Build Your Dreams

This season Manulife is creating a movement of gratitude and paying it forward kindness during the Christmas season. We hope that by sharing our stories (as varied as they are) of #LifeAdvice and #gratitude we can amplify the conversation and encourage more people to think of sharing these types of kind gestures over the holidays.

Life advice sometimes comes to you in funny ways, and while some of our stories may seem a little strange, they all contain advice that we feel strongly about. BLUNTmoms is here to show that even on a bad day, there is something good that can occur, and that simple things sometimes make the biggest impact in your life

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This was a ‘quote of wisdom’ my father bestowed upon me at the ripe ol’ age of sixteen. Sure, at the time, ‘building my dream’ was the last thing on my teenage mind. Boys were first on the list, a 1996 cherry red Mustang was second, and third was likely the next time I’d be able to hit up Cinnabon at the shopping mall.

 

However, as I aged, I slowly understood what that little saying meant. It wound up being something that would stick with me for the remainder of my life during both the trials and triumphs.That piece of advice would also ruffle my feathers when I’d see all my efforts stonewalled. However, I’d also look think of his words fondly when I succeeded in any way. 

 

Succeed in life; that’s exactly what that fatherly advice pushed me to do. We all want to succeed, especially at life.

 

Like most, I had many jobs over the years. After making snow cones at the Snow Cone Hut, I was quite certain that I didn’t want to work in the snow cone industry, nor ever have someone to ‘report to.’ I envied the people I’d watched in my childhood who made their own paths, who went to the beat of their own drum. I thought often of that advice my father embedded in my brain during my formative years.

 

The snow cone job solidified that I was not someone who was meant to take the ‘safe’ path. While being critiqued on my ‘lopsided snow cones,’ I realized I was going to be one of those risk-takers. I was going to be that someone who went after what she wanted. I finished out my education and decided I wanted to be my own boss.

 

Seeing I didn’t have professional experience in, well, anything, I stuck with what I knew best, persuading people. No, I didn’t become a lawyer. Even better, I became a saleswoman! That’s right, the best talkers and persuaders usually make the best lawyers or sales people.

 

A business opportunity presented itself in California and the timing was perfect. I was near complete with my education and felt it was a sign that this was the path I was supposed to pave.

 

My father owned a similar operation in Arizona and was quite convincing that this was the perfect fit for someone who wasn’t too keen on taking the safe route. After about five minutes of ‘business plan breakdown’ and offering to join us for the first year to get the ball rolling, I decided to dive right on into the entrepreneurial pool. 

 

I was on board and furthermore, so was my man.

 

The three of us packed up and headed out in a U-HAUL to San Diego and started a small business in 2005. I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into and let me tell you, at first, it was really rough.

 

Once you start out in anything new, you quickly learn that it takes a hell of a lot of patience, time, and perseverance to continue trekking down that path. It’s hard work, however, I kept that piece of advice in my brain. I don’t want to build someone else’s dream, I don’t want to build someone else’s dream! 

 

Many days were exciting and some had moments that made me want to hop back in the U-HAUL and head back home. However, I kept at it. I kept that saying in the back of my head, taped to my fridge; I’m surprised I didn’t have it tattooed to my body. It was something that kept me going, it was the one thing that kept me encouraged.

 

2005 is now nearly 10 years come and gone. I sit here today and manage our small operation and I can tell you, without a doubt, I have absolutely no regrets. I love and respect my father for branding that advice into my brain. 

 

Building anything from the bottom, you are often met with far more closed doors than open ones. However, these experiences build tenacity, resiliency, and character. 

 

I could have easily went back and ran the Snow Cone Hut and likely became one of those snow-cone-making masters, but I chose the path of less desired. I went left when most turned right.

 

The aforementioned is largely because of my father. He pushed me in a way that only he knew how. He wanted me to be met with closed doors, he wanted me to stumble only to get back up again, he wanted me to falter as he had so many times so I could feel the joy you are met with when those endless fails are finally greeted with success.

 

His fatherly advice with that saying provided me with an abundance of growth. I not only grew financially, I grew up. That piece of advice, it made me a woman. I built my dream.

 

I’m grateful to my father for pushing me to forgo the path of least resistance and rather, create my own journey. Essentially, that’s exactly what this has been, a journey. His advice ended up not only being business related, it extended to life too. I’m in my thirties and I can proudly say that I am still willing to brave the unknown. When you’ve traveled to ultimate highs and lows, not much intimidates you anymore, well, nothing except when it involves snow cones.