Most of us get a little intimidated when life suddenly offers a new opportunity. Once we get beyond the sweet dream of what could be, reality sets in. But what if everything turned the out the way you imagined? What if your dream actually came true?
When this project came to my mind, I puzzled on how it would all work. Where would I start? What did I have to do? Who do I ask? Where do I find the right people? The “what-ifs” nearly paralyzed me.
Until I started acting on my ideas. Then a plan emerged. Each day, each task, I was less of a fish out of water. And then, one day, it occurred to me: This was actually going to happen.
I knew it was a good idea, and one I really believed in, but there were still so many unanswered questions. Over and over again I thought “I am really going to start a business in the middle of this pandemic?” When I asked the question aloud, my husband, Dan, said “Yani, just start writing. Make the calls. Investigate everything that you don’t know.”
That day I called The DR (Dominican Republic) maybe 100 times. I talked with so, so many people, groups, companies related to the coffee industry in the DR. Many promised to help, many were excited and interested in the project… and then just never showed up.
But a few did and this is where I began.
Adversity, setbacks, and disappointment were part of the process. I have to wonder if I’d be so satisfied with what has come about if they hadn’t.
I have always believed that God never shuts a door without opening a window
Two and half months ago, we started. Not that long ago. Mistakes were made. We are still learning. And every day I am thankful I jumped in to this, because I really want to swim.
And now I know one thing with certainty: To learn to swim, the only thing you have to do is believe in yourself.
Yaniris