Probably there will be more stuff that I think of in the next couple of weeks, because I feel like I learned a crap-ton from this whole experience, but this is what comes to mind right now:

1. People are AMAZING.

Like, wow. SO MUCH WOW. You guys helped me raise over $5000! When I add the cash and cheques to the total from IndieGogo, it's over $5000. YOU GUYS. You guys have blown my mind and rocked my world. This is a game-changer. I'm now taking It's Business Time and it's already a game-changer and we're only three weeks in. So, learning #1: people are amazing. I reached out and asked, and made an offering for trade, and people totally were amazing and supported that. That's incredible.

2. People are also a little bit nuts.

I got some ... ahhh... interesting responses at times. I won't share them because I'm not interested in shaming anyone, or getting into a debate about the comments and their validity, etc. And truly there were not many comments like this at all, not in proportion to the comments expressing support. But the reason I'm mentioning them, and the important thing I learned from this is that haters are gonna hate. It truly doesn't matter who or what you are, or what you say. You could do your best to never offend anyone and you'll still get weird-ass comments! I shook it off by remembering to trust my own gut and my own work.

3. YOU REALLY NEVER KNOW UNTIL YOU DO IT.

So people are amazing and they are also crazy. I knew that at the beginning, before I launched the campaign, and I was so scared to make the leap and give this a try. But if I've learned one thing in all my years in the community and on the Internet, doing my work, it's that you truly cannot possibly know the future, and the only way to see how it will unfold is to work your way there. To give something a try. To "run it up the flagpole and see if it's a flag," as someone once said to me.

So, thanks so much!! This has been a blast and I'm so excited for the next phases.

xo!! Leah