Secret Goals 2010: Revealed

2010 has been a really big year, and it all started with this itch I had for something different and bigger.  As a goal setter instead of a resolution maker, each year around the time of my birthday at the end of January, I take a look at what I've done and where I want to be one year later. The date feels a lot less arbitrary when it's your own age mark.

Just short of one year ago, I wrote a vision for what would become The Style Cooperative. After that, I wrote a list of goals that would be my indications of success and failure, and put it away, keeping this list very personal. Keep in mind, I was still working in corporate America at the time in an unrelated job.

One year ago, success to me for the year included:

-Producing products and garments, and sell them to people

-Acquire sizable traffic to the site that is beyond 2 degrees of my personal network... and not really have a clear understanding of how they found me. (This to me sounded like what it would be like to make it... unconnected strangers finding my work.)

-Another blogger likes my work enough to write about it

-Have a portfolio of custom design work that I've done for clients

-Quitting my job to do freelance design or running the company starts to look like a real possibility

Low and behold, it all happened. And not just happened... it continues to amaze me how far some of this has really gone in 1 year. I've quit my corporate job, started a company, moved, designed, been featured in magazines (whoa, plural), and sending product to places all over the world. I didn't expect that my most lofty goals would be quickly surpassed milestones, but it sure makes me glad to know that anything is possible.

Anything.

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So with that, I want to say thanks to all of you readers who have kept reading. And the tweeps that keep tweeting. And the buyers who are buying. And to all of you who are believing, or will become believers, or who will sit back and wait to see what becomes of this year.

This year, the goals and the getting are even bigger.

Chicago's Got Talent

Dressing the cast

Zach of ImFlashy

I live in Co-Op clothes, clearly.

My favorite eBay purchase.

Julian at work. In a blizzard. On a rooftop.

I've mentioned this before, but I'll say it again. Chicago has real creative talent.

This past weekend, I had a good time working with a rising Chicago-based music artist Andrew Davis II with his first video shoot. I won't spoil it for you, so I'll hold off on the finer details until the video is released.  However, it was an amazing production and brought together a collection of talented 20-somethings in music, photography, fashion, film, web content, and more doing some of the most incredible work.

Passion and talent, the work is amazing. Stay tuned for what comes of this.

Do What You Love. Today.

When I first decided to work on The Style Cooperative full time and really try to build something that I believe in, I got a handful of mixed reactions.  Some people sent me little notes saying because of that move, I am their hero (I'm still insanely humbled) and others just thought it was reckless of me.

It has been 3 1/2 months since I decided to make the move, and sometimes I have my moments where I really just can't wrap my head around what I've done or why I'm putting myself through all of the stress of trying to build something like this.  But then I see videos like this by Gary Vaynerchuk that remind me that I was once in a place where I knew what I was passionate about, and also knew that I'd never be satisfied until it was a reality.

And while there are some days where it won't seem like it, I love what I do. I feel extremely privileged to be able to say something like that, and I hope you can too.

Do what you love. Today.

A Modern Renaissance

Ever since I started working on the company full time and really putting my passion and work out there, I've met some of the most brilliant, inventive, and generally awesome people working on equally awesome things.  One of the things that I've most recently been interested in is the cultural shift on what the word "urban" means these days. It's not the dirty word it once was, and creative individuals and groups are helping to make that shift to something entirely positive.

via

Here is a small collection of sites, projects, and general brain candy on what the idea of urban is becoming. Enjoy!

The Brooklyn Circus

Old world charm, craftsmanship, and ideas for a new urban gentleman.  They are trying to change the idea of what an urban man is around the world, and that, I can respect.

Culture of Creativity

The epitome of a modern renaissance.  A group of really talented and spot-on young thinkers that are supporting others in creativity, and having a good time doing it.

Urban Art - Beyond the Street

Cool Hunting discusses urban art, where it has been, where it's going, and some eye candy to make it all digestible.  Also, discusses graffiti as a medium of art you simply can't ignore.

Window Farms (via Design Sponge)

If you've never had the good pleasure of hearing me on a soapbox about my theories on food, consumption, urban living, and how it all comes together, just skip to this article on Window Farms and we'll be ok. It's art meets local produce, and I just can't think of a single thing more perfect than that.

Smart Bikes

Is it just me or bikes more popular today than ever and effective in getting you a little street cred?  There are many more options for people who choose to get around on 2 wheels.  The US is catching up to what many European cities have been doing for a long time now- bike share systems.

Introducing The Style Cooperative

This is what you can look forward to from me on behalf of The Style Cooperative.  We are building a community around the idea of personal style and the new generation of creative minds and modern renaissance.  And we'll be doing all of this stylishly.

Enjoy!

0 to Something: Dreams, Hurdles, and New Beginnings

When I initially decided to start The Style Cooperative, I knew deep down that this is something that I wanted and believed in.  I believed in it so much that I made and continue to make a number of sacrifices and tough decisions every day in order to make sure that it all works out.

The one difficult thing that I've had to wrap my mind around is the idea that there are certain things that are out of my control.   As I work tirelessly to reach my dream, after a while, I just have to have faith that things will work out if I continue to do everything I can to lead to success.  This idea and these actions have led me to create some work that I am both proud of and pretty nervous to share with the world.

Tomorrow, I will be releasing a trailer on behalf of The Style Cooperative so that you all can finally see what I've been working on and a peek at where I'm trying to go.  I'm excited to share with you what will serve as my platform to speak about personal style and innovation for a generation of stylish people.

I'm excited, nervous, but most of all ready to do something I know I'm meant to do.  We're going from 0 to Something, and it's time to kick it up a notch.

Hiatus pt. 2

I've jetted away and won't have regular access to internet to share ideas and images with all of you.  More to come at an unclear date, but just understand, I'll be back with news and fanciness for all once again.

Live your dreams, and do it stylishly.