Who Are You?

 

The Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice. 

`Who are YOU?' said the Caterpillar. 

This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. 

Alice replied, rather shyly, `I--I hardly know, sir, just at present-- at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.' 

`What do you mean by that?' said the Caterpillar sternly. `Explain yourself!'

 

`I can't explain MYSELF, I'm afraid, sir' said Alice, `because I'm not myself, you see.'

`I don't see,' said the Caterpillar. 

`I'm afraid I can't put it more clearly,' Alice replied very politely, `for I can't understand it myself to begin with; and being so many different sizes in a day is very confusing.' 

'It isn't,' said the Caterpillar. 

`Well, perhaps you haven't found it so yet,' said Alice; `but when you have to turn into a chrysalis--you will some day, you know--and then after that into a butterfly, I should think you'll feel it a little queer, won't you?' 

`Not a bit,' said the Caterpillar. 

`Well, perhaps your feelings may be different,' said Alice; `all I know is, it would feel very queer to ME.' 

`You!' said the Caterpillar contemptuously. `Who are YOU?' 

Which brought them back again to the beginning of the conversation. Alice felt a little irritated at the Caterpillar's making such VERY short remarks, and she drew herself up and said, very gravely, `I think, you out to tell me who YOU are, first.' 

`Why?' said the Caterpillar. 

Here was another puzzling question; and as Alice could not think of any good reason, and as the Caterpillar seemed to be in a VERY unpleasant state of mind, she turned away. 

`Come back!' the Caterpillar called after her. `I've something important to say!' 

This sounded promising, certainly: Alice turned and came back again. 

`Keep your temper,' said the Caterpillar. 

`Is that all?' said Alice, swallowing down her anger as well as she could. 

`No,' said the Caterpillar. 

Alice thought she might as well wait, as she had nothing else to do, and perhaps after all it might tell her something worth hearing. 

For some minutes it puffed away without speaking, but at last it unfolded its arms, took the hookah out of its mouth again, and said, `So you think you're changed, do you?' 

`I'm afraid I am, sir,' said Alice; `I can't remember things as I used--and I don't keep the same size for ten minutes together!' 

`Can't remember WHAT things?' said the Caterpillar. 

http://www.cs.indiana.edu/metastuff/wonder/ch5.html

 

Since the beginning of my career (when I introduced myself as a member of the floral industry), the most popular response has been “what do you do with that/ do you want to open up your own business”. My answer was always frustration at having such a confusing profession and an emphatic NO! My dad shared the craftsman/ entrepreneur qualities I possess. He owned his own business and managed another retail store for many, many years. He was always tired, cranky, and at the mercy of customers and owners. My first mentor in the floral/design industry worked until his death fighting floods, drug addicted employees, changing economic climate, demanding customers, and struggled to pay the bills- AFTER being in the business 50+ years. I wanted nothing to do with it. My mother frequently tried to talk me out of it. (She was a good, stable high school math teacher.)

I worked my way through corporate jobs- full time and part time- before coming to the conclusion that money was not my main motivator in life. I THRIVED on struggle. I thrived on creativity and new ideas. I was always working to near collapse on countless projects. 

My ancestors all were hardworking, poor people who loved their community and believed in more than themselves. We were farmers, librarians, steelworkers, metalsmiths, woodworkers, teachers, doctors, engineers, and business owners. Those values were ingrained in my DNA long before I knew it. I had always been crafty and a fantastic problem solver.

I mastered my first blow torch when I was 12 and would sit in my dad’s workshop collecting little scraps of gold and metals to solder together. I was fascinated with handmade molds and the possibilities. My 3^rd grade artwork hung proudly in his showroom- much to my embarrassment. I wrote poetry and short stories. I dreamed of being a published author. I kept that dream well into high school before deciding I would NOT be working for the Chicago Tribune. I collected donations in a cartoon dog bank for the Human Society. I plastered the bulletin boards at school with PETA posters. I started a neighborhood club at the age of 10. We had professionally pressed shirts and a custom gold ring. We fought all the time over governance of said society. I was wireframing my first website for the music entertainment industry at the good age of 13 (long before I knew it was called wireframing).

Since I didn’t think any of those things were unusual, it didn’t dawn on me that I had a talent for them. I did what I did as therapy and because they were easy and freely available. It wasn’t until recently that those around me clarified that I was obviously a special case and should share those things with the world. (I will humbly disagree every step of the way. But I can no longer refute the love and excitement that pour out me into what I do behind the scenes.) 

Not too long ago I was a bridesmaid in my only brother’s wedding. Two of his childhood friends were there that I hadn’t seen in about ten years (since their wedding in Franklin). The thing they asked me about? Whether or not I was still crafting. I had no recollection of what I did, but they remembered every card I made. They encouraged me that I should continue with it because I "was good at it". That conversation made no sense until I stopped and reflected on the previous ten years. I gotcha God. I see where this is going. I am terrified. But I am more than excited.  What that conversation actually said was that people remembered everything I had done, even when I had moved on, because it made them feel special.

That's what I want to do with my life- listen and make people feel special. The best days I have at my retail job is when I’m making people feel valued- those extra, special people that come along that you can bless. (That’s not to say everyone that walks through the doors is a winner. I’ll be painfully honest in the fact that, as much leadership training I have had, as much as I know the right thing to do, I will not always do it. I’m human. I believe grace and mercy are something I need constantly.)

So in answer to the first question, YES I am a proud entrepreneur and business owner. In regards to my life, I am focused on being a happy, loving, and fanciful friend, daughter, sister, and partner and believe in making a difference, however small or large, to those around me. I am an INFJ (Idealist Counselor). I am also a student again and speeding my way through the Master's of Business Administration program at Lipscomb University, here in Nashville. Since they didn't offer marketing, I am focusing on Non-Profit Management and establishing the non-profit I helped start in 2012, Gypsy's Ghost

Professionally, I am using my 9 years in horticulture and floral management; 15 years of artisan trade and music; 7 years in retail operations, trend forecasting, product merchandising, event design, and customer service; and 4 years of marketing and internet promotions for consumer products to:

• Launch a design/event business
• Advocate sustainable living and services for “life in transit"
• Write a book and blog on laying the foundation
• Incorporate a non-profit to channel funds from the social enterprise and launch new programs in Nashville in the areas of creative reuse, addiction, homelessness, and music & arts 
•  Develop a community center and “hospitality house”

Pardon the mess

While we celebrate 10 years of service and gear up for 2014- the launch of our retail site, new products, and securing the go-ahead from the government. :)

More information will be officially released in the next few months. If you would like more information about me, our goals, and how you can help, email connectcopechange@gmail.com. I’ll be setting up a newsletter subscription shortly. (Post Office box still on the To-Do list)

Love you guys and thanks for the early support!

Sarah Smith (aka Gypsy Jane)

Founder of Gypsy’s Ghost/ Owner of Souhos: [Southern+Hospitality] 

Proof I was wireframing at 13 ;) Snapshot from other blog posts I never wrote

P.S. I know I confuse you all with my blogging. This one was yet another early attempt at my project. I just found it again- after creating the other ones. On the agenda for spring/summer 2014 is building a new web home for all the info and products coming up. I want to get the branding just right which is why it is taking so long. I'm a perfectionist and careful planner behind the chaotic exterior. Still trying to figure out the best way to reach all you out there tuning in.