UPDATE ON THE NON PROFIT

Over a year ago, I was to start a nonprofit. We'd separate our mission-driven costs from our product costs. Imagine if outreach and job skill training was funded by donors. Grants could cover this expense instead of our sales. Then later when the business profits are overflowing, we can give back to the non-profit initiatives.

HOW IT'S BEEN GOING

Not according to plan.

Running a non-profit is not a passive operation. First the formation, then fundraising, and finally, building out the projects with the funds. I cannot do that when I'm working 60 hours per week on the business side of Elegantees.

I read an older journal entry before I sat down to write this. In that, I was confident I'd be doing the nonprofit soon because people were joining the team. I assumed I'd have more time to work on the nonprofit because my staff would save me time. Looking back, it took more time trying to train and motivate others.
Most of the time people weren't committed enough and left. For some, it was because I didn't offer enough money. Sometimes what I needed most was not what they wanted to do.
One thing that defeated me was having to work when I didn't really want to. Too often, I was steaming garments at 7pm when I would rather catch a football with my son. You know a lot of product-based businesses have been struggling with revenue. I have not had much of a budget to attract people to help me.
It became exhausting, and joy wasn't in my heart anymore.

BUT, PRAYER

Y'all have been praying for me. For my birthday this week, I got a lot of messages spoken over me for a new year of joy. God keeps sending me people to remind me how important it is to seek joy! 

Being robbed of joy makes me ineffective in helping survivors find true freedom. If I'm a disheartened leader here to provide sewing work, it's not as good as it sounds. Truly, if I could give the sisters only joy or only a job, the joy would be better. Hopefully I can give both! So I started to pray for it also.

Then one by one, women showed up in my corner! They are exceedingly capable in tasks such as fashion shoots, merchandising, video editing, and color analysis. Some are volunteering too! They are graciously leading the projects they've taken on, and I'm seeing more time open up for me (aka, no micromanaging!). What I'm most amazed by is the joy they bring to the table. 

Little do they know that they are leading me. To truly be effective, I have to be glad, grateful, and helpful despite circumstances. Their joy is inspiring me to be the same!

Alyssa (left) is our fashion college student who is making our fall photo shoot and upcoming runway show in New York happen. Claire is a long time model who is like family now. Alyssa and I are doing another shoot today, and she makes them something to look forward to!

THE NON- PROFIT THEN?

In this year, I've become a leader that is more humble than ever. I'm seeing a grateful leader gets the best results because people seem to thrive with appreciation and freedom.

My goal is to get to the point where I dedicate two hours to Elegantees each day, so the rest of my working hours can go to the nonprofit. I'm not close to it yet, but it's been a while since I've had to steam the night before a fashion shoot. We're in the right direction!

Thanks for all your support! Love, Katie