I'm very aware of how clumsy I can be and constantly repairing something at home. This time it was my husband's Moroccan porcelain candle holder and our porcelain diffuser, both of which I knocked off their current shelf. As I steadily mixed the epoxy resin and gold dust, using it to slowly and steadily connect each broken piece, I realized there were lessons I could learn from this practice.
Kintsugi (golden joinery) is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum, a method similar to the maki-e technique. As a philosophy, it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise. Lacquerware is a longstanding tradition in Japan, at some point it may have been combined with maki-e as a replacement for other ceramic repair techniques. - Kintsugi Art of Repair, Tradition Kyoto
In this blog, imagine your business and brand are the beautiful ceramic vase waiting to be placed together with missing pieces of marketing, knowledge or resources to strengthen and beautify your brand.
What Kintsugi has taught me as an Entrepreneur.
Line up all your "broken" pieces first to create a bigger picture for your business. Clearly define and map out your brand's values and mission. Ensure you have the relevant knowledge to get started. It would be prudent to ask yourself, "So how much research have I done? Are there any courses I need to enroll in to position myself?"
Put all your ducks in a row before you launch. Financially, administratively, and intentionally.
Have a very clear picture of how the vase should look once all the pieces come together. Have in mind what you want your business to look like or how you want your business to operate as well as who you want there to operate it with you. Who are your team or accountability partners? How will it feel as a successful business?
Have the correct tools in place for a successful kintsugi session. Have the right basic equipment you will need to run your business successfully and steadily. So in my field of graphic design and social media strategy, do I have a program to help me create content? Do I have a decent camera phone or digital camera? Do I know how to use it? In terms of finances, am I confident enough to track the money on a spreadsheet or do I need a program like QuickBooks or do I need an accountant?
Practice the use of the skills and materials to aid in the bonding. Use those tools skillfully and intentionally to put all the pieces of your puzzle together. Keep learning to grow and improve.
Some pieces will need time to sit and settle to bond securely to the vase. Sometimes you need to sit with one thing in your business; one product or one service. Get it right, get it stable and aim to be the best at what you do with what you have then move on building as you go along. Be patient.
Don't be afraid of the gaps; that's where the gold comes in. Fill the gaps in the market with your services and your products. That's what you're there for. Do not be afraid to speak on your business.
Be open to your vase looking different from the beginning. Once the business comes together be prepared for it to look slightly different from what you imagined. Be open to different possibilities and directions.
Sometimes it will fail, at times the pieces will no longer fit. At times, I found a piece was not a clean break so there were unsightly parts. In business, at times, an idea won't work and that's okay just start again. Explore other opportunities, and possibilities.
You're finished vase is a work of art just remember that. Your business is a creative possibility out of you! Patience and resilience are key qualities when building your brand and business(es).
I hope these 10 points will help you to beautify and strengthen your brand and ensure longevity in your business. Comment your thoughts below.
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