We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Wendy Anderson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Wendy , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I have been slowly finding my purpose for many years but in late 2019 I was faced with this question on a much larger level. My mother-in-law had passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. “What am I doing with my life?” was a question that frequently came up. “How can I do work that is meaningful and fulfilling?” Little Wendy Bird started focusing on more custom memorial pieces and I worked on advertising that more. Grief and loss feel like hard things to have a business around, but what I found was that people just don’t want to feel alone. They don’t want their people to be forgotten.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Little Wendy Bird offers unique, personalized memorial jewelry as a tangible remembrance of loved ones. Our creations, thoughtfully designed and crafted by founder and passionate artisan, Wendy, combine the intrinsic beauty of jewelry with the depth of emotional connection.
Little Wendy Bird was born out of a deep-seated desire to help people navigate the feeling of loss through delicate keepsakes. Our pieces not only honor the memories of the departed but also provide comfort and healing through their ethereal beauty.
We specialize in handcrafting pieces that are as unique as the individuals they commemorate. Using quality materials and intricate designs, each piece tells a story, serving as a physical link to the memories of loved ones.
Our commitment to creating deeply personal and touching mementos has garnered Little Wendy Bird an enthusiastic client base and recognition in the world of custom jewelry.
Little Wendy Bird – crafting emotions, preserving memories.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
In my journey, the three most pivotal qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge were resilience, technical proficiency, and a deep understanding of people.
1. Resilience: Throughout my journey, I confronted numerous challenges and setbacks. It was resilience that kept me going, helping me to adapt and grow from these experiences. My advice to those just beginning would be to expect adversity, but also to understand that through each challenge, they have an opportunity for growth and learning. Remember, it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s more important to pick yourself up, learn from those inaccuracies, and keep moving forward.
2. Technical Proficiency: No matter what field you are in, being technically proficient gives you a strong footing. It allows you to not only execute your ideas effectively but also understand and speak the language of the industry. My suggestion here is to always keep learning, keep asking questions and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Online courses, workshops, seminars, and industry journals are all great resources.
3. Understanding People: No man is an island. In all likelihood, your journey will involve others, whether they’re colleagues, customers, or mentors. Knowing how to interact with, motivate, and understand people is an invaluable skill. Empathy, communication, and active listening are critical components of this. My advice for developing this skill is to take time to genuinely connect with people, be open-minded, actively listen, and practice empathy.
Always remember, each journey is unique. It’s okay to take advice and learn from others, but also ensure you stay true to who you are and what matters to you. Plan but be flexible, work hard but remember to take care of yourself, make use of your strengths but don’t shy away from working on your shortcomings.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes, I am always open to exploring partnerships and collaborations, which I believe are avenues to mutual growth and innovation. At this time, I find myself especially enticed by the possibility of collaborating with fabric designers and artists.
Artists and designers in the fabric space, with their deep understanding of textures, patterns, and colors, could bring an exciting dimension to my ongoing projects. I am particularly interested in those who are seeking innovative ways to combine tradition with modernity, and to promote sustainability in the world of fashion and design.
However, my interest extends beyond just those specialties, I admire the diversity in skills that different individuals can bring to a project. Whether you’re a seasoned professional in the field or a newbie with a fresh perspective, I’d love to hear from you.
If you’re reading this and would like to connect, do get in touch. You can email me at wendy@littlewendybird.com. I look forward to potentially collaborating and creating something impactful together.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.littlewendybird.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlewendybird/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleMissWendyBird
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-anderson-375802191/
