Fashion Business Owner Musings: You’re Not Always Running the Show

One difficult lesson I have learned over the years as a fashion business owner is that regardless of how much planning and time management we do, sometimes we are simply not running the show.

I’m not a believer in fate or destiny or that everything happens for a reason. But I am a believer that you can’t control everything in your business, no matter how hard you try. And believe me, I’ve tried.

When you’re running a fashion business, there are things that are out of our control.

Outside forces, decisions, and other people will always impact things and create certain outcomes.

From technical hiccups to production disasters to getting the flu for a week and half, I don’t think there’s a business person alive who hasn’t felt at one point or another that all their perfect plans were crumbling around them.

All their hard work, all their money, all their chances, were gone.

And I’m not going to say that you can’t let yourself feel that way. For a minute. Cry, throw things, scream, whatever. Have your moment.

But make it that, a moment.

Then make a decision to keep going.

Because the true test of your ability to succeed at your goals is how you react when it looks as though they’ll never come true.

When your plans are impacted by things that are out of your control, what will you do next?

Will you fold up into yourself and let the feeling of defeat define you and the business you’re working on?

Or will you take a deep breath, a break, and then make a new plan?

All too often I see how circumstances and things that are out of our control cause people to give up. The problem with that is if we all give up every time we’re impacted by forces bigger than ourselves, then no one would do anything, ever.

Because this kind of thing happens to everyone at some point. And the sooner we realize that, the easier it will be to get back up.

Running a fashion business is a never-ending cycle of dodging disaster and celebrating wins. Back and forth, give and take, push and pull. It’s not a smooth ride.

You know that. I know you do. So try to remember it the next time you feel completely out of control of the situation.

You will figure out what to do next. You will find the silver lining. You will make it work.

Just keep trying.

Lots of love and encouragement,