Unfabricated Unwrapped

A year ago I had no idea what I was getting myself or my team into. Lets buy a green couch and turn it into something that has meaning! Not an easy task, that's for sure. As the idea started to take shape, so did the interest. Our first set of interviews were nerve racking. It was all new territory for us. But it wasn't long after the first set that we knew we had something special. It was that day that I joked about doing a live interview, and a year later, Unfabricated took place.

We're not event planners, that's why we hired Heather Akers from Akers2Grow. But we are visionaries. It didn't take long to find out that we all have a passion for taking an idea that was once nothing and turning it into a physical space that people were enjoying good food and good company in. We started the planning 6 months prior to the event. There were mood boards, samples, tastings, laughs, long nights and tons of details. Most importantly, there was passion and everyone involved was focused on the same goal - create a night that inspires people.

Let me tell you about the emotions leading up to one of the biggest nights of your life. The weeks prior I was scared, nervous, wondering if anyone would really care. Would months of hard work go down the tube or would we fill the house? We'd sell a ticket here and a ticket there. I was excited when we sold 10! There were days where nothing happened. No tickets. No planning. Then there were sprints where it seemed like it was all we were talking about. Something incredible happened then. Two weeks prior to the event, tickets started to roll in. 2 at a time. 4 at a time. Soon we were faced with the reality that people actually WANTED to be there! Why on earth do all of these people care about what I have to say? I'm just a small town girl, why me? The moment hit me when I had to make a call to Heather to tell her we were on the verge of selling out. And then we did. SOLD OUT friends. I emphasize that to show you that you can do anything. It amazes every time that if you put in the sweat equity and give life to that idea that brews in your head, it can lead you to incredible things!

As the room set up went up and the guests started coming in, I did a room check. Amber was smiling, Kassie was laughing, Momina was holding a conversation, my husband had a beer in hand and I was standing tall. At that moment I knew we had done it and all fear literally left my body. I left the main room a few minutes prior to the presentation, sat in Roy Pitz Brewery and reflected on the last 7 years of my business journey. I took a million deep breaths, downed about a gallon of water and then I saw Heather come in with her beautiful smile and say, "It's time." I walked down the hall, heart racing and then that beautiful tune to our videos came on. I watched how brave our risk takers had been in the past. I looked across the heads that filled the chairs. And when Whitney from Digital Bard said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, that is the Green Couch, and this is Laura Wallace!" the once sitting guests stood and clapped. My heart is racing writing this right now because I've never felt so appreciated and welcomed before in my life. Chills. 

The interview seemed like it flew by! I was so comfortable in spilling my gutsy that I could have talked for another hour or two! I guess we'll save that for the book :) I shared things that only a handful of people knew prior to that night. I shared difficult things, things that keep me going and did my best to pass on words of encouragement. You CAN do this. You were chosen to. If you're a risk taker, you were born that way. There's something special about you that is unlike no other. You have the ability to live a life that is beyond your wildest dreams!

I want to thank each and everyone that came out to support The Green Couch Project and myself last Tuesday night. It means more to me than I could ever express that you believe in the project. It means even more to me that you take whatever inspired you and apply it to your life to create happiness! If you're interested in being on the couch, visit our website and fill out a form here! We'll be choosing our spring candidates soon.

As a risk taker, naturally there's another chapter :) So what's next? 

The full length audio interview will be available on Friday, February 6th through the Apple iTunes store! Subscribe to our Podcast channel through the Podcast app! We'll be releasing past participant interviews over the next few months.

Brandstarter Pre-Orders are available now!

Designed for risk-takers, by risk-takers who have been through the same struggles as you, the workbook is your in-house strategist, giving you the resources to build a consistent and recognizable brand. Because we want you to succeed, we’ll include a 60 minute phone call with an expert to review your journey. This book is perfect for you if:

• You have an idea and are thinking about turning it into a business (no experience necessary!)
• You have a business and you want to refine your strategy, dig in a little deeper
• You want to take your business to the next level

Photo's by Melanie Anderson of Anderson Photographs - Thank you!!!