Awe shucks….Ken dedicated this weeks article to me which is really kind of him!  It seems there are so many lessons to be learned from the Wizard of Oz….ask me about a great book sometime!   To what Ken says below, I understand playing it safe, but I am just terrible at it! For me when I get an idea or I decide to do something, I am just sick with it until I do it and therefore anything that has to be done to accomplish my goal not scare me, but it certainly does make me uncomfortable from time to time! I have learned lately that sometimes playing it safe is smart and having patience and planning is very important. I have been called fearless quite often, but now that I read this I think courageous is a better word, because I certainly have fear…I just don’t let it stop me from trying my hardest to do the things that I commit to doing. For me 2010  was not a year of playing it safe (sometimes I wish I would have), it was a year of learning, trying, learning, trying and learning and trying some more! haha  Next year, I want to take the courage I gained in 2009, the knowledge and experience I gained in 2010 and make 2011 a year of achievement! That’s the goal and I already have my eye on it! -Thanks for dedicating this article to me, Ken….having supporters like you is what gives me the courage to keep at it! -Julia

Advice from the Lion

I am back in Mexico once again, and this weeks article was inspired by what I saw on TV last night.  Where I am, there are only 2 English speaking tv stations: CNN international, and a movie channel.   Last night, The Wizard of Oz was on.   I have seen the Wizard of Oz several hundred times but I needed a break from Democrats and Republicans.   As I watched the movie, something became clear to me that I had not noticed in the past.   We could all learn a lot from this movie.   In particular, we in the shoe industry could learn a lot from the Lion.

For many retailers, designers, brands, and marketers in the shoe industry, 2010 was the year to play it safe.   As the economy inches forward to a recovery, I want to challenge all my fellow colleagues in whatever aspect of this industry you are in to have courage. Make sure you are making courageous decisions about your life frequently.   Have a brain, have a heart, but in 2011 have courage.

If I had to pick the one character trait that will be vitally important to success in 2011(and beyond), it would be courage.   I know of very few people that can boast about their business, or their business responsibilities in 2010.  2010 was a very tough year for almost everyone in the shoe industry.   Even as the economy improves going forward, we will not make progress personally or professionally if we do not adopt a strong dose of courage.   There is no progress without it. 

Great achievements have always been the by product of someone with great courage.   To me, the “2010 Courageousness Award” should go to Vibram and their Five Fingers product.   Here is a brand that was not even a mention in the running category a few years ago, going up against the established players in a very crowded field.   Some designer had the courage to think way outside the box and develop this product.   Some brand manager had the courage to take this to the powers that be and get the product to sales samples.   Arguably, there was nothing like it when the salesman took it out of his case.   A few retailers had the courage to try something new, and completely different.   Some consumers had the courage to try something new.   Now, Vibram has a new category.

Of course, not every act of courage ends with an award.  Twig tried a new product last spring which we felt was truly revolutionary.   We sold it in quite well and it bombed at retail.  It happens but we will not be discouraged.   Babe Ruth hit lots of homers, but he struck out more often than most too.   He still got up to bat thinking home run versus getting on base.

I want to encourage all readers of this article to make a new years resolution:   Pick something in your life that you did not think you were capable of and have the courage to go out and do it.   As a very famous person once said “Courage is the power to let go of the familiar”.

Ken Proctor
Front Man
Twig Footwear, LLC
Ken@twigfootwear.com
www.twigfootwear.com
832-748-1865