“When an idea thinks it has found somebody - say, you - who might be able to bring it into the world, the idea will pay you a visit...The idea will try to wave you down, but when it realizes that you’re oblivious to its message, it will move on to someone else. But sometimes - rarely, but magnificently - there comes a day when you’re open and relaxed enough to actually receive something...The idea will not leave you alone until it has your fullest attention. And then, in a quiet moment, it will ask, “Do you want to work with me?” At this point, you have two options for how to respond.
No or yes?”
Joel and Edwin Wiesner, the owners and creators of As of Latte, have been dynamic duos all their lives being more than just business partners but twin brothers.
This passion of theirs cannot be contained because it naturally oozes out of them, permeating and impacting those around them. They are constant encouragers who echo hope to the hearts of those that desire to take risks and dream. They also have such finesse with celebrating life and others, bringing the party wherever they go. They make others feel heard and valued, and they have a way of believing in people’s dreams more than people can believe in their own at times.
I had the privilege of connecting with them over coffee, and I was able to get simple but powerful advice on how to follow dreams and make them a reality.
They have been entrepreneurs since high school. They have pursued dozens of accolades and endeavors from non-profit organizations, bands, clothing franchises, website building, and they do not have any regrets with the how those plans turned out. If anything they believe it has taught them how to be successful today. This is their journey, and I know it will help you live yours. This is their words:
“We are running a business and in that there are many goals. If you have a goal, a dream, an accomplishment that you want to get done, start today. Start right away. Baby steps. Even if it is googling, “where do I start”? No one is going to tell you what to do. We gotta be that for ourselves. We feel like there are two reasons why people don’t pursue their goal, a dream, or business, it’s because, one, they don’t know how to get started, they are afraid to get started or maybe they don’t have the resources. And the other reason is if they did succeed and finish their goal, what would be the aftermath? How are relationships going to be affected? What do we do next?”
Joel and Edwin’s words hit home because I had those same exact questions bombard, discourage, and distract me from actually pursuing my dreams and desires. What are the reasons and questions that taunt you and distract you from going for it?
They continued.
“There are some days that we do not feel creative at all. We have no inspiration, and we feel like we can’t get anything done today. There are times that we can get burnt out, so we take a step back. We all need to learn when to rest but not to quit. Never quit, never give up, just rest and take a step back when needed.”
They went on.
“It happens all the time. Living in that feeling of overwhelm. That’s one thing that stops us at times like the overwhelming question: “what do you do first?” You may have ideas that I got to do this, this, this, and this. Which one do you prioritize on? What we have learned with our business and something we do every morning is this. We will write down 5 things literally on paper that we need to finish that day. We figure out which are the easy ones that we can get done first and towards the end of the day, we will complete the harder ones. We make sure to complete those 5 things by the end of the day no matter what.”
I love those words: baby steps. Make your baby steps today practical and manageable. Can you take the risk today of simply googling “how to start” (you fill in the blank)? From there, grab a piece of paper, and write 5 simple tasks that you can get done today.
Take a deep breath. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Remember practical and manageable, and start there.
Maybe you have always wanted to get into calligraphy, online streaming, playing an instrument, learning a new language, starting a new business venture, and you never conjured up the courage to simply google “how to start” this dream. Don’t start next Monday, next year, or when the moon and earth align because guess what, we will always find excuses.
Today is your day, own it, and do it.
I know we are officially half way through the 2nd month of 2019, and for some reason, we love putting parameters of when we can start new whether it is a beginning of a new year or a new week. Let’s stop putting timely parameters around our hopes and dreams because something I learned in a character training back in 2010 that kicks apathy and indifference out of my life is this:
Opportunities pass.
Sit with that statement.
Opportunities really do pass, and we do not get them back.
You will only be you, at this age, having the abilities, the time, the money, that you have right now. We are only guaranteed the present, and we can only hope for the future.
When we own our dream, we make a way for people to not lose hope in what they believe in and for them to not lose hope in themselves.
It takes people like Edwin and Joel to show the world this message: “Hey, we did it! Yes, we are taking risks, but we are doing it! And we are happy doing what we are doing!”
“If you have a goal or a dream, start today. Start right away. ”
In mid March, As of Latte will be launching a few new additions as they have partnered with a brand new coffee roaster called Temecula Coffee Roasters.
As of Latte will have brand new packaging, 100% bio-degradable, 100% natural coffee that will be featured in various flavors: fortune cookie (fortunes in every bag), trail mix, and blueberry acai.
Support As of Latte by following them via Instagram and Facebook, also you can also purchase their merchandise on their As of Latte website.
A free mug will be raffled off this week, so keep a look out. To enter make sure to hit like and tag a friend on both As of Latte and Steep Life accounts.