9.26.23 - I am so DISAPPOINTED
Good morning ,
I want to share a recent disappointment with you.
This past weekend I participated in a large vendor event. There were over 100 vendors and the vendor fee was $300. I wasn't planning on participating, however, I was told by a few people that this event was totally worth it and if I could get in I should do it.
So about a week before the event I decided to apply and I was accepted the next day.
I had plenty of inventory from my previous event that flopped so I just needed to purchase a few things for my space.
I bought a book shelf, a few fall decorations and I had a custom shirt made.
That morning I woke up at 6am, left at 8:10am to get to the event to set up my tables before it started at 11am. I felt extremely overwhelmed, but I was excited. On the way there I didn't pray for the Lord to allow me to make a certain amount (he knew my goal) but I prayed that he would allow me to be a blessing to someone.
"I" had a goal to make $1000 that day. I didn't run that goal by God. I just thought "hey I spent $300 to get here, I would like to make $1000". You may be thinking, "why is she telling me all this". I want you to know that I was believing for something big to happen at this event. This was going to be my most successful event yet. I just knew it.
So anyways the event starts and there are lots of people but not many people stopping at my table. After a few hours I started to feel disappointed. I thought this was supposed to be my biggest event yet. I was still hopeful. I kept praying "Lord why am I here". I did all this preparation and I wasn't seeing any return. About half way through the event I switched my entire set up around. I probably looked crazy moving everything in the middle of the event but it was time to pivot.
The business owner next to me was in a similar situation. Her and I talked throughout the event about many "business type" things and through our talks she told me about the "prayer of Jabez". I had never read it before. We will get back to that.
The new set up drew more people in. I was able to pass out more cards and samples. More people drew in more people. It was exciting to see that something had worked but I wasn't even close to making $1000.
Behind me there was another woman and she was booming. Honey she had so many people at her table. I was so excited for her. I went over to her table to check out her products and learned that she is in several boutiques and businesses across Louisville. She said she could help me get in some places. I was stunned. I told her if nothing else I was supposed to be at that event to meet her. It was at that moment I realized I wasn't there to make a whole lot of money, but maybe if I could just make half.
So I go back to my table and I said Lord, if I could just make $500 that would be fine. Ya'll ever try to negotiate with God? lol I was trying my best.
Time was passing and it was nearly 8 oclock at night. The owner next to me decided to start packing up to go home. I decided to thug it out.
I was starting to feel more and more disappointed. The event ended at 10pm and the crowd was slowing down. I felt like such a disappointment. I worked so hard and barely made more than my vendor fee.
10pm came and I packed everything up and got in my car. I just wanted to cry, so I did. I cried almost the whole way home. I cried out to God that I am so Disappointed. The whole day I told myself "these big events aren't for you". and I started to believe it.
But God. On that drive home I was crying and at the same time I was being reminded that God doesn't do things according to how we think they should be done. I was and still am disappointed at how that event turned out, but God is a redeemer. I learned so much from that event. My space is 10x better than it was when I set up that morning. I met some more amazing people. I made a connection with a woman that said she would help me and I truly believe her. I met someone from an apartment complex that asked about getting my products in gift baskets. I'll be following up with her today. I'm slowly building a customer base here in Louisville and I'm thankful for that.
I did not make $1000 or even $500 but that's okay. I'm disappointed but I'm okay.
There was a lot that came from this event that I can't see yet. I believe the big events are for me and although this particular one didn't go as planned financially, I can't quit.
After I finished crying I went to McDs to get a sundae. It was about 11:30pm but I didn't care. Hot fudge sundaes always help make you feel better. And it did.
I got my sundae and came home and talked to my husband. I'm so thankful for a husband that supports me. I went to bed shortly after midnight. It was a long day.
The next day I got up and got ready for church. I was expecting God to speak to me at church.
The pastor was talking about the greatest form of worship is obedience even when it doesn't make sense. He was talking about having faith. He even talked about the prayer of Jabez. He talked about being stuck and about God being a God of process. It was such a great service and a reminder of what God told me at the beginning of 2023.
My word for 2023 is expansion. I believed that meant expanding my reach, however, as I read the prayer of Jabez it's deeper than expanding physical territory. I'm praying that God continues to use me and this business to expand His kingdom. To bring more people into a personal relationship with him.
Even in my disappointment I have peace knowing God knows what he is doing. I was supposed to be at that event. Not to make money but for other reasons. I believe I blessed someone there. I believe God connected me with some people that can help me expand. I believe God taught me way more than $1000 worth of knowledge at that event.
So if you are disappointed I want you to know that it's okay. It's okay to cry out and tell God "Hey God!! I Am So Disappointed." He knows it. But continue to seek him and trust him. He has the craziest way of bringing his plans together.
I appreciate you being a part of my community. It's always more than skin care :)
If this email has helped you please share it with someone you know.
Love,
Danielle
naturallycreated4you.com