On a whim and because I could hardly resist her captivating charisma, I booked a Clarity Call session with an amazing Creative Business Coach, Allie Otterbacher. I highly recommend having a session with her even if the idea you have is merely a whisper. Scan her QR Code here for information:
As I rewatched the video from that call, which at the time I was unaware it was to be recorded so I am in my ultra authentic state...no makeup, morning hair, tired rings hanging beneath my eyes and bed sheet wrinkles in my skin...you get the picture. I realized that mentally I was feeling the same as that image of me. I was lacking a creative outlet in my life...a spark. I had pretty much allowed my mind to talk my heart out of any of its crazy ideas. That conversation was a turning point for me. I gained clarity and I gathered one of the most powerful ingredients for success...gumption. With a few simple words, "why not try?", the creative wheels began spinning. Oh, I still had a zillion reasons why it couldn't possibly work out, but not one for, 'why not try?" So I did.
Shortly after, the idea for Baba's Bake Shop was inspired while baking Kolache at my mother's house. It was a traditional Slovak family recipe. All the vibes were present. My mother had set up stations for us in her kitchen with all the necessary ingredients and rolling pins. My sister walked in and proclaimed, "it looks like a Baba's Bake Shop in here!" We exchanged excited glances and the seed was planted. The same weekend, the first logo sketch was set to paper by my sister's skilled hand. A couple of weeks after that, I started this blog just to give the ideas that were pouring into my brain, a space to live and breathe. What seems like seconds later, I purchased the domain name and created a Website then pressed the "Publish" button. Why not?
As soon as I gave the idea permission to live, it set off on its own to explore. Instead of trying to lead it, I decided just to follow where it led me. By this time, it was nearing Easter, which if you have been following so far, you know that is where the idea led me first. I baked several batches of my Baba's Easter bread, called Paska. I received an amazing amount of encouragement, learned how to set up online sales and shipping, gained insight on unpredictable circumstances that felt like game changers, but then wisdom is rarely acquired without some kind of wonky experience, am I right? More valuable than anything else and most importantly, I found that trying wasn't terrifying at all. Quite the contrary, it was invigorating! It carried with it a spark. That spark traveled like electricity through my brain waking up all the other ideas that laid sleeping in the creative spaces all bundled up like it was migrating season or something. Don't even get me started on the constant chatter boxes they have turned into after being dormant so long. They've been having conference calls and meetings like, nonstop!
Putting my idea out there allowed me to connect with other people and businesses in the local area. Quite by chance, I met one of the co-owners of a local foodery that was in need of a baker. I brought an assortment of items for them to sample and have since been baking my "goods" for them at request and each time I make a delivery it feels surreal. In just a measly six months, the creative spark keeps swirling so I will continue to allow my wildly awakened ideas to wander through space and time remaining open to the infinite possibilities that were once just a thought, a daydream, until gumption entered the scene. Best ingredient I've found yet, hands down.
So exciting watching as you continue to press forward
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