Starting BEYOND

In the past couple of months I have been asked countless times:

"Why did you start BEYOND?"

"How did you start BEYOND?"

"What gave you the idea?"

... so, I figured the best alternative would be to write a blog post about it!

The first time that I thought to myself that I wanted to start a clothing line/blog was in March of 2017. I have always had a dream of having my own clothing line, so when I made the opportunity available for myself I thought: "why not use it to make a difference." For weeks, I was brainstorming on what I could come up with. I went through several ideas and changed my mind about 100 times. I started thinking about how I do not like to settle for less and how I have big dreams that I WILL reach... and then, BEYOND came to my mind. I was so stuck on this idea for the longest time that I knew this was it. However, that was the easy part...

Nothing was handed to me. I had to come up with a business plan before I started anything. I had to figure out how to pay for it and how to even start a clothing line. Once I got all of this figured out, it was time to start putting my plans into action. I built my own website, had to take pictures of all my clothes (thanks to the help of my lifelong friend, sister, and mom), and figure out many "behind the scenes" plans. It was not easy, but I was determined to do it. I was not going to let this dream of mine slip away. I ran through various ideas on how to design my website, but once I had the pictures, the vision came alive. BEYOND was then successfully launched on July 3, 2017.

It was hard work, but I did it and I am proud of myself for that. There are still hard times that approach with it, but anytime someone tells me that a devotion or blog touched them, it makes all of the hard work worth it. It reminds me of the main reason as to why I started BEYOND... to give people inspiration. Creating BEYOND was one of the best decisions that I have made. It has helped shape me into the person that I am this day and will continue to be with me for the rest of my life.

With all of that being said, DREAMS DO COME TRUE, but you have to work for them. Dreams are not handed to you, God gives you the knowledge and the guidance, but He does not work for you... you work to honor and glorify Him. You cannot expect something to be successful unless you put in the time and effort and do not give up on it. As Pauline Kael said,

“Where there is a will, there is a way. If there is a chance in a million that you can do something, anything, to keep what you want from ending, do it. Pry the door open or, if need be, wedge your foot in that door and keep it open.”

Seeing dreams fall away is not an option. Put the work in and show people that you are determined. There will be people who will support you and there will be people who will not support you... but do not let those people who do not support you get you down. If you focus on everyone's approval, you will be blind to the people who actually want your inspiration and need it.

GO AFTER YOUR DREAM AND MAKE IT YOUR REALITY!

I truly thank everyone who has supported me with BEYOND from the bottom of my heart! Now, go BEYOND today in all of your endeavors ...