My First ‘First’
Celebrating Firsts: When Warning Labels Became Real
People celebrate a lot of firsts, and I want you to join me in celebrating one of mine.
Business owners are told to start small and grow from there. Regardless of how small a business venture might be, launching any business is scary – equal parts doubt, hope and fear. The support and encouragement of friends and family is invaluable, but it doesn’t make the journey any less terrifying. My first sale came from a dear friend, Marcia. She looked at my fledgling product line and ordered a t-shirt to help me evaluate shipping speed and product quality.
That first Warning Label shirt was more than just merchandise – it was the moment Fortis Fidei became real. The design playfully suggests that some people absolutely should come with warning labels. The front says “Some People Should Come With a Warning Label,” while the back features an actual warning label graphic. It’s cheeky without being mean, honest without being harsh – kind of like that friend who always tells you the truth but makes you laugh instead of cry.
When Marcia tried on her new shirt and praised the design, fit and feel, I just *might* have done a little happy dance right there in her living room. Not just because someone liked my design enough to wear it, but because it represented that first step from “I have an idea” to “I have a business.”
Sometimes we all need friends who believe in us before we fully believe in ourselves. And sometimes, we have friends who really *should* come with a warning label!
