Hookahs, Babies and One Crazy Author
The house is full of shabby-chic decor – the giant Japanese fan above the entryway, the old-style-new-age paper-paintings on the wall, the mismatched-but-definitely-part-of-a-set glasses – and full of people who have a sense of fashion that can only be described as ‘trendsetting.’ It’s definitely an old house, but it’s really quite charming.
The people are incredibly friendly. Everyone’s got a ready grin and extra beer, if you want it.
A baby is passed around when it’s not breast-feeding, and clothing is brought in big bags to be displayed, explained and traded. I’m invited to show off some of the wares, and I do my best to make up stories behind the various dresses, skirts and hats that are in the pile next to my seat on the couch. If I were to try them on to show them off, it wouldn’t have been out of place.
Fast-forward a few hours later and I’m out on the front porch with a handful of new friends. The hookah is grape-flavored and the conversation is light. The owner of the house gives us a rendition of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ in English, then Dutch, then German (it’s HILARIOUS in German).
‘So what do you do, Colin?’
Funny, the question hadn’t come up until that moment…a far cry from the usual business-focused conversations I’ve been having so much these days.
‘Well, I’ve been focusing a lot of writing recently. Working on stuff for my blog, putting together ebooks, and setting up a new e-publishing business model. This allows me to travel, make new connections, etc. It’s really pretty varied.’
The conversation picks up, people tell some travel stories, the typical response to that line of questioning.
But then I’m struck with a realization: I didn’t even mention that I run a branding studio. The business that has been my main source of income for the past several years didn’t even come to mind. When knocked out of the familiar business-conversation-atmosphere, I was forced to acknowledge that my attention has been refocused. My priorities changed.
I haven’t taken on any new branding clients since I’ve been in New Zealand. I’ve finished projects for existing clients, and made sure to follow through with any old commitments that were in place, but I’ve been actively avoiding taking on new work.
At first it was a practicality issue. The Internet is super-slow and expensive, and the time difference between New Zealand and the States is large enough to make doing the kind of work I’ve become accustomed to more difficult than I would like.
As I got used to the idea of creating my own products, focusing more on Exile Lifestyle and my writing, though, I realized that it’s something I wanted to make a bigger focus in my life.
And looking back at the past several months, I have. I released my first premium ebook last month (and it’s been doing well enough to make me optimistic that writing ebooks is a solid business decision) and I’ve been putting together a new e-publishing business model that was soft-launched yesterday, and I’m super-excited about it.
I’ll always be a designer, a marketer, and all the other things that going into branding, and I’ll continue to take on clients very selectively, but my focus has definitely shifted.
It’s an exciting, risky, and slightly crazy proposition, but what’s the worst that could happen?
Let’s get down to business.
You're remarkable ;) I'm sure that people have told you this before, but you are the essence of Seth Godin's idea of a linchpin. I don't know if his work has been instrumental in your journey or not, but whether your path towards being a linchpin was intentional or intuitive, you are the epitome of what he says we should aspire to be. Several Seth Godin quotes from his Brazen Careerist webinar reminded me of you: http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2010/04/29/tweets-...
You're remarkable ;) I'm sure that people have told you this before, but you are the essence of Seth Godin's idea of a linchpin. I don't know if his work has been instrumental in your journey or not, but whether your path towards being a linchpin was intentional or intuitive, you are the epitome of what he says we should aspire to be. Several Seth Godin quotes from his Brazen Careerist webinar reminded me of you: http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2010/04/29/tweets-...
yeah! I think any new business idea is slightly crazy, eh? Taking that plunge can really feel insane. It's a nice feeling. :D
Best of luck with ebookling, I'm sure it'll work out better than you expected.
Those that haven't checked out Colin's new ebook publish venture definitely should. It is well worth a look.
I saw your soft-launch. Sweet stuff man - I know you're going to roll out some killer stuff.
As a fan of this blog, this is great news :)
Best of luck to ebookling—a fantastic idea. I love how you have designed it. Great color scheme. I love finding little details in the design that speak 'colinismyname'. Such as the image rollovers and navigation bar.
yeah! I think any new business idea is slightly crazy, eh? Taking that plunge can really feel insane. It's a nice feeling. :D
Best of luck with ebookling, I'm sure it'll work out better than you expected.
I have made a similar realization related to my architecural design work.
I look forward to see what ebookling will bring, and I hope one day that my ebook(s) will be available for purchase there :)
It's always crazy to see how we evolve - in your case, how something that's such a big part of you can seemingly evaporate in an instant because of your circumstances.
Those that haven't checked out Colin's new ebook publish venture definitely should. It is well worth a look.
"It’s an exciting, risky, and slightly crazy proposition, but what’s the worst that could happen?"
No no no! What's the best that could happen? ;)
Good luck!
I saw your soft-launch. Sweet stuff man - I know you're going to roll out some killer stuff.
As a fan of this blog, this is great news :)
Best of luck to ebookling—a fantastic idea. I love how you have designed it. Great color scheme. I love finding little details in the design that speak 'colinismyname'. Such as the image rollovers and navigation bar.
What Joel said. :)
It's exciting to see the evolution of Colin =)
It's been great to watch things progress to the point where you are now in terms of business and making money.
Ebookling is very cool, man. A very creative idea. I don't think I've ever seen people selling ebooks in a store type of site like that.
I have made a similar realization related to my architecural design work.
I look forward to see what ebookling will bring, and I hope one day that my ebook(s) will be available for purchase there :)
It's always crazy to see how we evolve - in your case, how something that's such a big part of you can seemingly evaporate in an instant because of your circumstances.
"It’s an exciting, risky, and slightly crazy proposition, but what’s the worst that could happen?"
No no no! What's the best that could happen? ;)
Good luck!
What Joel said. :)
It's exciting to see the evolution of Colin =)
It's been great to watch things progress to the point where you are now in terms of business and making money.
Ebookling is very cool, man. A very creative idea. I don't think I've ever seen people selling ebooks in a store type of site like that.
Nate says: It’s been great to watch things progress to the point where you are now in terms of business and making money.
Ebookling is very cool, man. A very creative idea. I don’t think I’ve ever seen people selling ebooks in a store type of site like that.
It’s been great to watch things progress to the point where you are now in terms of business and making money.
Ebookling is very cool, man. A very creative idea. I don’t think I’ve ever seen people selling ebooks in a store type of site like that.
“It’s an exciting, risky, and slightly crazy proposition, but what’s the worst that could happen?”
No no no! What’s the best that could happen? ;)
Good luck!
“It’s an exciting, risky, and slightly crazy proposition, but what’s the worst that could happen?”
No no no! What’s the best that could happen? ;)
Good luck!
I look forward to see what ebookling will bring, and I hope one day that my ebook(s) will be available for purchase there :)
It’s always crazy to see how we evolve – in your case, how something that’s such a big part of you can seemingly evaporate in an instant because of your circumstances.
I look forward to see what ebookling will bring, and I hope one day that my ebook(s) will be available for purchase there :)
It’s always crazy to see how we evolve – in your case, how something that’s such a big part of you can seemingly evaporate in an instant because of your circumstances.
As a fan of this blog, this is great news :)
Best of luck to ebookling—a fantastic idea. I love how you have designed it. Great color scheme. I love finding little details in the design that speak ‘colinismyname’. Such as the image rollovers and navigation bar.
As a fan of this blog, this is great news :)
Best of luck to ebookling—a fantastic idea. I love how you have designed it. Great color scheme. I love finding little details in the design that speak ‘colinismyname’. Such as the image rollovers and navigation bar.
I saw your soft-launch. Sweet stuff man – I know you’re going to roll out some killer stuff.
I saw your soft-launch. Sweet stuff man – I know you’re going to roll out some killer stuff.
Those that haven’t checked out Colin’s new ebook publish venture definitely should. It is well worth a look.
Those that haven’t checked out Colin’s new ebook publish venture definitely should. It is well worth a look.
Best of luck with ebookling, I’m sure it’ll work out better than you expected.
Best of luck with ebookling, I’m sure it’ll work out better than you expected.
yeah! I think any new business idea is slightly crazy, eh? Taking that plunge can really feel insane. It’s a nice feeling. :D
yeah! I think any new business idea is slightly crazy, eh? Taking that plunge can really feel insane. It’s a nice feeling. :D
Mneiae says: You’re remarkable ;) I’m sure that people have told you this before, but you are the essence of Seth Godin’s idea of a linchpin. I don’t know if his work has been instrumental in your journey or not, but whether your path towards being a linchpin was intentional or intuitive, you are the epitome of what he says we should aspire to be. Several Seth Godin quotes from his Brazen Careerist webinar reminded me of you: http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2010/04/29/tweets-takeaways-lessons-from-the-seth-godin-webinar/
Mneiae says: You’re remarkable ;) I’m sure that people have told you this before, but you are the essence of Seth Godin’s idea of a linchpin. I don’t know if his work has been instrumental in your journey or not, but whether your path towards being a linchpin was intentional or intuitive, you are the epitome of what he says we should aspire to be. Several Seth Godin quotes from his Brazen Careerist webinar reminded me of you: http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2010/04/29/tweets-takeaways-lessons-from-the-seth-godin-webinar/
Mens suits says: Hookahs
Hi colin i read your article about your studio and your way to do business…one thing which is very good that you are using e-booking,in todays world e-shopping becoming great factor to promote any business..i wish u good luck…
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Hookahs
Hi colin i read your article about your studio and your way to do business...one thing which is very good that you are using e-booking,in todays world e-shopping becoming great factor to promote any business..i wish u good luck...
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