Only up from here
Growing up in Brussels all my life, besides having amazing friends, my own place, a healthy relationship, and a good job in an industry that I like; at 19 years old I decided to move to Rio de Janeiro.
After spending an amazing two-week vacation, I fell in love with the city and wanted to be in an environment where I could recharge and develop a sense of serenity, and Rio felt like exactly that.
I embarked my aunt and little brother on this adventure, with the one and only goal of opening a business. That’s how Kumo Pancakes came to exist, the first Japanese fluffy pancakes coffee shop in Latin America.
The journey wasn’t easy. I didn’t know the culture well, didn’t speak Portuguese before moving there, and got scammed a few times by an accountant, a real estate agent, and a consultant team, which made me lose a loooot of time and, most importantly, half of my capital.
Looking back, maybe it was the universe’s way of telling me to take a step back and rethink our plan. But being impatient, I tried to rush the process without ever taking the time to reflect, I just had this one goal: opening Kumo. And we did it.
Working seven days a week, struggling to find good staff members, I realized I had embarked on something that wasn’t even close to what I like to do. Why would I put all my energy and waking hours into something that costs me so much?
I’m still proud of what we created, because at the end of the day, what I like the most is building something from scratch, having an idea and, a year later, seeing hundreds of people experiencing a real-life version of something I made up. Being able to create work opportunities for people who love what they’re doing, whether they’re cooks, graphic designers, models, fashion designers, videographers, baristas, anyone really.
I taught myself to believe that I can do anything I want. I can pack my bags and move across the world, and I’ll make it work. The worst decisions I’ve ever made were the ones I took when I was letting myself be drowned in self-doubt.
I always repeat to others that they need to create an inner world so rich that outside circumstances and energies don’t make them forget their deepest missions and desires.
And that’s where I found myself again, going deeper within to know what’s the best next step to take.
That’s how I moved to Paris.
Initially, I had been contacted by an investor who believed in my vision and would make sure I could launch my new career ventures while having a safety net and my basic needs fulfilled. And to make sure I had a plan B, I had planned a contract signature for another company based in Brussels, with which I could work remotely while being in Paris.
I came back to Brussels to set up these two arrangements, and it turns out I got left stranded.
Back in Europe, no place to stay, no money, no food, no contracts.
But again, I’m a child of God, and I trust my path. If that’s what I need to experience right now, I accept it. It couldn’t get worse than that, so it’s only up from here.
I’ve always been lucky enough to meet kind and generous people in my life, so I finally hopped on a train and got a place in Paris. Still battling with frustration because WHAT THE FUCK?! Why would people let me down last minute AFTER I just flew
10,000 km to come back? But again, I tell myself to trust the process, go deeper within, and you’ll find your way back on track.
I spent the whole week battling my doubts because truthfully, after building a business from the ground up, I don’t see myself working for someone else unless it’s exactly my dream position, and we all know how tricky that can be, especially when you need money like YESTERDAY. Truthfully, I just want to work for myself and do my shit, and there’s no reason for me not to do it.
That’s why I’m building my first program: Creative Clarity. It’ll consist of an e-book available to the public and 1:1 calls with a few selected people. The goal is to guide people from idea to execution, no matter the project, whether it’s building a photoshoot from scratch or a physical business you need guidance with.
I will start with two people next week for FREE, so if you would like to plan a free call for us to define your creative or professional project, make an action plan, and have someone you can rely on every step of the way until execution, send me an email at loahsalik@gmail.com (or through the contact page here).
It’s time for US to bet on ourselves and kill that old version that’s full of doubts.
I’m at a time in my life where my energy is at its peak, and there’s no way I’m putting my creative energy into something that isn’t my dream life.
xx Löah
