dare to dreamgirl: Jessica Gooley

Do you remember Psyche's four tasks, the 3rd task requiring her to set a goal (fill the flask with water) and achieve the goal despite fairly significant distractions (raging stream etched against a jagged cliff)?

Well, Jessica Gooley has done precisely that.

Jessica works full-time as a cardiac surgical nurse.  She spends considerable time caring for her mother who's had a stroke, and in recent months attended to her daughter during a difficult first pregnancy.

But Jessica had a goal.
Which she's achieved.
I'll let her tell you in her own words.

I am a Cardiac Surgical Nurse who has dared to dream about creating a business to sell kits of unique and whimsical animal wall hangings. I took 3x3 pictures of felt wall hangings given me by my older sister, Jenni Christensen, a Utah artist. From those original 3x3 pictures I now have kits for 13 of these whimsical animals which include patterns, material, thread and instructions. Even though it is not listed as included in the kits, as people complete the kits and see the finished product they will also have a delightful feeling of joy as evidences by the smiles on the faces of all who see these whimsical animals appear.

(Note:  The Belly Button Bunch was featured in Organize Magazine (as seen in the lower l.h. corner above); photo courtesy of LaNola Kathleen Stone.)

I came about this dream by reading a “Dare to Dream” article written by a good friend, Whitney Johnson. Through this article and the encouragement of Whitney, I have started on the road to realizing my dream.

My dream has been nurtured by the people, places, and experiences of my life. I was born in Salt Lake City, but then moved to Hawaii where I was surrounded by the vibrant colors of those islands for 10 years. My next stop was Idaho and lived next to a wildlife refuse and enjoyed many animals on the farm. After high school I went to nursing school in Portland, Oregon. My travels then took me to Southern California where I met my husband of 28 years. I have called Texas, Oregon and now Shrewsbury, Massachusetts home. Three wonderful children have blessed my life. Some 35 years of my life was spent working in the medical field, the last fifteen as a Cardiac Surgical Nurse.

When you get a moment, please go over to Jessica's website and take a look.

If you have any ideas on how to market the Belly Button Bunch, why not practice a little systergy, and share your ideas with Jessica.  Better yet, pass along the link to Belly Button Bunch.

Atta Girl, Jessica!

What have you been thinking about doing?   

How can the metaphorical eagle help you?

Related posts:

Psyche's 3rd Task:  Fill the Flask
Handicrafts for the hero's journey
dare to dreamgirl:  Dana King
Blog I Like:  HellomynameisHeather

Comments

[Stacey P]

Congratulations! These are adorable... The best part is that you had the courage to take action...atta girl!
Stacey

[Dana King]

Jessica,

Congrats. Your darling animals are worthy of promotion...I will feature on my blog soon.
Have you considered opening an etsy shop to promote them. It is an inexpensive way to build a pressence on the web and learn from other crafters how to promote your products. check out the etsy community at http://www.etsy.com/ Crafts and expecially felt, as you may know, are so big right now.
Other marketing ideas. You might donate to charity, like Habitat for Humanity. Decorate a children's room with your designs and invite the local mags and papers. Share your crafts with after school programs...some kind of outreach in the community either online or in your community is a great way to communicate your offering. Feel free to contact me to bounce around ideas.
All the best, Dana

[Lee]

Jess
You are great and this was an inspiring article...I sent it off to my friends that are crafty and also all my friends who have new grand children...something fun for a grandma to do for her wee ones...
Love it that you are following a dream!
Lee

[Jenny]

It takes GUTS to pursue 'the dream.'
Atta girl Jess!