On Failure, Success and Moving Forward

Everyone fails sometimes. Today I want to share a personal story that I've never shared before. I hope that it encourages some of you to keep dreaming, even in the hard times...

Not too long ago I spent a year developing a line of toys intended for mainstream retail. I poured my heart into these dolls and spent months researching everything from doll fashion and accessories, their functionality, their roles in the marketplace, etc. Pretty much everything you could ever learn about dolls. If you ever want to sit down with someone and have an hour long conversation about the history of fashion dolls—I'm your girl! I designed my own collection, spent thousands of dollars of my own money to get prototypes made, develop clothing, a children's book and tons of accessories and add-ons for them. It was an incredibly fun experience. I learned so much and really fell in love with the idea of designing children's products. We did photo shoots and presentations, all without ever speaking a word of it on this blog. You're probably wondering why I didn't share about them. I just felt that I wanted to wait until I knew they would definitely be produced before I shared them; I didn't want to get my reader's hopes up. I also knew I wasn't allowed to share photos due to all the non-disclosure agreements with the company that looked at my toys. So for months I quietly kept this exciting secret, hoping for the best....

With the help of a kind friend I was able to book a meeting with a major toy company. I've had some experience with product development in my career, but nothing like this. The toy industry is set up completely different than the craft industry... I felt I was learning new things every single day. It was so exciting! Jeremy and I traveled across the country to pitch the collection. Sharing them in our meeting was one of the most nerve wracking experiences of my life. I was so nervous because I had my heart set on this company as a home for my toys. The collection was very well received with tons of questions and compliments. They kept my prototypes at the offices and we traveled home and waited... and waited. A month or two later I got the news that my collection wasn't picked up. They told me that it was one of the final choices, but not the right fit for that year. I cried... a lot. I promised myself that I wouldn't give up, that I would find another company and create an even stronger presentation for the next time. It was so hard to be soooo close to my dream only to have it cut short. I learned a lot through this failed dream. I promised myself that with my next adventure I would enjoy the process more and be less focused on the end result. My heart was broken but I became more humble and more determined to keep going!

I decided to take a short break. I decided to try another (just-for-fun) dream. I designed a collection of dresses (pictured below).... this dream was a side project that took off in ways I didn't expect. It was extremely successful and turned into something that I want to do more and more in the future! I think that a big part of my story that is encouraging is that this adventure came as a result of a major rejection. Instead of giving up and letting the sadness take over I chose to move forward and try something else, just to help ease the pain. What started off as a "rebound" type project turned into something that I really loved and enjoyed. The forward motion carried me to a new creative place... I love that!

Now, I can proudly say that I've I learned from my failure and used it to move forward. Every success story in the world is sprinkled with rejection, challenges and even sometimes failures. Don't let these things stop you. Keep moving forward, trying new things and developing your creative skills. Thanks for listening to my story. I know that sometimes this blog can fool people into believing that I don't have hard times. The truth is that we're all human and we're all working through the same obstacles each and every day. Love you... Elsie

Note: I'm so sorry I am not sharing photos of my toy designs at this time. I still intend to develop them in the future and so I need to keep them private for now.... maybe someday you'll see them in stores... Who knows?

Comments

[Amy C.]

Thank you, Elsie, for sharing your story and for giving words of encouragement. I really needed to read this. I am a recent graduate and am looking for jobs and having no luck. Countless cover letters and multiple revisions of resumes later, I'm still trying to keep my head and hopes up for someone to hire me.

Thank you, again.

[Lindsay]

I miss your personal posts. I think this one was real + inspiring :) I'm sure we will see your toys one day!

[Aleksandra]

This was so honest, and so simply and well said! Needless to say that the dress collection is more than wonderful. How we use the crisis depends on us - whether we`ll use it to get up, or to moan and to stand at one place for a long time. I support you not giving up from the toys. Analyze yourself more, and the company, the market. Maybe u`ll find what you could improve..

Aleksandra

http://theproject6x6.blogspot.com/

[rory]

you are so inspiring elsie :) I hope one day you really do make it--and my kids will be playing with those dolls! :)
Rory
http://www.wearaboutsblog.com/

[Mary Beth]

elsie,

what great timing for this post. i've been crying most of the day and am currently struggling through a job application. it's so encouraging to hear about other people's hard work and disappointments (and well as their successes).

thanks :)

[Alexandra]

You are awesome! Keep creating, you inspire me :)!

[Natalie Webb]

Thank you so much for sharing this story. Sometimes we never even get started for fear of failing.

Maybe the thing to take away is that there is no "failure." Every bit of it is learning, and part of the creative process.

Always so inspiring. Thanks Elsie!

[Kiri]

Thanks for this post, Elsie. I'm a bit sad at the moment because I just got turned down for a job I really wanted. I'm trying to be positive about things and stories like this really help. Everyone needs to remember that good things do happen!

[Elyse (Give Me Bows)]

Such an inspiring post, thank you so much for sharing. I can always count on your blog for a jolt of positivity first thing in the morning with my coffee to put me in the right frame of mind for the day :)

[Stela]

Thank you for sharing your story! I love how positive you are! It's truly inspiring!

[Kate]

It must have been heartbreaking to have gotten a no at the final hurdle, but I'm so glad that from then on Red Velvet has become so successful and that things are more positive for you. This is such an inspiring post, thank you!

[Amy Powell]

thank you so much for sharing! it's hard jumping into something you really want to do... and it's nice to see even in failure it's not over.

good luck! hope to one day buy a doll from your collection!

[shannon]

Inspiring story. I hope your dolls do get produced someday. I'd love to see them!

http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com

[Laura]

Wow! Could this article have come at a better time! For some reason I am feeling the need to surrender control and let my success be guided rather than pushed.

[Christen DeGonzague]

That's such a great post! Thanks SO much for sharing. I really enjoyed it and really needed that...

[Alison Marra]

Fabulous post, Elsie. Fabulous. You asked recently what aspects of the blog we readers would like to see more of, and this post made me realize my answer: I totally dig the beautiful, inspiring DIYs here, but actually my favorite part of this blog is your behind-the-scenes, Big Dreams process stuff. Getting to see the gears underneath that turn all the loveliness you show us here. You know? Like this post. Always SO inspiring.
xoxo, Alison
findtruenorth.typepad.com
P.S. I also really hope your dolls get produced at some point soon. Even without having seen them - given your style and attention to detail - I just know my little girls would LOVE them. <3

[Mariana]

This really is an inspiring story! Thanks.
And I hope someday we'll see your toys in stores...

[Jillian]

You're a courageous woman and truly an inspiration. I love the dresses! Good luck with future endeavors :)

~Jillian

[tina]

Thank you so much for sharing your story!

[alice]

Elsie, you're a true inspiration in every sense of the word. It's so great to read an honest story about failure and success. It really does seem like your life is perfect but I know everyone has setbacks and failures and I appreciate reading about yours. All the best in the future. I'm sure more good things are coming!