“When things feel difficult it is generally that an expectation I have is not being met. So stepping back to look at the expectation and reframe it is helpful.” – Tara

We have another special interview for you today! We sat down and chatted with Tara from Wildflower Fashion Truck! What makes this interview extra special is that our founder, Melissa, loves sporting Wildflower clothing and is a huge fan of Tara’s boutique.

As a team, we were excited to hear more about what it’s like to purchase an existing business from another entrepreneur, overcome huge personal battles, stay focused on what matters most, and get a front-row seat to the ups and downs of the first 13 months of running her boutique. Tara is such an inspiration and you will just fall in love with her when you read her interview below.

We feel truly inspired by her grit and passion to create and nurture something great! She is someone you MUST follow! Instagram: @wildflower_mobile_boutique
Site: https://www.wildflowerfashiontruck.com/

Are you looking for the most adorable clothing for your next client meeting or event? Use coupon code blush20 for 20% off your order on her website through the end of the year!

Interview:

Question: What inspired you to start your business?
Answer: In full disclosure, I purchased this biz already running. I have known the original owner since she opened. We partnered together on events and I loved shopping the truck! I always thought her idea was brilliant but never would have copied it. 20 months ago I was in a car accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury(TBI). Though I have healed a lot, I still have issues that make certain tasks and environments challenging for me. My previous career/jobs involved constant screen time, fluorescent or LED lighting, and chaotic environments. My brain no longer tolerates these things. A few months into my recovery my husband and I were praying about the path God had me on. We knew that I needed to work yet no clue how that would be accomplished. At the same time, I was spending a lot of time with God listening to what he was calling me to. He was putting a clear calling and passion on my heart to empower and encourage women and young girls to know who they are in Christ. 13 months ago the original truck owner was celebrating her 4 year anniversary and I knew I needed to get there to talk with her. In talking, she shared with me that 2 days prior she decided it was time to sell. As the details were presented over the next few days we knew that this was a beautiful gift that God was handing us. It provided the perfect opportunity for me to continue healing, live out what God was calling me to, and provide an income for our family. As I write this I am celebrating Day 1 of year 2! I absolutely love this business. God has taught me so much and I see His hand on this biz all the time. When I remember that it is His ministry and His biz, it is crazy awesome what I am blessed to experience!

Question: What has been the easiest part of running a business? What has been the hardest?
Answer:  1st it is so much fun! I love my wildflowers! 2nd, please know I mean this in the humblest way, God blessed me with a natural gift of running biz. I am far from perfect at it though and continue learning so much! The hardest part for me is the ups and downs of retail and being a 1 man show.

Question: What keeps me going when things get difficult?
Answer: I actually just laughed out loud at this question since this year has given every possibility of challenge for a retail biz! One of the things God was and continues to break me of is the thought that I am in control. As I spent months laying in bed not being able to do anything more than lay in the dark and quiet, I learned that I am not the one in control. I try to take that control back every so often and God lovingly reminds me that I am not! God gave me the words intention and expectation last year and in recent weeks added the word pivot to the mix. When things feel difficult it is generally that an expectation I have is not being met. So stepping back to look at the expectation and reframe it is helpful. An example was when we were shut down for Covid. I took the time for rest and to work on the back end projects to build my web presence that was on my Ta Da! list. As I noticed people were not shopping at all, I decided to pivot and promote other small businesses. I am so blessed to live in a community built on small biz and everyone needed support. So I changed my expectation from selling to supporting others. In the meantime, I was able to receive unemployment. God took care of the provision as He promised when I surrendered His business back to Him by changing my expectation.

Question: What is one tip you would give someone just starting their business?
Answer: Do not try to do “all the things”. One of the blessings of my TBI is that I have a very limited capacity. When my capacity is reached, I have no choice but to stop. My brain will literally shut down. I know that is hard to understand if you have not been there but it is a real thing! It is like somebody pushes the power button and I cannot find words or keep going. So, even though this can be so incredibly frustrating, it is also a huge blessing to know that I truly cannot do everything. I have to pick and choose what to work on. I can have a million things I want to accomplish, that I feel called to, or need to be done and sometimes I will have to shut it all off to do nothing. I guess my long answer is to prioritize what you want/need to get done and tackle it at the pace you can. It is your biz and you are allowed to do what you feel is best (many people will have opinions). Put God 1st, family 2nd, and biz 3rd. Be calm, patient, and kind to yourself! I struggle to stick to all this every day!

Question: Tell us one of your favorite things about your Wildflower boutique.
Answer: One of my favorite things about the truck? There are so many! If I have to pick 1 it is the divine appointments God creates with others. The person that shows up and we connect on a human, real, raw level. So so so many stories of incredible divine appointments!!

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