Before long – “If You’re Happy and You Know It” became “If You’re Hannah and You Know It” and the idea of Name Your Tune was born. Candace’s husband, Eric works in the music industry and he supported the idea of the new business venture and also brought significant skills and expertise to the table. From the beginning, the focus has been on making music fun for children and parents alike. By customizing songs with a child’s name, this wife and husband team has been able to take classic children’s songs to a new place.

Sing a New Song

Candace admittedly has no experience in the music industry but her background in liberal arts and education has provided her with a cadre of transferable skills that help her run the business. Directly after college, Candace hoped to pursue teaching but the lack of opportunities in the education field led her to a position in the retail industry. She was working her way up the management ladder when she became pregnant with Hannah. The plan was to go back right after her maternity leave but Name Your Tune happily took her life in a different direction.

Candace has been active with children and youth in her community through social programs, summer camps and trips abroad so creating a new business about kids was an ideal fit. They started with 9 songs and 800 recorded names. Candace and Eric invented the technology to personalize the songs with a child’s name in the recording process.

Eric’s music background came in very handy with this new business venture. As the company co-founder, he has been active in the Canadian music scene for 15+ years and has experience with media relations and acquisitions for Koch Entertainment which proved extremely valuable for Name Your Tune.

Bringing Home the Bacon and Cooking It

In the beginning, Candace admits she was useless around computers as technology was not her forte. But, she is now the company’s one-woman IT department and coordinates the efforts of 4 amazing singers, producers, and a West Coast office, handling most of the day-to-day tasks herself.

Being a mompreneur and a WAHM (work at home mom) means that Candace can be her own boss. She sets her own hours, which lends itself to a flexible schedule so she can balance her varying roles as a mom, wife, daughter, sister, and business owner. While Candace admits to accepting a certain amount of imbalance as a reality to her day, she feels fortunate to be able to work from home and enjoy the little things that she couldn’t do if she worked off site.

While juggling Name Your Tune responsibilities she usually does a few loads of laundry and gets her daughter to and from school daily. She has become the queen of multi-tasking. On an ambitious day this might also include cooking a batch of homemade spaghetti sauce because these are things that she is able to fit in during her work day now.

A Hard Day’s Night

While the work day might sound idyllic, prioritizing her family during the day means that Candace often works at the computer well into the night. Eric is often at her side since this business is truly a joint venture and a family affair. She has his total support and kid coverage when the job requires her working weekends away for promotional events to brand their product. They have developed a partnership and have each other’s backs to cover things on the work and home front.

Since the company launch, Name Your Tune has become the leading personalized CD in the world. Children will hear their name more than 80 times throughout 14 treasured songs and they now have over 4500 names to choose from!

People Magazine called Name Your Tune CDs “This year’s most coveted item.” in 2009.  NBC’s The Today Show calls the CD “Must have baby gear – now that’s something to sing about!” Celebrity parents sporting customized CDs include: Patrick Dempsey, Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie, Matt Damon, Debra Messing, Tori Spelling, Denise Richards and many more.

Reality Check

The business is thriving now and going better than Candace and Eric ever expected. But, the start-up costs were significant. Family was very supportive and Candace’s dad is an accountant who shared his financial wisdom and backing for the new company.

With 4 performers and a full studio assembled to record the customized songs, Name Your Tune cost $25,000 to become functional in the very beginning. Candace and Eric also have West Coast partners that manage and grow the business in the states. They see it as a 4-way partnership and each person has a specific job that makes the engine run.

Candace warns other aspiring entrepreneurs to protect themselves legally early on and seek out expert advice from a lawyer. She and Eric sought out the counsel of many specialists to make up for skills they did not possess.  Defining their unique brand in the marketplace has been incredibly important as well as the research required to figure out the nuance of supply and demand in the kid’s music industry.

At the end of the day, Candace is happy as a WAHM but warns other moms to be realistic about what you can commit to while raising your family. “Sometimes you have to learn to live with the fact that the beds aren’t made and the dirty dishes in the sink because you are working and growing your business while raising your kids. And that’s ok!” Candace is still figuring out the delicate balancing act and no two days are alike. She wants her daughter to know that there is more to life than work even though as a WAHM she is never off duty.

Play it Forward

A portion of company proceeds are donated to Hear Here, the non-profit, charitable organization that purchases hearing aids for children through the Hospital for Sick Children. In 2007, Candace also launched a campaign called Play it Forward, a new initiative to support the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund. This effort collects new and pre-loved CDs to be distributed across Canada in support of Music Therapy. With the support and generosity of her customers, friends and colleagues, over 20,000 CDs were collected and distributed last year.

The accolades keep rolling in since Name Your Tune CDs have been named as an iParenting Award winner, the Parent to Parent Award, and in 2010, was nominated for both a Nickelodeon Parent Pick Award and Candace was herself nominated for an RBC Entrepreneur Award.

Out of a great idea, a song or two, and a lot of hard work and enthusiasm, Candace Alper changed her tune and reinvented her career from retail management in waiting to record label entrepreneur.

Candace’s Advice and Action Steps:

• To the WAHMs – don’t underestimate how hard it is to work at home.
• Empower yourself with information and seek help from others who do what you can’t.
• Don’t take things personally, business is business.
• Research the market you want to enter and find out what the needs are. Plan your transition according to what you love and what is needed.

Quote:

“It’s only a good idea if you do it – so do it fully!” Candace Alper

Resources:

Name Your Tune www.nameyourtune.com

Before long – “If You’re Happy and You Know It” became “If You’re Hannah and You Know It” and the idea of Name Your Tune was born. Candace’s husband, Eric works in the music industry and he supported the idea of the new business venture and also brought significant skills and expertise to the table. From the beginning, the focus has been on making music fun for children and parents alike. By customizing songs with a child’s name, this wife and husband team has been able to take classic children’s songs to a new place.

Sing a New Song

Candace admittedly has no experience in the music industry but her background in liberal arts and education has provided her with a cadre of transferable skills that help her run the business. Directly after college, Candace hoped to pursue teaching but the lack of opportunities in the education field led her to a position in the retail industry. She was working her way up the management ladder when she became pregnant with Hannah. The plan was to go back right after her maternity leave but Name Your Tune happily took her life in a different direction.

Candace has been active with children and youth in her community through social programs, summer camps and trips abroad so creating a new business about kids was an ideal fit. They started with 9 songs and 800 recorded names. Candace and Eric invented the technology to personalize the songs with a child’s name in the recording process.

Eric’s music background came in very handy with this new business venture. As the company co-founder, he has been active in the Canadian music scene for 15+ years and has experience with media relations and acquisitions for Koch Entertainment which proved extremely valuable for Name Your Tune.

Bringing Home the Bacon and Cooking It

In the beginning, Candace admits she was useless around computers as technology was not her forte. But, she is now the company’s one-woman IT department and coordinates the efforts of 4 amazing singers, producers, and a West Coast office, handling most of the day-to-day tasks herself.

Being a mompreneur and a WAHM (work at home mom) means that Candace can be her own boss. She sets her own hours, which lends itself to a flexible schedule so she can balance her varying roles as a mom, wife, daughter, sister, and business owner. While Candace admits to accepting a certain amount of imbalance as a reality to her day, she feels fortunate to be able to work from home and enjoy the little things that she couldn’t do if she worked off site.

While juggling Name Your Tune responsibilities she usually does a few loads of laundry and gets her daughter to and from school daily. She has become the queen of multi-tasking. On an ambitious day this might also include cooking a batch of homemade spaghetti sauce because these are things that she is able to fit in during her work day now.

A Hard Day’s Night

While the work day might sound idyllic, prioritizing her family during the day means that Candace often works at the computer well into the night. Eric is often at her side since this business is truly a joint venture and a family affair. She has his total support and kid coverage when the job requires her working weekends away for promotional events to brand their product. They have developed a partnership and have each other’s backs to cover things on the work and home front.

Since the company launch, Name Your Tune has become the leading personalized CD in the world. Children will hear their name more than 80 times throughout 14 treasured songs and they now have over 4500 names to choose from!

People Magazine called Name Your Tune CDs “This year’s most coveted item.” in 2009.  NBC’s The Today Show calls the CD “Must have baby gear – now that’s something to sing about!” Celebrity parents sporting customized CDs include: Patrick Dempsey, Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie, Matt Damon, Debra Messing, Tori Spelling, Denise Richards and many more.

Reality Check

The business is thriving now and going better than Candace and Eric ever expected. But, the start-up costs were significant. Family was very supportive and Candace’s dad is an accountant who shared his financial wisdom and backing for the new company.

With 4 performers and a full studio assembled to record the customized songs, Name Your Tune cost $25,000 to become functional in the very beginning. Candace and Eric also have West Coast partners that manage and grow the business in the states. They see it as a 4-way partnership and each person has a specific job that makes the engine run.

Candace warns other aspiring entrepreneurs to protect themselves legally early on and seek out expert advice from a lawyer. She and Eric sought out the counsel of many specialists to make up for skills they did not possess.  Defining their unique brand in the marketplace has been incredibly important as well as the research required to figure out the nuance of supply and demand in the kid’s music industry.

At the end of the day, Candace is happy as a WAHM but warns other moms to be realistic about what you can commit to while raising your family. “Sometimes you have to learn to live with the fact that the beds aren’t made and the dirty dishes in the sink because you are working and growing your business while raising your kids. And that’s ok!” Candace is still figuring out the delicate balancing act and no two days are alike. She wants her daughter to know that there is more to life than work even though as a WAHM she is never off duty.

Play it Forward

A portion of company proceeds are donated to Hear Here, the non-profit, charitable organization that purchases hearing aids for children through the Hospital for Sick Children. In 2007, Candace also launched a campaign called Play it Forward, a new initiative to support the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund. This effort collects new and pre-loved CDs to be distributed across Canada in support of Music Therapy. With the support and generosity of her customers, friends and colleagues, over 20,000 CDs were collected and distributed last year.

The accolades keep rolling in since Name Your Tune CDs have been named as an iParenting Award winner, the Parent to Parent Award, and in 2010, was nominated for both a Nickelodeon Parent Pick Award and Candace was herself nominated for an RBC Entrepreneur Award.

Out of a great idea, a song or two, and a lot of hard work and enthusiasm, Candace Alper changed her tune and reinvented her career from retail management in waiting to record label entrepreneur.

Candace’s Advice and Action Steps:

• To the WAHMs – don’t underestimate how hard it is to work at home.
• Empower yourself with information and seek help from others who do what you can’t.
• Don’t take things personally, business is business.
• Research the market you want to enter and find out what the needs are. Plan your transition according to what you love and what is needed.

Quote:

“It’s only a good idea if you do it – so do it fully!” Candace Alper

Resources:

Name Your Tune www.nameyourtune.com

Before long – “If You’re Happy and You Know It” became “If You’re Hannah and You Know It” and the idea of Name Your Tune was born. Candace’s husband, Eric works in the music industry and he supported the idea of the new business venture and also brought significant skills and expertise to the table. From the beginning, the focus has been on making music fun for children and parents alike. By customizing songs with a child’s name, this wife and husband team have been able to take classic children’s songs to a new place.

Sing a New Song

Candace admittedly has no experience in the music industry but her background in liberal arts and education has provided her with a cadre of transferable skills that help her run the business. Directly after college, Candace hoped to pursue teaching but the lack of opportunities in the education field led her to a position in the retail industry. She was working her way up the management ladder when she became pregnant with Hannah. The plan was to go back right after her maternity leave but Name Your Tune happily took her life in a different direction.

Candace has been active with children and youth in her community through social programs, summer camps and trips abroad so creating a new business about kids was an ideal fit. They started with 9 songs and 800 recorded names. Candace and Eric invented the technology to personalize the songs with a child’s name in the recording process.

Eric’s music background came in very handy with this new business venture. As the company co-founder, he has been active in the Canadian music scene for 15+ years and has experience with media relations and acquisitions for Koch Entertainment which proved extremely valuable for Name Your Tune.

Bringing Home the Bacon and Cooking It

In the beginning, Candace admits she was useless around computers as technology was not her forte. But, she is now the company’s one-woman IT department and coordinates the efforts of 4 amazing singers, producers, and a West Coast office, handling most of the day-to-day tasks herself.

Being a mompreneur and a WAHM (work-at-home mom) means that Candace can be her own boss. She sets her own hours, which lends itself to a flexible schedule so she can balance her varying roles as a mom, wife, daughter, sister, and business owner. While Candace admits to accepting a certain amount of imbalance as a reality to her day, she feels fortunate to be able to work from home and enjoy the little things that she couldn’t do if she worked off site.

While juggling Name Your Tune responsibilities she usually does a few loads of laundry and gets her daughter to and from school daily. She has become the queen of multi-tasking. On an ambitious day this might also include cooking a batch of homemade spaghetti sauce because these are things that she is able to fit in during her work day now.

A Hard Day’s Night

While the work day might sound idyllic, prioritizing her family during the day means that Candace often works at the computer well into the night. Eric is often at her side since this business is truly a joint venture and a family affair. She has his total support and kid coverage when the job requires her working weekends away for promotional events to brand their product. They have developed a partnership and have each other’s backs to cover things on the work and home front.

Since the company launch, Name Your Tune has become the leading personalized CD in the world. Children will hear their name more than 80 times throughout 14 treasured songs and they now have over 4500 names to choose from!

People Magazine called Name Your Tune CDs “This year’s most coveted item.” in 2009.  NBC’s The Today Show calls the CD “Must have baby gear – now that’s something to sing about!” Celebrity parents sporting customized CDs include: Patrick Dempsey, Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie, Matt Damon, Debra Messing, Tori Spelling, Denise Richards and many more.

Reality Check

The business is thriving now and going better than Candace and Eric ever expected. But, the start-up costs were significant. Family was very supportive and Candace’s dad is an accountant who shared his financial wisdom and backing for the new company.

With 4 performers and a full studio assembled to record the customized songs, Name Your Tune cost $25,000 to become functional in the very beginning. Candace and Eric also have West Coast partners that manage and grow the business in the states. They see it as a 4-way partnership and each person has a specific job that makes the engine run.

Candace warns other aspiring entrepreneurs to protect themselves legally early on and seek out expert advice from a lawyer. She and Eric sought out the counsel of many specialists to make up for skills they did not possess.  Defining their unique brand in the marketplace has been incredibly important as well as the research required to figure out the nuance of supply and demand in the kid’s music industry.

At the end of the day, Candace is happy as a WAHM but warns other moms to be realistic about what you can commit to while raising your family. “Sometimes you have to learn to live with the fact that the beds aren’t made and the dirty dishes in the sink because you are working and growing your business while raising your kids. And that’s ok!” Candace is still figuring out the delicate balancing act and no two days are alike. She wants her daughter to know that there is more to life than work even though as a WAHM she is never off duty.

Play it Forward

A portion of company proceeds are donated to Hear Here, the non-profit, charitable organization that purchases hearing aids for children through the Hospital for Sick Children. In 2007, Candace also launched a campaign called Play it Forward, a new initiative to support the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund. This effort collects new and pre-loved CDs to be distributed across Canada in support of Music Therapy. With the support and generosity of her customers, friends and colleagues, over 20,000 CDs were collected and distributed last year.

The accolades keep rolling in since Name Your Tune CDs have been named as an iParenting Award winner, the Parent to Parent Award, and in 2010, was nominated for both a Nickelodeon Parent Pick Award and Candace was herself nominated for an RBC Entrepreneur Award.

Out of a great idea, a song or two, and a lot of hard work and enthusiasm, Candace Alper changed her tune and reinvented her career from retail management in waiting to record label entrepreneur.

Candace’s Advice and Action Steps:

• To the WAHMs – don’t underestimate how hard it is to work at home.
• Empower yourself with information and seek help from others who do what you can’t.
• Don’t take things personally, business is business.
• Research the market you want to enter and find out what the needs are. Plan your transition according to what you love and what is needed.

Quote:

“It’s only a good idea if you do it – so do it fully!” Candace Alper

Resources:

Name Your Tune www.nameyourtune.com

Pam designs custom pieces that act as windows in time and reflect old world craftsmanship, dedication, and attention to detail. Venetian Décor does not promote the trapping and killing of animals but works exclusively with vintage fur coats to ensure that these historic resources are refashioned into useful and appreciated products.

According to Pam:

“Our mission is to imbue a little corner of your life with some old world magic and elegance by re-purposing vintage items and giving them a modern twist. My love of beautiful vintage fur coats and French furniture inspired me to create this line of products for you to enjoy for many years to come.”

A Little Bit of History Preserved

Her signature pieces are beautiful one-of-a-kind furnishings and throws made from vintage fur coats and buttons just like great-grandmother owned.  “We are based in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, where the pioneer spirit of early fur trappers and adventurers still whispers through the spruce and fir at night, and the hopes of gold-seekers echo down the wild rivers.” For Pamela, working with re-purposed fur coats and vintage rhinestone buttons and jewelry is a chance to imagine a moment in time in a world of horse-drawn buggies and mink capes to bring a touch of old world elegance into the busy modern world.

Pam came up with the prototypes for Venetian Décor in her home studio, an 800 square foot space where she also sells her creations. She uses Italian made and imported French furniture as well as antique French furniture for her pieces. The soft Italian made leathers, natural silk fabrics and ribbons, plus natural down cushions and wool are the ultimate in eco friendly materials.

Creating the Buzz

Her first big break came from an Interior Design Show in Vancouver, BC where she showcased her wares. A writer profiled her business and featured a two page article in the Vancouver Sun newspaper with photos, and the official buzz began. The writer tackled the animal rights issue and deftly wrote that re-purposed fur means that no animals have died today. It also means that no faux fur, with its own environmental issues including pollution and petroleum based synthetics are being manufactured for these artistic creations.

Pam has her own philosophy about using vintage fur:

“I truly believe that I have found a final resting place for these animals. It’s a way to say that we appreciate you and respect you.

Whether you believe in Pam’s vintage fur credo or not, kudos are due to this mompreneur that has created a viable business she is passionate about. Venetian Décor has was featured in a high profile article in the Beverly Hills Times magazine. Pam hopes this will introduce her brand to celebrity clientele that could really put her on the map. The Venetian Décor signature style is a blending of shabby-chic, eco-chic, French, Boho and refined but relaxed glamour styles blended together for a one-of-a kind design.

The Challenges of a Working Mother

Inspired by her own creative mother who was a ceramics artist, Pam feels a great sense of accomplishment with her new business venture. She still loves being a mother but finds this new work fulfilling and it gives her a sense of purpose so she can now put herself first. Her husband and family have been very supportive and enthusiastic and her daughters even lend a hand with her pieces.

With a new beginning in her 40’s when her kids are about to leave the nest, Pam is ready to succeed in her new business but admits there are challenges. She is a one woman show and shared that her responsibilities as a wife and mother don’t change with her new business so now she has two full-time jobs!

Without financial backing or business loans available to her, Pam used her savings to purchase the start up materials including reproduction furniture from Italy. She reinvests her profit into the business and keeps her overhead low by working from her home studio. Her husband is a professional in the building industry so he has been helpful as a resource for some basic business fundamentals but Pam has been on her own to learn the trade of the interior design industry. She advises other budding entrepreneurs to do their research about trademark, company name and logo first, and then focus on your product.

Waste Not, Want Not

Inspired by shabby chic queen, Rachel Ashwell, Pam is building her brand on the historic preservation of vintage furs as a way to honor the history of each piece with a new life. Re-purposing has become vogue in the art, interior design, and fashion world so Pam is capitalizing on the “waste not, want not” approach. Since vintage fur can last up to 100 years, her creations make sustainable sense, economically, environmentally, and socially.

Pam was featured on the Canadian TV show Urban Rush and she was recently approached by a jewelry designer to sell her pieces in their store. These baubles are a favorite of celebrities, Tori Spelling and Anne Heche so Pam hopes that they might also consider buying one of her pieces. If you have an heirloom fur coat that you want re-purposed, consider commissioning Pam to make you a custom piece that will live on for years to come.

While Pam is living a new dream with her own business, she is also establishing a practice of re-purposing and recycling items to create new furnishings. This business woman with a conscience feels like a butterfly that has just begun to spread her new wings

Pam’s Advice and Action Steps:

• Don’t overwhelm yourself with a new business, take baby steps and preserve your inner peace.
• Follow your heart and do something you are passionate about.
• Be sure you have a good resource team (family, mentors, etc.) to back you up.
• Go for it because you have nothing to lose by trying.
• Do your homework in setting up your trademark, company name and logo.

Favorite Quote: “You will never know if you don’t try.” Pam Beattie

Resources:

Venetian Décor http://www.venetiandecor.ca/

Fur Council www.furcouncil.com

But A “Practical” Career Doesn’t Feed My Soul

It was only after earning her undergraduate degree in three years with a double major, taking the law school entrance exams and applying to law schools, that Ana came to the realization that becoming an attorney was not what she wanted – it was what she was settling for.

Ana joined the ranks of corporate America as a contract negotiator, then a project manager/paralegal.  It sharpened her business skills, but was not something she pictured as her life’s work.  She did not really know what that was, or could be.

Now married and in her mid twenties, Ana and her husband were ready to start a family. After her son was born, Ana took a hiatus from work to care for the newborn and was able to unleash her creative side that laid dormant all these years by decorating and re-modeling the family home. It was during these moments that Ana realized how much she needed to be creative on a day-to-day basis.  It fed her soul.

A few years later, her daughter was born and there was nary an empty corner or wall space left to decorate.  Jewelry making began a search to find the perfect piece of jewelry to immortalize a poem her husband wrote for her when they started dating.  Ever the over-achiever, Ana threw herself into books, classes, videos – anything that would give her information on materials, techniques, methods to learn about the craft and then practiced over and over and over again until she was satisfied.

Discovering Your Inner Artist

Thanks to the encouragement and support of her husband, Ana transformed her glorified hobby into a small business.  She says she used her corporate tools regularly by developing her business plan, managing and promoting her brand, effectively time-managing, and staying organized to start her company on solid footing.  These skills are especially important for Ana who has her studio in her home and is therefore never off the clock.

Going from two incomes and no children, to one child and one income, and then two children and one income – was no easy task.  Because they had already adjusted and grown accustomed to the single check when their children were born, starting The Pretty Peacock did not result in more sacrifice.  Ana did have to start slowly as far as supplies and classes go, but as she created and sold small items, she turned around and reinvested the money to purchase more supplies and bigger/better tools, etc.

Work At Home Mom – WAHM

Financially, it was not that difficult, because her initial investment was meager. It was far more difficult for her family dynamic as she changed from ‘full-time Mom’ to Work at Home Mom (WAHM). Getting the family on board was, and continues to be a challenge. Working from home, the work/life balance is going to be an ongoing battle.

There is a true distinction between those creative entrepreneurs who came from a corporate background and those who did not.  “My project management training and skills are the most valuable of the transferable skills. Since it is a mix of staying focused on the goal/deliverable by managing your time and staying on top of things, it encompasses the meat of what you need to keep a business running smoothly.”

Ana says that to her, success is not necessarily the six figure pay check, or immense power. It is ultimately judged by happiness. Although she was never raised to “do what you love”, she and her parents have always had a really strong and supportive relationship and she is truly grateful that they raised her with high expectations.  Ana says that if she had not been raised to demand better for herself, have a plan and stay focused, she would not have had the drive to change her life’s goals so drastically and just run with it.  She has found a career path that speaks to her heart and soul. She says her creativity makes her feel alive and her company, The Pretty Peacock features jewelry she designs that evokes emotion, conversation and allows you to think about your very being.

Lots of Good Juju!

Ana’s East Indian heritage and culture plays a large role in many of her designs.  Her pieces celebrate loved ones, special moments and the most important aspects of life that make it our own. According to Ana – “Each piece of jewelry is designed and created with great care, pride, and lots of good juju!”

Ana shared that her parents are both very creative people.  Creativity was used as an outlet, but – though it was never said – it would never have been accepted as a realistic career path.

“It is really a strange phenomenon since Indian fine arts: dance, music, etc are so revered by Indians themselves and globally, yet, I have never heard of a single Indian parent (at least those who raised their children in the States) that grooms their kids to make fine arts a career goal.  This mindset honestly comes from a place of love, so most of us do not resent our parents for being so rigid with us academically, but that is probably because we become programmed to believe that going to Harvard is the only way we are going to be successful. Had I told my parents that I wanted to major in metalsmithing in college (which never even crossed my mind); they would have accepted it with A LOT of complaint, and lengthy phone calls on what my future was going to be like.  It would not be a career path they would have been excited to tell their friends about.”

The American Dream

Let’s consider the perspective of Ana’s parents: Her father had to be in the top 1% of his class to even be considered for a job in the US. When her parents married, they left everything they ever knew to immigrate to a country that promised them everything they ever wanted if they just worked hard enough for it.  The American Dream, right?  And they got it. They had the big house in the suburbs, two cars, and a great job.  First generation immigrant parents frequently have a definition of success which in the US translates to a lot of money.  Money buys you whatever you want and that is what will make you happy.  That is the formula that her parents bought into. Ana is confident that her parents truly want her to be happy. “Our definitions of ‘happiness’ just differ and our paths to getting there are on opposite ends of the spectrum.”

So how did Ana handle the cultural conflict?

“Sadly, I was given a bit of free reign because my husband had the ‘real’ job.  My  parents knew the kids would be fed, the mortgage would be paid and that if I chose to  play around with my hobby, so be it.  BUT once The Pretty Peacock became profitable,  and my parents could do a Google search and see pages and pages of information on my growing company, then it became something more.  I think they are a little in awe of how I took this little idea and made it into a profitable business.  They know how much work   and heart goes into making it run.”

“My parents have asked me if I regret how I was raised since I didn’t use my education or put those good grades to any real use.  I explained to them how invaluable the life skills I  was taught are to me and pursuing this dream.  The experience of college that led to my  corporate career is the reason why I can multi-task like a champion.  I don’t regret a thing. And I am eternally grateful to them.”

A fascinating cultural lesson to learn about the value of recognizing what is important to us and how we define success in our own terms.

Ana’s Advice and Action Steps:

• Forget your preconceived ideas of what is ‘realistic’ and/or ‘practical’ when it comes to a career: Take time to really put thought into what these terms mean to you and come up with ideas of how to make your ‘dream career’ fit into your definition.
• Research and/or get a mentor: Make sure you understand what it really takes to do what it is you want to do.
• Surround yourself with intelligent people: My dad always said that your friends make you who you are – I never understood that sentiment until I was in my mid-twenties. Getting different perspectives, whether you view them as negative or positive, will help you gain insight.
• Get focused: It is overwhelming to embark on something new. Keep your brain from going in a million directions. Create a business plan, write down your goals, and stay organized.

“Find success in your own happiness – not just happiness in your success.”  Ana Talukder Simpson

Resources:

The Pretty Peacock www.theprettypeacock.com

ETSY  www.etsy.com

Seeking Designers  www.seekingdesigners.com