The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
I think there is usually truth (whether a little or a lot) to imposter syndrome.
I haven’t built a business before.
I know a mere fraction of all there is to know about connection, relationships and encouragement.
I don’t want to fail the artists through the slow growth of early years and business learning.
However, while I don’t subscribe to the ‘fake it till you make it’ mantra, I do believe in ‘care until you dare’.
I really care about what Wildergeese stands for: Real, courageous relationships. Clearing our minds and improving our capacity so we have space to remember each other and reach out in the good times and the bad. The intentional cultivation of true connection through thoughtful words and deeds.
The list of practical challenges has been long: How to manage inventory. How to sell when you’re not a natural ‘seller’. How to test business ideas, convey value, balance a P&L, choose what tasks need to be done and which don’t. So many things to problem solve.
However, particularly since investing into the educational arm of Wildergeese and starting to research intentionally to develop my own subject literacy, the dream has strengthened.
The core Wildergeese value of helping people achieve real, life-changing connection in both the small and significant moments is what drives me to continue to create, reflect, recalibrate, and persevere.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Cons: Not knowing how to run your own business.
Pros: Learning how to run your own business!
More seriously, I have been deeply enriched by my research into connection and encouragement through and by working with the illustrators. Meeting these wonderful people, hearing their stories, and collaborating on truly delightful products is the beating heart of how Wildergeese functions and has brought such light to my life.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
The dream is to reach and support busy encouragers.
We’re expanding our library of card designs, with three new illustrators and three new collections soon to reach the Wildergeese catalogue. We’re also leaning into our educational and encouragement resources to support meaningful connection-driven communication, including the ‘draft a little REAL’ Planner, quick-reference sheets such as our ‘Cards for Kids’ resource, and more substantial projects like the (coming soon) ‘Snail Mail Connection Planner’.
It’s early days yet. Wildergeese is just a fledgling. But we’d love you along for the journey.
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– Cover Image: Sunrise Hope Card by Heidi Stephenson
– Image 1: Cassandra Minett
– Image 2: Storytime Friends Card by Sandra Herrgott
– Image 3: Family Collection by Simone Gooding
– Image 4: Your Day of Joy Card by Rachel Jackson
Head to the Wildergeese website to find out more. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest.
