Can Our Inner Child Become An Entrepreneur?: Kim & Jason Kotecki

(Photo by Leefotos)

In love and in business together – is this the new ideal?

Today’s guest to the Interview With Successful Entrepreneurs series is a happy couple, Kim and Jason Kotecki. They are on the extremely important mission to save the humanity from adultitis . . . What? You don’t know what adultitis is? You have one, then, and it is killing you right now.

When I discovered their website, I almost broke into tears with relief. They bring back the fun and magic of childhood to our adult life. Every time I read their blog and the comic, I feel part of my soul is restored. I am recovering from adultitis. And they are smart entrepreneurs. They understand the power of multiple sources of income – they write, speak, sell toys, sell membership. . . (Did I miss something?)

Kim and Jason Kotecki are a husband and wife powerhouse that team up to deliver a message to empower busy people to use strategies from childhood to create lives with less stress and more fun. Learn how to overcome Adultitis today at www.KimandJason.com

1. Tell us a bit about your business and why you started it.

Kim: Kim & Jason is all about an idea. It’s the crazy notion that there is more to life than the hectic busyness, cynical melancholy and overwhelming stress that is typical of most modern lives. Adultitis tricks us into missing out on the best parts of life and causes us to take ourselves WAY too seriously. Kim & Jason is meant to serve as a beacon, reminding you of that joyful, magical, indomitable spirit that still exists within you, and giving you permission to let that spirit come out to play.

Before Kim & Jason became a business, it started as a simple love story. Jason first drew his lovable characters for me sometime before the turn of the century. We shared a kindred childlike spirit, and Jason used the drawings, which represented us as children, on many homemade (aka cheap) gifts designed to win my heart. It worked! We were married in 2000, which is also when we felt compelled to share the comic strip and its inspiring message by starting our business. It’s been a wild ride ever since!

At it’s core, Kim & Jason (which has been described as “candy for the soul” — way too cool for us to make up) is all about helping grown-ups of all ages to slow down and Escape Adulthood, whether it’s through a stress-reducing chuckle or a nostalgic reflection at a treasured childhood memory. But just as importantly, we are extremely passionate about making a difference in the lives of children as well.

Jason: Yep. What she said. Also, I really didn’t want to spend my life “working for the man,” so creating a fun business around things that we’re passionate about seemed like a perfect solution.

2. What were the three biggest challenges when you were starting off as a new entrepreneur?

Kim:
1. Funding. Jason and I were straight out of college with empty pockets and big dreams. There were a lot of upfront expenses, but not a lot of income at the beginning. We grew slow and steady, though, which enabled us to stay afloat.
2. Patience. We had grand visions, but weren’t exactly sure which steps to take to get there. It took a lot of trial an error- about five years worth. During that time there were many soul searching moments that inevitably shaped us into the company we are today.

Jason:
I’d also add self-doubt. Like many young entrepreneurs, we were very excited about what we were doing and had some big dreams to go with it, but when it comes to actually implementing your idea in the world, it’s easy to start second-guessing yourself. “Am I crazy?” seemed to be a recurring question that popped up in my head. I don’t think any of us have a good handle on what we are truly capable of and we typically sell ourselves a bit short.

3. And how did you work through these challenges?

Kim: I can honesty say that if I didn’t have my faith I would not have been able to work through the challenges. There have been a lot of silent sacrifices along the way that are often not seen from the surface. It’s been a daily walk of faith… one baby step at a time.

Jason: You have to persist. Wake up every morning with the crazy notion that “this might just be the day.” Surround yourself with people that believe in you, especially the ones who see things in you that you don’t always see in yourself. That helps counter the self-doubt. And like Kim, my faith has been crucial. I really believe God has led me to this path, and trusting that everything will work out in the end — even when things go a little haywire — has been what has kept me from throwing in the towel.

4. What is the best part of being an entrepreneur for you?

Kim: I love being able to have the freedom to react to inspired thoughts. I may plan out my day the night before, but if I wake up and decide I’d like to turn it all upside down for a new idea, I can. Jason and I have been known to go on mid-day brainstorming walks and to sit on the front porch with our laptops on a beautiful day. It’s nice to have the freedom to be spontaneous – just like a kid! We have also created a daily schedule that aligns with our natural body rhythms. We are not early risers, so our workday is 10-6:30. This allows time for morning exercise and later bedtimes, which is what we prefer.

Jason: The freedom is a huge plus, just like Kim said. Also, I love the challenge of trying to figure out how to make the business grow and get better. As an entrepreneur, you try lots of different things. It’s like throwing spaghetti up against the wall. Sometimes it sticks, and sometimes it doesn’t. But I love the challenge of it, analyzing why something didn’t work (or why it did), and dreaming up new ideas to make it work better. It’s all very exciting and engaging. Ultimately, just waking up every morning with an opportunity to use all of my talents and do what I love is the true reward.

5. Any advice for people who dream to have their own business and yet find it hard to make the leap?

Kim: I love the line by Ray Bradbury, “First you jump off the cliff and you build wings on the way down.” Don’t get me wrong, you have to take millions of calculated risks, but you also have to have the courage that when you jump, you will be able to fly. Like I said earlier, that’s where my faith has come into play. I know I can’t fly on my own.

Jason: Yes, most people get caught up in the big picture and get overwhelmed. They think they have to make tons of big decisions all at once. But as the old saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step.” If you give yourself a chance to really think it through, you’ll discover that there is usually one obvious first step. Take it. That will lead to the next. Don’t get ahead of yourself…just take that first step. You can do it!

My Takeaway
Gee, they make me jealous^-^ How nice it would be if I could have a supportive partner. . . They really compliment each other. I am also impressed with their faith. There is a higher power, and believing in its guidance and help makes all the difference. I am glad they have chosen to utilize their talents and insights from God.

I Have A Dream. . .

(Photo by zen)

Said Martin Luther King, Jr. in his speech that changed the consciousness of many Americans.

That was August 28, 1963, and his dream was “that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” This is an outstanding example of the power of words.

Do you have a dream? Join the “I Have A Dream” Project.

There is an old word in Japanese that means Spirit of Words (kotodama). People believed that spoken words have power to manifest by this Spirit. Make an inspiring speech and it has the power to bring it to reality, beyond the logical mechanics of persuasion and instruction.

So, in honor of the mysterious Spirit and late MLK, I am suggesting a meme called “I Have A Dream. . .” Please let me know when you post your article for this project, and I will add your name and link to this post.

Honestly, I feel like such a big head to start a project after the MLK speech. I am not into political movement – my main intentions are about my personal life, just like you. However, I really think this practice of dreaming big is good for us. Dreaming big is about thinking in terms of possibilities, not probabilities. For this reason, I recommend this practice especially to aspiring entrepreneurs. Of course, everyone is welcome. Please read about the prize and rules for entry at the end of this article.

My Dream
I have a dream that one day, every one of us will wake up in the morning feeling strong and inspired, knowing he or she is living toward their special life purpose. I sense that this is already starting to happen, but we need to bring it up to our clear consciousness.

When this dream actualizes, we will no longer need to distract ourselves from our inner emptiness with things like substances, gambling, and unnecessary luxuries. We will celebrate the joy of life with our friends, and we may serve drinks on such occasions, but we will not drink to distract us from unhappy daily life. Likewise, we will enjoy nice things for their niceness, but we will not need them to disguise the feeling of loss. We will know firsthand the joy and contentment of life with purpose.

Each of us are part of the Whole, yet have a special purpose. When we realize this, we will stop comparing ourselves with others. We will no longer need to compete against our own friends. We will know what it is to love ourselves and others.

When we realize our life purpose, and feel the sense of direction to live toward the purpose, we will have the courage to start doing the things that we previously felt overwhelmed to try, such as starting our own businesses. We will see life as an adventurous journey.

I have a dream. It is a huge dream, and yet it starts with each one of us. Image what the world will be like when this dream come true.

For your thoughts
Check out the movie trailer of The Shift here. (HT to Todd at We The Change) This is another big dream – that needs to happen.

Prize
Just to make it more fun, I am offering a movie DVD to one winner. I wish I could offer The Shift, but this movie is not out yet, so I picked What the Bleep Do We Know!?.

Please post your article and let me know about it by the end of May. Also, I ask my readers to please leave your comments what you think about the posts and which one you like best. With reference to the comments, I will pick 6 finalists, and then randomly pick one winner.

12 Great Articles On Life Purpose

How can we find the purpose of life? Is there a purpose, determined by divinity, that we must fulfill? Is the purpose unique to each individual?

I was intrigued by the comments left for True Life Purpose Goes Beyond The Illusion Of Self. Many of us are aware of the negative effects of not being clear about our life purpose, yet the nature of the purpose and the process of finding it seem to elude us. I have my own understanding about this (please see this page), but I’m also curious what other bloggers have to say about it. So I looked around, and found these 10 excellent articles.  (Photo by paulaloe)

Here is a list, with quotes from each post, by the order I personally journeyed through. Explore!

1. Living A Divinely Guided Life, by Andrea at Empowered Soul

There is nothing we’re “supposed to” do in this lifetime. . . Our Higher Self has but one agenda: to grow and learn through the opportunity of this physical incarnation.

2. Finding a Purpose and Passion in Life: How and What?, by Albert at The Urban Monk

How do we find our purpose? I believe we already know, somewhere in the back of our heads. It has just been obscured by our fears, our wanting of approval, the conflicting advice from society, our teachers, parents, television – all these forces, pulling us in all these directions!

3. 10 Steps To Discover Your Life’s Purpose, by Tupelo at TupeloKenyon. Com

. . . an understanding of life’s purpose could be a moving target – it could evolve through the years. . . (after realizing the purpose), it took twelve years for me to answer the question, “Oh yeah, how?” Your situation may come together much quicker. When it does, it’s a great feeling – no it’s better than that, it’s one of life’s greatest feelings.

4. How NOT to Find Yourself, by Peter at I Will Change Your Life

. . .by “finding yourself” I mean the search one undergoes for their true beliefs, values, and purpose in life. . . I now believe that it is not so much the activity that you do, it is the level of consciousness you bring to it, that determines its value in finding yourself.

5. 6 Keys to Getting Paid for Being You: An Anti-Career Guide, by Clay at The Growing Life

Everyone has something lying dormant within them that stands to come alive and wreak havoc upon the world in beautiful ways.

6. How to Live a Life of Purpose, by Alex at The Next 45 Years

When your life’s purpose is powered by passion, you are able to stay on course even when you experience obstacles and setbacks. Purpose is the engine that moves you forward in life; passion is the fuel for the engine.

7. 31 Causes of failure: #2 Lack of a well-defined purpose in life, by brip blap at brip blap

(Napoleon) Hill makes a brutal assessment in his book: in his experience, 98 out of 100 people lacked a well-defined purpose in life. . . I have no purpose that drives me to achieve other than vague ideas to accumulate enough wealth to enjoy financial freedom and “do what I want to.”

8. Am I spiritually awakened? How do I know? What are Signs?, by Evans at Live Strong, Love Unconditionally

Not everyone is spiritually awakened or aware of the highest purpose of life or the highest purpose of self in life. As we continue mundane tasks on a daily basis without question, any attempt to resist dogma usually comes with disapproval. However, for those that have managed to break free from monotony and dared to question with absolutely no fear, it will be to no surprise that answers are available.

9. My Life Purpose, by the author of Searching Myself

What we all say our life purpose is, is that part of the agenda in which we can do something for humanity. It has to be with what you like most, your inner talents, those things that bring you joy.

10 What’s Your Mission, by Cali at Lead The Life

Why do so many things get in the way of your mission? Ultimately it is the work of the small ego. . . It doesn’t want you to connect with your soul and carry out your life purpose.

Last but not least, check out Todd’s How To Find Your True Purpose at We The Change that prompted me to write the aforementioned article.

This has been a good learning experience for me. I plan to do a follow up in a few months time, so let me know what you think about this topic of life purpose, and what questions you many have.

Thank you for all the great writers here for sharing their thoughts on this important topic.

Thanks to Alex for including this post in Personal Development Carnival.

« Previous Page — Next Page »