Does your niche market require courage?

Accidentally, coincidently or however you want to call the circumstances – I recently watched a wonderful movie called “Kinky Boots”.

It is the story of a young man, Charlie, who inherits his father’s shoe factory. The declining need for the kind of shoes they usually make and the loss of a big contract prompt the young man to look for other opportunities and he more or less coincidently finds a fantastic niche market and even the perfect designer for his new boots. But although the perspectives are great, he is a bit hesitant.

The reason: The fabric is situated in Northampton and the majority of people who live there are very conservative (just the kind of people who would buy the old fashioned shoes the fabric used to produce).
His idea: to make shoes and boots for transvestites.
His designer: Lola/Simon, Drag-Queen and owner of the club where the transvestites meet.

The story shows the development of two very different men who have made very different choices about how to cope with their fathers’ suppressions and how their professional and business success is interdependent with their personal development.

It is a story of persistence, sense of responsibility, commitment, humanity and humility, and most of all, a story of courage. The courage to be who you are, to stand up for your dream, the courage to take a risk, to think outside the square and to think big.

What I like most about it is that the movie is based on a real story. And these kind of stories happen again and again every day. You also have a story in you that is worth mentioning. Whether you think of starting a business or just recently did, step up on the ladder of responsibility or if you want to swap careers – inevitably you will have to learn new people and/or professional skills before you can do it or at least, to keep you there.

Transition Guidance will soon be offering an e-book called “Inspired Leadership – How To Motivate Yourself And Others” which is designed to support you in asking yourself the right questions and to assist you in your own personal and professional development, whichever you need first or more of. Check it out.