One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a record store owner is the power of persistence. For all the fun and joy I experience at Glitter Records, running a small business is a labour of love. By “labour,” I mean the definition Samuel Johnson provides in his Dictionary, “The act of doing what requires a painful exertion of strength, or wearisome perseverance; pains; toil; travail; work.” The most challenging part of running a store isn’t the physical work, but the setbacks.
Persistence Means Embracing Setbacks
Failure is inevitable in business. For me, setbacks take many forms. Sometimes, it’s making a mistaken purchase under pressure. Other times, it’s receiving a cold rejection from a local artist I want to collaborate with. Although customer care is a top priority for me, I can still feel affected by challenging feedback from visitors or the emotional frustration of disappointed clients. When setbacks accumulate in a single day, the weight of them all can feel overwhelming.
During these moments, I know it’s important to take a step back. Taking a break allows me to reflect. It’s in these challenges that the true lessons lie. When viewed with a clear head, a complaint or a mistake is often useful information on how I can improve. Every setback presents an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow. Failure, while painful, is not the end. It’s simply part of the process.
It’s How You Respond That Matters
What matters most is how you respond. An insight I received during a vision board session at Stash World stuck with me. Jessie Short, the owner, shared a quote from a book by the founder of Panasonic, “Keep on trying until you succeed.” It’s a simple yet profound message that resonated deeply with me.
Revisiting my old journal entries, I noticed a recurring theme. I often underline phrases like, “Keep going!” Or “Don’t give up!” Every time I review these notes, I’m reminded of my earlier thoughts, rediscovering my resolve. This constant reminder helps me push forward, even when the road seems rough.
Adaptability Compliments Persistence
Alongside persistence, adaptability has been essential in my journey as a business owner. Recently, I watched a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors LionHeart training seminar titled Moving On from Setback or Disappointment. One key insight stood out. We have thousands of thoughts each day. However, it is only by setting clear goals, we can direct those thoughts toward useful actions.
When I first started Glitter Records, I thought success meant having one great idea and putting it. Whether it was in a day, a week, or even a year, I focused on achieving a single breakthrough moment. Over time, my mindset shifted. Now, my goal is to generate as many ideas each day that can benefit my work. This shift has allowed me to remain open to new possibilities and to grow the business in unexpected ways.
Diversifying My Approach to Business
This leads me to another important concept I’ve embraced, diversification. Just like how investors spread their financial assets across various opportunities, I’ve learned the value of diversifying my time and energy. In business, this means investing in different areas, music formats, and opportunities to insulate against the risks of placing all of your eggs in a single basket.
However, I’ve learned how crucial it is not just to diversify in business. But in life! For instance, I now approach my work with a broader lens—allocating my focus to various “pots” that help me grow.
My Six Pots: A Diversified Approach
I view my life’s work as having six key “pots” that I manage carefully. Each pot represents a different area of focus that supports Glitter Records and my personal growth.
- Buying and Selling Recorded Music: The core of Glitter Records. I continue to improve the quality of our vinyl, CDs, and rare sound recordings I offer.
- Writing: Through blog posts and articles like this one, I share my experiences. I’m exploring how I might collect my writing into an anthology or self-published book to help raise awareness for Glitter Records.
- Community Engagement: Building strong relationships with other people is essential. Right now, I’m reflecting on the type of community I want to create long-term and how that fits with my business model.
- Services: As I work toward becoming a chartered surveyor specializing in recorded music and antiques, I am exploring how I can offer my expertise to others.
- Investment: While I reinvest most of my wages back into the business, I now understand the importance of liquidity. Watching a long-standing Brisbane record store up close made me realise that selling a massive collection under pressure is not an ideal exit strategy. So, I now maintain a cash reserve and am exploring ways to diversify my financial portfolio.
- Scholarship: With my background in music and journalism, I want to deepen my knowledge and contribute to the cultural and theoretical aspects of music. In 2023, I read 365 books, one every day! This year, I’m slowing down to focus more on Glitter Records. To reignite my learning, I’ve renewed my library membership at the University of Queensland, where I’m diving into works on cultural theory. I want to explore the potential of connecting the tracking of rare record data, the emerging market for luxury collectibles as an alternative asset class and the academic conversation on music within cultural theory.
By focusing on these six areas, I make sure that my business and personal development remain flexible and resilient. The key is allocating time and energy to these “pots” while minimizing distractions.
A Journey of Personal Growth and Entrepreneurial Success
To me running Glitter Records is about persistence, personal growth, adaptability, and embracing the journey. It’s about grappling with philosophical questions about who we are and what we’re doing in the world. A key part of my work in music is finding ways I can inspire learning and a similar curiosity in others. Even when the future seems uncertain, I’m grateful for the lessons learned and excited for the opportunities for growth ahead of me. As I continue to evolve as both a business owner and a creative entrepreneur, I remain committed to learning, growing, and staying persistent.
