Note to Self: Words Matter

...So do socks.

My friend, Laura Schmidt, used the family credit card to place a big order of socks – that she designed herself.

Within a few years, she had quit her day job, and her company, notes to self® socks, was selling products in Hallmark stores and had appeared on the Today Show.

Today, notes to self® socks sells American-made positive affirmation socks and related products in hundreds of stores nationwide, and online. AND the day I wrote this, Laura was on QVC!

Laura imagined big and started small. It’s an inspiring story. That’s why I tell it early in the book Start More Than You Can Finish.

Laura’s one of my most positive, uplifting friends, and I’ll use any reason to spend time with her. In fact, I could probably write this without interviewing Laura, because I literally take notes when I talk to her. Get a pen.

Becky: You’re a stARTist. How do you know?

Laura: I love ideas. I love brainstorming. “What if…” is my favorite way to start a sentence.

You’re great at starting fast and not overthinking, what’s your secret?

I don't think too much about the outcome. I just think about building a prototype if it's a physical product, or if it's more of a concept, I start with taking a few steps forward to see how it feels.

What affirmations have made the biggest difference in your creative courage? 

"I am confident" is a meaningful affirmation to me. I've used those words on sticky notes my entire life, and it was one of our initial sock designs. Confidence is the foundation of so many other positive traits. If you're confident, you can be brave, strong and relaxed!

I love the “I am crushing it” socks. I understand these are a collaboration with serial stARTist Gary Vaynerchuk. How did that come about?

When Gary Vee launched his Crushing It book a few years ago, we created socks in the same black and yellow/gold as the book cover. Gary gave a pair to people who pre-ordered a certain number of books. Now, they’re available to everyone. It’s a favorite.

What’s something you love that inspired more starts?

I love playing pickleball! I love it so much that my husband turned our backyard basketball court into a pickleball court! Of course a sock line was inevitable. Now we have a collection called “I love playing” that it includes pickleball, golf and tennis, so far.

Are you always motivated to stART, or does it help to get inspiration and encouragement?

I love reading inspirational things and talking to friends that inspire me! Right now, I’m actually looking for encouragement to limit how much I start and to be rested and ready for the restarts that growth requires. There are only 24 hours in the day. As much as I've tried, I can't expand that.

I’ve started making sleep one of my new priorities. In college, I did a term paper on whether sleep was required or if there’s a way around that. The answer hasn’t changed...there is NO WAY AROUND IT. My new affirmation is 'I love to sleep'.

One of your first batches of socks said I AM AWESOME. Do you remember the time that you came to my art studio and gave a pair AWESOME socks to Cam Awesome (last week’s SPOTLIGHTed STARTIST)?

Yes, that was SO MUCH FUN! I had heard about Cam before we met, and it’s been so fun to get to know a guy who has actually made HIS NAME an affirmation.

Finish these sentences…

My stARTist crush is …Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. She started in sales, like I did, and I think this was critical in developing her breakthrough product. The hosiery manufacturing industry at the time was overseen solely by men who were not using the products they were producing, so she faced big obstacles. I admire what she’s built in business and philanthropy. The best way to kill an idea is to …think about what might happen if it doesn't work.

The best time to start something is …ASAP!

Once I start, the worst that can happen is …I decide it's not worth finishing. Which is not bad!

The best thing I ever stARTed that I didn't finish is … an international business expansion. In a previous career, I expanded my business to India. I soon realized that it wasn't sustainable, so I halted it with no regrets. It was a life-changing experience; I spent three weeks in India and met wonderful people who are still friends today. I'm glad I took action, even though it didn't "succeed" as planned.

Now some easy questions. ..

Over easy or sunny side up? 

Scrambled.

Dressing tossed in or on the side? 

‘On the side’ is my knee jerk answer - only due to years of dieting. Really, I like it tossed in.

Erasers: Yes or no? 

Yes, but I prefer to write in ink.

Last question: What would you say to someone having trouble pulling the trigger on their idea?

I’d say, "What would be the BEST thing that could happen if you took one step forward with your idea?"

I believe that there is someone out there who has an idea that is the missing link to curing cancer and other diseases. I think it will be someone who doesn't have a strong medical background. I think it will be a creative.

Maybe the idea you have won't cure cancer, but it can be life-giving. What if your courage to take one step forward on your idea gives someone else the confidence to launch theirs? We can change the world by acting on our instincts and 'whispers' from the Universe/God.

Sending you love, positive energy and belief to start!

…

Learn more about Laura Schmidt at: