Sometimes
we know that something has to change in our lives. That need often gives birth
to a dream. The problem is we often succumb to the fear of the unknown and turn
our backs on the doors that are opening to us.
Life was
different back in the 1800's. Charles Tiffany was 15 when he completed his
formal education
and went to work managing a general store for his father who owned a
Connecticut cotton
mill. He worked long, hard hours - learning new things every day. At 25 he
still had nothing to
call his own - and very little money.
Let
Necessity Breed Action
It was time
to change his life - time to create his own success. I can imagine the conversation he had with
his friend, and new partner, John Young.
"We're
going to New York!"
"To do
what?" John asked warily.
"We're
going to open our very own stationery & notions store on Broadway!"
By now John
was looking at him like he'd lost his mind, "With what money?"
"I've
talked my father into loaning us $1000."
"$1000!
That's all? How are we supposed to start a new business and have money to live
on with just
$1000?"
Charles had
the perfect answer. "It's either that or be stuck here for the rest of our
lives."
The two
young men went to New York - It was 1837.
Enlarge
Your Expectations
The first
three days of business in their new store on Broadway were not promising.
Tiffany & Young raked
in a dismal $4.38 in sales. No matter. With their sights set on success, the
young men worked
hard to provide products people wanted. Within two years they were selling
glassware, cutlery,
porcelain, clocks and jewelry.
They had
also learned a tremendous amount. They knew to search for every opportunity.
They knew to take
advantage of ways to expand their business. They knew each year would bring new challenges
and opportunities. But Charles still had no idea what they would become.
Look
For Ways to Expand
In 1841
they added a new partner - someone to travel abroad to increase their
purchasing power.
Six years
later they recognized a growing market for quality gold jewelry and began to
manufacture
their own.
Just one
year later, in 1847, Europe was rocked by disturbances. One of the results was
diamonds declining
50% in Paris. They took advantage of the situation to purchase huge amounts -
gaining enormous
profits back in America.
All the
while they were moving into bigger and better storefronts. In 1867 they moved
into the famous
store still on Broadway - Tiffany's.
The young
man who left Connecticut to open a stationery store became the owner of a $2
Million dollar
business (the equivalent of a multi-billion dollar business today) that was
acknowledged as the
greatest jewelry company in North America.
Room
To Grow
Sometimes
your original dream may be just a shadow of its true potential. Tiffany never
dreamed of creating
the greatest jewelry company in North America. He simply moved toward every opportunity
- keeping his mind and heart open to every possibility.
Follow your
dream. Take the steps to bring it to reality. But don't let your own ability to
dream limit
you. Give the dream room to grow. Give it every opportunity to become more.
Take advantage
of your lessons learned and continue to forge ahead.
- Power of Mind
- Power of Mind
