Before starting my bookbinding business in 2018, I was involved in creating upcycled fashion bags and trying to establish a brand. The idea was inspired by the fast fashion culture of our generation, where it has become so easy to buy new clothes at low prices, leading us to discard perfectly good garments faster than ever. By transforming these discarded clothes into unique, functional bags, my goal was to reduce waste heading to landfills, minimize pollution, and encourage more sustainable consumption.
Although I didn’t continue down that path, the experience taught me valuable lessons. The project didn’t work out for various reasons, but I believe that with enough dedication, anyone could turn a similar idea into a success.
This reflection made me think about how challenging it can be to start something new. It reminded me of the early days of my bookbinding journey. Getting started required tremendous effort, and there were days when I couldn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. Living in the high country area added another layer of difficulty, as finding customers felt almost impossible. But over time, I discovered ways to connect with clients no matter where they were in the world.
I’ve encountered both the joy of building a business and the difficulties of nurturing a new idea. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that borrowing strength from past experiences can give us the resilience to overcome present challenges.
When I was 15 years old, my mathematics skills were so poor that I felt completely hopeless about ever improving. I could barely solve even the simplest problems, and every test felt like an insurmountable obstacle. I remember sitting in class, overwhelmed and convinced I would never catch up to my peers. Yet, with hard work and the support of a quality after-school program, I not only improved but eventually became the top mathematics student in my class. That experience left me with three key lessons:
The power of persistence.
No matter where we come from, we can make significant progress through effort and determination.
The transformative value of quality education.
During my business journey, this mathematics experience became my anchor. When I faced setbacks, frustration, and even tears, I drew on that memory to remind myself that perseverance could lead to progress. From having no customers to building a steady client base and eventually reaching a point where I had a waiting list, the journey was long but incredibly rewarding.
This story is a testament to never giving up on something you truly care about, even when it feels impossible. By borrowing strength from positive past experiences, you can find the resilience to navigate life’s toughest moments. The more we build on our positive experiences, the more confidence we have to face future challenges.
If you are facing a big challenge right now, I encourage you to recall a moment in the past when you navigated through the toughest challenge of your life. Write it down and place it somewhere visible to remind yourself every day: You can do this!
Picture: News article from my early bookbinding journey.
For more insights on how to get life unstuck, visit my website: www.ccwithin.com
#PersistencePaysOff #SmallBusinessJourney #BookbindingArt #SustainableLiving #Entrepreneurship #PositiveMindset #OvercomingChallenges #NeverGiveUp #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessInspiration #StartupJourney #SmallBizLove #WomenEntrepreneurs #LeadershipMindset #BusinessGrowth #CreativeEntrepreneurs #SuccessMindset #ccwithin #chichiwangofficial #chichiwang
