Heights Emporium

I’m thrilled to announce Flown The Coop will be a merchant at the Heights Emporium on March 1, 2014.  The Heights Emporium is an outdoor event in the parking lot of the Corridor Shops and More located at 238 W. 19th St. in the Houston Heights.

For the past several weeks I have had the privilege of joining a team of talented entrepreneurs who are planning the upcoming Heights Emporium.  I love the creative energy that goes into brainstorming possibilities and forgot how much I love to help organize and promote events, especially in the community I call home.

The Houston Heights is home to an amazing community of creative business owners, both in conventional and unconventional business models.  The Heights Emporium was developed to showcase a curated mix of local merchants.  Gilbert Perez, owner of the Corridor Shops and More, recognizes the growing number of merchants without walls and has graciously created an event on his premises to showcase local talent who are utilizing a variety of business models.  Sarah Rufca of the Houston Chronicle penned the current business trend in her recent article, These buzzy Houston retailers don’t need brick and mortar shops.  Kristy Keel of West 23rd. St. Vintage was highlighted in the article and is a valuable part of the team organizing and promoting the Heights Emporium.  I am honored to be included in the mix and excited for the opportunity to bring Flown The Coop to 19th Street again.

The mix of merchants is shaping up!  Stayed tuned on Facebook, Instagram (@heightsemporium) and Twitter for updates on the lineup.  Tag your posts with #HeightsEmporium so we can see the event through your eyes too!

~Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky!

 

I get knocked down… but I get up again!

Week #3 topic: What is some things you have done but previously thought you could never do? It took me several days to figure out what I would share, then it finally hit me at 4:30 this morning when I woke up singing, “I get knocked down, but I get up again” by ChumbawambaVEVO. (cool name)

I GET KNOCKED DOWN – take a second to listen.

Finding My Muse

A couple years ago I devoted a series on my personal blog, Doing Life Being Tiff, called Finding My Muse Interviews. I had just stepped back from a career as a REALTOR in Ohio and was lost. I loved real estate, but the market had tanked. In the past I had wore several hats as a volunteer and attempted a variety of direct sales companies, but my heart had always been wearing my hat as a stay at home Mom. A “job” I absolutely LOVED and knew I was meant to BE. My children were grown and had become fiercely independent as I had always hoped they would, although heartbreaking at the same time. I was searching for an occupation that embodied my passions and would excite and challenge me every morning. Thankfully, I have a completely supportive spouse who encourages me not to settle. Jeff is a wonderful cheerleader who believes in me. I had also surrounded myself with strong, successful women who love their careers. Finding My Muse interviews was an idea birthed out of a necessity to find what I should BE when I grew up. I learned that the key to their success required pressing into a passion. I longed to find my muse, something I could be passionate about.

I always knew I would own and operate my own business. As a little girl, I believed owning a business was how you became rich. Funny! The reality of owning a business is quite different from my childhood expectations. The truth is that it requires fortitude of spirit. An attribute I definitely possess. I frequently get knocked down in pursuit of the American dream.

 Fast forward.

I woke up this morning thinking of all the times I had got knocked down while testing various business ideas. My stack of business cards reminds me of all my attempts and failures at finding my muse. I always press into an idea until it is obvious that it isn’t the right fit, which usually requires a complete knock down. Insert a smile. 😉 I am so happy that I kept on getting up again. I wake up every morning with an adventure awaiting me.

{Hence my internal alarm clock waking me up at 4:30 this morning}

Flown The Coop allows me to pursue a passion for rescuing and repurposing cool junque, and gives me a platform to inspire creativity and a zest for life. I encourage you to press into your passions in spite of the inevitable knock downs. It is worth it.

I’d love to hear about how you found your muse. Leave a comment or join the conversation on the Flown The Coop Facebook Page. I love the inspiration I get from your stories.

 ~Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing YES in the sky!

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