My One Year Business Anniversary - and the Day I Started Using My Montblanc Pen
Whether you’ve just started a business or are thinking about starting one, having some tangible goals and taking pride in the things you use to get you there is essential.
For this blog post in video form, please head to my YouTube channel or check the bottom of this post.
It’s no secret that I love designer items, from handbags to jewelry. I treat my items with great respect and give them a special place in my home. I also buy quality over quantity to keep my life simple and decluttered.
Whether you’ve just started a business or are thinking about starting one, having some tangible goals and taking pride in the things you use to get you there is essential.
I want to share a story with you.
In 2007, I received a beautiful Montblanc pen as a present from an ex-boyfriend at my MBA graduation (I have to admit, he did have great taste). It is a special-edition Greta Garbo made from black and cream-coloured resin with a precious akoya pearl adorning the clip and the cap.
The thing is, I didn’t use this pen until the first day I officially started Organized Jane in May 2018. For almost ten years, it sat in my drawers and closet, moving with me around the world. I thought I would be seen as pretentious for using it until I moved to Zurich, Switzerland, where everyone used a Montblanc or equally fine pen.
When I started Organized Jane, I was confronted with all my fears. Marketing myself, refining my brand, and taking my passion seriously led me to realize that I’d been living my life playing small. The day I started using my Montblanc pen was also the day I decided to hire coaches and align myself with my goals, dreams, and the person I am becoming.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I ended up with the Greta Garbo pen, either. Greta Garbo was Swedish-born and of humble origins, and her self-confidence and radiance led her to become a female icon who had a significant impact on fashions and zeitgeist. The Garbo legend inspires me to resolutely go my own way, with confidence.
Here are my business tips, no matter what pen you’re using:
Never de-value your passion.
You are more capable than you know.
You are bigger than your self-doubt.
You can achieve anything if you are consistent and committed.
Your tribe is integral to your success.
You're doing just fine - don't be so hard on yourself!
Next week, I’ll be sharing my top tips for getting approached by a publisher.
