands of hours of work to realize them. We change course sometimes. We question ourselves. Sometime our younger, more uncertain selves spring up in our heads and whisper: What’s next? How are you going to do this, fund this, build this? or they grumble, You know you come from nothing, right? Who the heck do you think you are!?
The good news is that you’re alone in this questioning. Lamott, and every other wise soul among us, reminds us that we all have fears. Some are innate fears— pain, heights, predators fast-approaching objects— and some were constructed for us by others— parents, teachers, communities, leaders. Humans often pass along fears to others as a way to protect other, or fortify their own learned fear. But, what if you could let go of those constructed voices for a minute, as well-meaning as they may seem. In this moment, free from fear, ask yourself: what do you want to do with your life?
One of the many things I’ve learned in my decades of working in such an energetic, creative, intense industry as fashion and design, is that I have to find a balance between recognizing my fears, and moving forward through them. Fear doesn’t always tell us the truth or lead us in the best direction. Sometimes it paralyzes us or makes us feel helpless. Years ago, I knew that I wanted to start my own consulting business, but I had to examine a lot of my own self doubt. I got curious. Over time, I stopped honoring the negative noise. I turned to patience. Eventually, the more I trusted myself the more I realized that the fear-driven voices in my head weren’t scary, they were sacred. They were the voices given to me through my life, sometimes to protect me and sometimes to dishonor me, but they were all based in fear.
Interesting things started to happen once I could delineate innate and learned fears. I saw myself and my talent more clearly. My boundaries became more clear and my sense of freedom grew. The people who supported me, saw my talent, and honored all of me were already lined up for the ride in ways that felt organic and authentic. This has led me to now: JVB Consults, an independent company that provides strategic and thoughtful design management in areas of innovation, operations, finance, organization, and marketing.
You may be well into your journey, or you may not be ready to start your own business venture. Whatever your now is, I’m here for you. On this journey, you get to honor where you came from, even if the struggle was hard. On this journey you don’t have to rush. You don’t have to give up the driver’s seat, but you do get to invite trusted, smart, talented people who believe in your vision to join you on the trip.