Here’s a personal story of a journey which unfolded and continues to unfold simply because I said yes....

Roughly, 3.5 years ago, I was randomly offered a contract position to staff fashion expos at Jacob Javits here in NYC. I mean, seriously - this offer came out of nowhere. At the time, I was a full-time director + a 15 year veteran at a creative arts college. My campus was going through a HUGE transition, which meant my plate was already pretty full.  A fashion expo, really? Truth was, I always favored the graphic design world over the fashion world. There was so much I did not know about the fashion world. All things considered, normally I would have respectfully declined and continued with life.

Something told me to be open and just consider it. I felt this little flicker inside & the next day, I decided to go for it, didn't ask many questions and, said yes. A week later while signing the contract, I read through my responsibilities and expo dates.

Responsibilities

• Within one-month hire, train and fully onboard 25 staff members
• Staff must be professional, reliable, interested in the fashion industry and look the part
• START DATE AND TIME – 7:45am. Normally mornings aren’t a problem but this happened to be the exact same morning I was scheduled to return from Barcelona on a 5:45am flight (Maybe I should’ve asked more questions - lol) 

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE

• This would be my FIRST TIME stepping foot into Jacob Javits
• My first time ever attending a fashion expo
• First time having to screen and complete the hiring cycle for 25 new hires completley on my own 
• And have this all wrapped up and organized within 3 weeks, before my first trip to Spain

I thought about backing out but then just signed quickly, all while thinking this is absolutely bananas but I will do my best.

I did my best and it all thankfully came together. I felt moderately confident before my trip. The flight home was a total different story - I was still holding onto Spain  but also facing the fact that I'm sorta walking into the unknown, I did not want to fail and this is kind of a big deal. Needless to say it wasn't the most relaxing 8.5 hour flight 🤪.

I remember arriving at Jacob Javits, straight from JFK, bags in tow. I was riding the escalator up, taking in this massive, event ready interior - thinking, Tonya wtf are you doing... there is nooooo way you are going to pull this off. Even if I was operating at 100% I would have been intimated by this scenario and I was no where near 100%  The jetlag + Spanish red wine hangover 👁‍🗨 were in full effect.

Somehow, in the end, not only did my team and I pull it off, we KILLED it! 

Saying yes brought other gifts as well ✨

1. My world expanded. I felt like I was now part of this secret society, haha. Prior to this experience, I really never gave much thought to what went on before needing/liking something & swiping my credit card. It felt like I was living in a documentary...I loved it! To see the before market retail process. Having the opportunity to connect with brand owners, designers, showroom owners it was all sooo amazing to me!
2. To see the upcoming trends & products that would soon fill retail shops (of ALL sizes) while also getting to experience & witness the operations side of running an event of this magnitude - freakin priceless.
3. I was able to sit through a few industry talks, one in which the infamous Iris Apfel was the guest speaker - loved! 
4. Honestly, every morning, I felt blessed & lucky to enter Jacob Javits as a contributor of such a huge event. After working for the same company for 15 years it was nice to be part of something new and feel different energy. 
5. To watch members of my team assist with brand merchandising projects, which then led to industry connection! While others had the chance to show off their leadership skills and personalities. All while having fun, connecting & earning extra income - truthfully this 👆🏽was my favorite gift!
6. Guess what? ...They liked us. We were invited back to support several other expos. Thankfully, the entire journey ending up being equally as beautiful ✨ 

When the dots start to connect...

Fast forward 2.5 years later, there I was launching The Wolf In Me an ecommerce marketplace, blog & community. Just recently I attended my 2nd annual New York Now Expo  as a retailer/business owner. #bananas

Here’s the craziest part for me...if 5 years ago, someone would’ve told me, “Over the next several years, you will experience all of the above 👆🏽.”

From staffing my first fashion retail expo at Jacob Javits, to launching The Wolf In Me and attending expos at Jacob Javits as a business owner... 👀I would’ve thought that person was certified bat shit crazy.

I did not see any of this coming. Looking back, this was a moment I was tapping into The Wolf In Me without even knowing it. Seeds were being planted plant. This proved to me, magic can happen when we SAY YES - MORE ❤️, I’ve witnessed this firsthand, both professionally and personally. You never know where a simple yes can lead you. 

I hope my little story inspires you to lead with an open heart and say yes to something you normally wouldn’t say yes to. Lastly, have faith in your journey, listen to those faint internal whispers and when you start to feel a drop of fear wrapped with excitement /curiosity that's your que to tap into The Wolf In You and simply GO FOR IT.