It's easier to give up than to continue to push through.

If my Mom knew that I was using her picture she would be very frustrated with me. My mom is one of the most humble, secure, faithful, strong, intelligent individuals I have ever met. We are coming up on our third year in business this June. From the outside it may look as though it's been a walk in the park. A lot of great press, a busy little store, and a killer website that has literally shipped our hats all over the world.

I am the first to say we have had an unbelievable journey with amazing stops along the way and it is far from over. What I want to tell you about are that just like every other businesses we have experienced some road bumps that have caused us to doubt, reconsider, reorganize, rethink, restructure, and finally reaffirm that we are in this for the long haul. Sue has been the backbone of the company in the perspective that she has the most undying faith that we will succeed. Brian has recently come into the realm of Little Hat in one of those unexpected ways. He asked us if his group in Business School could do a case study on Little Hat and create our business plan. He has been asking for hard numbers, facts, and strategies. That's not how I usually role. I am a dreamer, eternal optimist, believer in everything being possible, and incredibly emotional.

Yielding to Brian's questions has made me take a second look at some of the major roads bumps we've encountered. They all brought doubt and uncertainty but as we maneuvered our way through and over them they brought experience and a stronger sense of determination to make Little Hat prosper and do what it is meant to do for us and our community. One of the first people I always go to when the doubt starts to consume me is my mom. I'm sure there are many to come but when we get to the next one my mom's words will be the same, "It's easier to give up Jen then it is to push through - Don't stop moving forward till you absolutely are forced to stop". It always comes down to being your choice to decide to stop of not. Decide what matters to you, create your own picture of your future, own how you are going to better yourself and your community, and then push through. I promise you it won't be easy but the feeling of accomplishment and gratitude on the other side are well worth it. I know you can do it.