Ch. 1

Over the last few months I feel like I have been beginning to re-find my voice. I have been praying and asking God for a fresh new vision for not only Sequins & Paper- but also in my roles as wife, mother, teacher, friend and everything else in between. I have not been silent to the fact how over the last year my business has really slowed down- and with that has come a lot of questioning and soul searching.

Like many entrepreneurs and creatives I had found myself many of times wondering if my time and place in this planner + stationery loving world was over. But every time I thought long and hard on closing my doors and looking for a source of income to help my family elsewhere- I would get a word of encouragement from you all. A response to a story, a very sweet review, or for many of you that I have grown to know and become friends you have left a sweet message of encouragement in my DMs letting me know how much something I said or did made a difference for you.

And it has reminded me why I even started this to begin with. To connect- with real human beings that I never would have the chance to meet otherwise. I have thought of all the dreams I have had as a child and as an adult:

Author.

Illustrator.

Magazine Editor.

Veterinarian.

Teacher.

Interior designer.

Professional organizer.

Event Planner.

Freelance artist…

There is so much that I want to do with my life. I (like I am sure so many of you) want my life to mean something. I want to live this life with purpose. I want to bring honor to God, I want to love my family, and even if it is just for one person- I want to make an impact and make a difference. And over the last few months I have been doing just that- I just didn’t realize it.

I may not be able to do all of those things I listed above professionally -but why can’t I start with where I am, and with what I have, and just because? I always wanted to be a Magazine Editor, so with my kits I incorporated that desire when I started them by the little Letter From The Editor that I include with them. I would love to be a professional illustrator for books or brands one day, but I love that I get to be the illustrator for my own designs and that everything I create is exclusive to my own business. I didn’t go for being a veterinarian in college like I planned in high school (I wanted acres of land and to save all the abused and abandoned animals) - but I have my two kittens that I can spoil and love with everything. I didn’t finish getting my teaching degree, but I turned that passion into serving my children and we are now a full time home-school family. I get to be the interior designer and organizer of my own home. I get to be my own event planner for my kids birthdays and our family holidays and I get to pour that passion into the Connect Group (aka home Bible Study) that we lead and find fun creative ways to make marriage and life enriching for the couples in our group.

Over the last year and a half I have had so many dreams for Sequins & Paper start to burn inside my heart. The tag line under my logo is more than just stationery - and little did I know how much that would mean to me now. I struggled with disappointment in myself for months because I felt like a failure as a shop owner because I didn’t have the resources to bring all my ideas to pass. I felt like I had to have all my ducks lined in a row and have it all done at once for it to be worth it and worth celebrating. But through loss and a year of re-learning what is important and what is my vision- I was reminded that all I have ever done is start where I am- and God has always made it enough.

So my vision and theme for 2023 going onward after navigating so much loss and change- is turn a new page. I am kicking off my 2023 line with my calendar planner card sets that are themed like a book. They will be releasing on Friday, August 19th at 8:00 am. And while I may not be a published author with a book written yet- I can start with where I am and who I am- and that is with one blog post at a time. And I will carry that same grace with me into my business and release what I can, bring new ideas to life as I am able, one page at a time. I got so caught up in the size of my steps, that I lost sight that regardless- I was still moving forward.

So here is to Chapter 1. I hope it leaves you inspired to keep going.

xo,

Nicole