01/14/2019
Faithful client & longtime friend - Thankful to collaborate and support such amazing small businesses! Blog post coming soon of this full family session!
LONG POST ALERT! ... Feeling super grateful today as I think about the day that I started this business. About five years ago I emptied my 401K with about a thousand bucks to start Sound Smith. I. Was. Terrified. I began my journey in product development with guitar capos. We didn't have a website yet; we just sold through Amazon. My thoughts were that I could very easily loose it all, which at the time seemed huge. My first son was also about six months old at the time. What drove me to pursue this was that I truly believed that maybe this could be the start of something great. Maybe it will give me the freedom to be more present with my husband and kids. Maybe I could have a job that is aligned with my passion for music. I am so thankful for that, as I know its rare. I felt compelled to pursue on...
Guitar capos were the only product we carried for about two and a half years; then we gradually added more accessories. About two years ago we added ukuleles, and from there it has gotten really fun. A local luthier here in Bend, Larry Spotten (Original Guitar Medic - Bend, OR) agreed to collaborate with us and he has been a God-send as well as valued mentor. His expertise and advise has pushed us to the next level. When I have been uncertain about right decisions and "good" risks, he is always there to tell me its going to just blow up (in a good way)!
This journey has been wild and scary, in terms of our finances and time sacrificed to build this baby. My family has hung in there like champions as I have risked more and more as we go along. My husband has been there every step of the way with his business expertise and support. "Do it! Go for it!" Is what I hear all around me. He has such great business wisdom and creative ideas, which I couldn't do without and is the best business partner I could ask for (oh and he's super cute 😉). I also want to thank my very good and very big God, as nothing is impossible for Him and with Him!! I hope and pray you have the community around you that supports you in your dreams and helps you to press on even when things get sticky and challenging. I enjoy an element of the unknown, it drives me; but if I was on my own with this, I don't know if I would have had the guts to see the growth we have seen. Surround yourself with positive people who spark your dreams; it makes all the difference! My family thanks this community, and we are excited to continue this journey together with you! 🙂 -photo cred Scarlet Lily Photography
