Two months in Nashville

We have now been living in Nashville for two months. Our move was quite insane. It takes a long time to settle, especially when you have a business that has a lot of stuff.  Dave and I both have felt so welcomed to Nashville by our old friends and so many new people. I’m continually filled with thanks that we made the move.

East Nashville is like a small town, but it’s only 5 minutes away from downtown Nashville. To give you an idea, I was in the Post Office a few days ago standing in line. Normally that is just a miserable experience because the workers are all going slow and they are grumpy (at least the old Post Office by my house in Jackson.) I think her name was Lisa in the East Nashville Post Office who was so cheerful and joking with everyone. And 3 out of the 5 people waiting in line knew each other. That made such a strong impression on me. Let me explain. I love love love big cities. I love the ideas, competition, the fight to make the best work. I find much more like-minded creatives who are wanting to make their big dreams come true. But I grew up in a small town. I love walking into a restaurant and knowing at least one person, which you don’t often do in a big city. Y’all, that’s starting to happen to me in Nashville. We have the best of both worlds. We found an amazing church that I think we are going to stick with. Also we got plugged into a neighborhood group that is slowly becoming the highlight of my week.

I’ve been here two months and I am now in a retail store not even 1/2 a mile from our house! I had the hardest time getting in a retail shop in Jackson (other than Whitley’s Flowers because they are my family! ha ha!) I feel Little Things Studio belongs here. The opportunities for growth are huge for me. And I’m encouraged that there is a place for me in this very competitive field.

I’m going to say something I’ve kept private for a long time now. I had a series of disappointing contracts fall through from Surtex. I was so close to a BIG iPhone case deal and a fabric line. Don’t leave out wrapping paper and bedding! I’m tearing up right now just thinking about it. Every time someone suggests to me “you should have a fabric line,” I feel pain. If I had the funds to do it myself, believe me I would. For the first time in over a year, I’m starting to be ready to put myself out there again and try. I know there will be a long line of rejection emails and phone calls. My work is so personal to me which is great in so many ways, but SO tough when something doesn’t work out. In just the small time we’ve been here, I’ve started to feel ready to try. I am so grateful we moved and have a fresh start.

-Kate