Episode 128 - How to Know Your Work is Right for You with Susan Beech

04/28/22 • 43 min

Susan Beech shares how she knew that being a paper florist was the right career path for her. Plus, hear about the publishing journey of her new paper flower book.

Do you ever worry that you’re committing time and money to the wrong job?

Even if you know that you love paper flowers, how can you be sure that you’re in the right specialty within our industry?

How can you avoid investing too much in a path that is ultimately a dead end?

In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with the lovely Susan Beech of A Petal Unfolds. She told us about her process of putting together and publishing her new book, and she shared her journey of discovering which artistic medium was the right fit for her.

We’re all about finding your why this season, and a huge part of that is being in the best job for you. Listen now to hear how paper flowers clicked for Susan and how you can evaluate which industry or speciality within paper floristry is right for you.

Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:

► How Susan knew paper flower making was right for her.
► Details about her book writing and publishing process.
► How your unique background plays an important part in your career.
► Where to find the best visual references when you can’t access fresh flowers.

If you can’t listen right away, start with these three tips to get you thinking about whether you’re in the right place for your career.

Push the Boundaries

In the exciting world of paper flowers, we’re pushing boundaries all the time. In the episode we chatted about the amazing growth that we’ve witnessed in our industry in a very short period of time. Discovering new uses of paper flowers happens because people like you try something!

On a personal level, you will also benefit as you explore new areas of our craft. You won’t know if something works until you try it. You won’t know if you love something until you roll up your sleeves and do it.

To get to that excitement stage, try something new. It’s how we all discovered paper flowers initially. We weren’t born making them. We had to push the boundaries of what we knew first.

Practice New Skills

As you navigate new areas of your career, pay attention to whether something is simply not for you or if it’s really just beginner’s nerves. Susan touched on this when she told us about how she began teaching.

“When I first started teaching, I wouldn’t say I was a huge natural at teaching—standing up in front of people and teaching a class. But over the years I have had quite a lot of experience with teaching workshops, so I have built up my confidence quite a lot. I can run a class now without getting nervous.” -Susan Beech

Trying something new is uncomfortable. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s not for you. While you don’t want to invest too much into a pursuit that’s not right for your business, do give yourself enough time to get comfortable with the skills needed for it.

Find ways that you can practice a new skill like teaching without putting too much time or money on the line. We’re creatives, so get creative!

Give Time to Self-Reflection

Once you try that new skill, you have to give yourself time to think about it. This is where the sometimes difficult work of untangling your feelings comes in. Will you like teaching if you get more comfortable with it? Or will it always feel like a drag?

In the episode, Susan told us about her experience trying new tactile mediums. You can hear more on the podcast, but in short, she could feel that paper flowers were special.

“It felt different. I think it’s the excitement thing. I could see potential, and I could see opportunities, and it was exciting to make as a creator.” -Susan Beech

If Susan hadn’t been paying attention to how she felt, she wouldn’t have worked this out. We’ve talked a lot about self-reflection this season because it’s such a critical step to focusing on your why. Sometimes we’re so busy and stressed out that we can easily miss what our gut is trying to tell us.

Listen to hear even more about how Susan could tell that paper flowers were right for her, and how you can discover the best path for your career.

Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.

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About Susan Beech:

Susan Beech is a paper artist with a degree in Fine Art from the University of Brighton. She is the founder of the studio A Petal Unfolds, teaches paper flower m...

Susan Beech shares how she knew that being a paper florist was the right career path for her. Plus, hear about the publishing journey of her new paper flower book.

Do you ever worry that you’re committing time and money to the wrong job?

Even if you know that you love paper flowers, how can you be sure that you’re in the right specialty within our industry?

How can you avoid investing too much in a path that is ultimately a dead end?

Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:

If you can’t listen right away, start with these three tips to get you thinking about whether you’re in the right place for your career.

Push the Boundaries

To get to that excitement stage, try something new. It’s how we all discovered paper flowers initially. We weren’t born making them. We had to push the boundaries of what we knew first.

Practice New Skills

Find ways that you can practice a new skill like teaching without putting too much time or money on the line. We’re creatives, so get creative!

Give Time to Self-Reflection

In the episode, Susan told us about her experience trying new tactile mediums. You can hear more on the podcast, but in short, she could feel that paper flowers were special.

“It felt different. I think it’s the excitement thing. I could see potential, and I could see opportunities, and it was exciting to make as a creator.” -Susan Beech

Listen to hear even more about how Susan could tell that paper flowers were right for her, and how you can discover the best path for your career.

Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.

**********

About Susan Beech:

Susan Beech is a paper artist with a degree in Fine Art from the University of Brighton. She is the founder of the studio A Petal Unfolds, teaches paper flower m...

Previous Episode

Episode 127 - Finding the Person You Want to Be with Eileen Lim

Learn from successful paper florist Eileen Lim about how she transformed from bitter to blooming with happiness by following her why.

Do you feel excited to start your day?

Do you look forward to your work?

Do you feel fulfilled?

If you answered no to any of those questions, you need to follow your why back to the person you want to be.

In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted with Eileen Lim of Miss Petal & Bloom. She was a delightful early guest on this podcast. We couldn’t wait to have her back again to talk about her new book and her why. She beautifully told us how she got back to her true self by making paper flowers and running her business. You’ll glean useful tips on how to become the best version of yourself, as well as a peek at the process behind photographing and writing a craft book.

Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:

► How to express your best self and your best qualities in your job.
► What Eileen’s why is and how she found it.
► How she found her aesthetic and showcases her style.
► Details about what you can learn from Eileen’s upcoming book.
► Why taking your own photos can be a strength and how to do it well.

If you can’t listen right away, here are three things we discussed about how Eileen built her career so that she loves who she is as a person. Read her advice and hear even more on the episode.

Take Time to Reflect

We’ve mentioned it before this season, but finding your why takes time. You can’t sit down and figure it all out in an hour.

On the podcast, Eileen reiterated this piece of wisdom. She had to take the time to dive deep into paper flowers in order to find that she loved it. She had to try things out. She had to fail and succeed at different times. And very importantly, she had to reflect on what exactly she liked along her paper flower journey.

But it’s worth it! The hard work of self-reflection can lead you down the path that’s right for you. It will avoid costly detours and lead to a happier life.

“I do like the person who I am when I’m making flowers and when I’m my own boss.” -Eileen Lim

Ask for Feedback

Eileen shared how she was so miserable at her first job out of college that her parents could notice a big change in her demeanor. She wasn’t her regular cheerful self.

Our loved ones can often see what we can’t. Ask what they’ve noticed. Do you seem more relaxed in certain situations? Do they notice something that really stresses you out? Listen to their feedback.

Do keep in mind that one person’s opinion isn’t necessarily what you should do. But if multiple people are noticing the same thing, that’s a good opportunity to sit down and think about how exactly you could incorporate their advice.

Simply talking it out with a friend can help you get closer to your why, even if they don’t offer any concrete feedback. Find someone you trust to talk about your paper flower journey with.

Make a Change

Once you’ve done the difficult work of self-reflection and eliciting feedback from loved ones, you need to take action.

Taking that leap into the unknown can be scary! You might not be ready to jump into the deep end, but you should make changes where you can.

You’re going to make mistakes. That’s okay. We all do. You can learn from them and do better in the future.

“Even though it’s challenging and even though I make mistakes, at least I can say that I stay true to myself and I’m happy with who I am.” -Eileen Lim

Also, here's the PDF format for THE WHY WORKSHEET that you can download for free.

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About Eileen Lim:

Eileen Lim is the paper artist behind her whimsical online moniker ‘Miss Petal & Bloom.’ Based in Singapore, she is a full-time, self-taught crepe paper artist and has crafted blooms for brands such as Gucci, Bvlgari Parfums, Jo Malone, The Body Shop, Keds, Coach, Olivia Burton, and many more. She loves to teach and hopes to share the joy of crafting through her online courses, as well as her new book 'Crepe Paper Blooms, Bugs and Butterflies' (to be released May 2022).

Learn more about:

WEBSITE: www.misspetalandbloom.com

INSTAGRAM: @misspetalandbloom

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Next Episode

Episode 129 - Building a Positive Reputation Through Networking with Rebecca Grant

Rebecca Grant shares how she built an incredibly successful and well-respected wedding planning business, in large part due to networking.

Many of us rely on word of mouth to advertise our paper flower businesses. Clients are going to trust a friend’s or event planner’s advice over a random ad any day.

But where do you start? How do you connect with people who can recommend your work?

In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we talked with Rebecca Grant of New Creations Weddings. She is a very recognized and respected wedding planner in the Seattle area, but that wasn’t always the case. Like all of us, Rebecca had to start her business from scratch.

She shared fantastic advice for anyone building a creative business. Listen now to learn how to cultivate a positive reputation as you navigate difficult decisions, adverse situations, and that often feared yet crucial piece, networking.

Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:

► Rebecca’s journey to becoming a well-respected wedding planner.
► How to evaluate if you should take that next big leap with your business.
► What to think about when investing money in your business.
► How to network successfully, even if you’re an introvert!
► Why and how Rebecca is partially pivoting to wedding venue ownership.

If you can’t listen right away, here is a peek at our conversation. Rebecca shared four specific reasons to evaluate when thinking about quitting your day job and jumping fully into your creative business. The last one was, as Rebecca said, “Network, network, network, network, network, network.”

A great way to build up your paper flower business is to network with other people in the wedding industry. Here are three things you can do to better connect with other professionals at networking events:

Network with Friends

Start with who you know! On the podcast, Quynh recommended bringing a friend along to networking events. If you’re new to these types of events, or you’re on the introverted side, a friend can help you feel less awkward and alone.

It’s also much easier to gush about your friend’s accomplishments, and vice versa. Chat to your friends in the industry to see who would be willing to go with you. Make sure that you know all about their work and they know about yours.

“It’s great to have friends that push you and are constantly driven themselves. It’s just really fun to be a part of their energy and push you to the next level, too.” -Rebecca Grant

Take Networking Notes

As Rebecca shared on the episode, the wedding networking events that she attends frequently draw in well over fifty people. Even if you only meet half of them, that’s still a lot of new faces and details to remember.

The solution? Take notes! Add their contact info to your phone, and attach a photo of their business card and a quick note of who introduced you and what you talked about. Also include a photo of them so you don’t forget what they look like. You can look for a headshot on their social media or website, or you can ask to take a selfie—and don’t feel bad about that request! Rebecca told us that she loves promoting these networking events on social media, because it encourages other people to join in later. She would gladly take a photo with a small group and that gets tagged at the event on Instagram.

When individual businesses are built up, the entire industry benefits. Those with more experience in the wedding industry or other creative fields know this, and they will more than likely be very happy to chat and take a photo with you.

Follow Up

If you meet somebody and they make an impression on you, message them. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. You want to strengthen the connection you made so that later on you can reconnect more easily.

Your message can be as simple as this: “Hello! It was great meeting you at [the event]. I enjoyed connecting with you about [subject]. I’d love to chat more sometime and work together in the future. Hope you’re doing well!”

Rebecca receives many emails from various businesses wanting to work with her. As she said in the episode, she’s not going to recommend a business she doesn’t know to her clients. But by following these simple suggestions, you can network with people you want to work with.

“If you want to work with me, meet me! Get to know me.” -Rebecca Grant

Learn even more about networking and taking that next leap with your business by listening to the episode now.

Also, here's the PDF format for T...