Pablo Picasso said:
“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”
20 / 30 / 50
I ran my first business at 20. I didn’t understand that turnover was different to profit. And when people paid me to do what I loved I felt like a cheat.
When I set up what went on to be my biggest business (to date) aged 30, I went on instinct. I walked, fell over, got up, fell over and just kept getting up again. Each time I fell over I laughed at how stupid I was. Each time I got up – I was stronger.
My overnight success of getting to a seven figure turnover and winning 70 design and marketing awards around the world with this business took 14 years.
At 50, I struggle sometimes because I am supposed to be clever. I am supposed to know best.
Childish
I am currently revisiting how to articulate concisely what the Always Wear Red brand is for. But my head is so full of experience and information (I understand the physiology and psychology of red better than most, don’t you know) – it’s hard.
I want you to know our product is best because of how we harness the power of red, or the exceptional fibre length of the cashmere, or the density of the silk or the thickness of the leather. But that’s all too much.
I am trying to think like a child again. But unlearning over-thinking is hard. And unlearning over-communicating is harder still.
I am craving childish. And as my birthday card above is my favourite one, I guess I still have it in there somewhere.
If you have advice for me, please comment below.
Thank you.
