Francis Ames' Story
Hi! I'm Francis an avid paper crafter and Cricut machine enthusiast, Cricut and Business Coach and Summit Speaker. I also teach paper crafting, card making and scrapbooking.
I've been a crafter since childhood but in 2008 is when I first turned my passion for paper crafting into a business. I launched my online store on eBay with a 100% satisfaction rating all the while suffering a health event making me unable to walk. This is why I am passionate about teaching others how to make money from home doing what they love. If I can do it so can you.
Below is my story details
In 2011 my health improved and I began to teach scrapbooking, card making, paper crafts and Cricut for Beginners through Michaels' Arts and Crafts (Michaels) store at two locations. There I became a Certified Scrapbooking Instructor through EK Success. I also joined Close to My Heart (CTMH) and began to teach card making and scrapbooking. During this time I also obtained my PHD in Scrapbooking from Close to My Heart. My blog was launched and I won a few design contests online.
In 2012, I was asked to teach at a much larger scale, a Scrapbooking Convention, for both CTMH and Michaels. I choose Michaels and reached one of my goals that year. To teach at a much larger scale like a convention.
By 2018, I took a break from teaching and was no longer with CTMH. I was a major car accident and need time to recover and spend time family.
In 2019, a new business was launched selling Paparazzi jewelry. It was a fun business and it grew quickly. I had won several sales awards and enjoyed all the perks the company gave me. During the COVID-19 pandemic my business was booming so when my full time job downsized me it was a blessing because I was able to keep up with shipping orders.
Another major health event hit during the peak of my booming business. Suffering with chronic back pain I was unable to showcase, ship or even track orders; needing to close my popular jewelry business. By the end of 2020, I needed more back surgery.
In 2022, I had another surgery with an in-planted nerve stimulator. This provided some relief but I am still in chronic pain. After seeing five neurologists, five treatment options, and four surgeries later, there are no viable options left for me.
This was a time of reflection.
Here are a few lessons learned:
* I am not my job, work or occupation (not an identity)
* I have worth even while disabled
* Listen to and care for my body so that it can take care of me
* Ask for help (this is a big one for me)
* Appreciating what I can do
* Finding my purpose - helping others like me:)
* Learn and be patient (technology is a biggy for me)
* Appreciate the journey- celebrating wins and milestone (each subscriber puts a smile on my face)
* Remembering how far you've come
* Focus on the goal
* Don't give up
Even in my recovery, I participated in my first online Holiday Summit for Cricut Crafters in 2022. There was a lot of learning as you go since this was my first online summit. For example, I had to how to learn how to record a video, do editing, create a workbook, create svg files, how to share those files, creating an online course for people buy and build a website. Meanwhile, i had to unexpectedly travel out of state to care for my mother who had major heart surgery and need help with her daily life skills. So I helped my mom, bought some craft supplies, another Cricut machine, and equipment to record my videos. Looking back I am so happy that I made it happen.
After my first summit presentation on Rhinestone Creations, other content creators and summit hosts reached out to me to collaborate with me on summit presentations. in 2023, I participated in four more summits and I'm contracted to do two more in the new year. Summits are international online conferences for Cricut users to learn how to make different types of crafts using their Cricut machine. There are are between 8k to 10k participants/students per summit.
I thought my super power was crafting but it's not it's tenacity! I thrive on challenges. I made a summit and two days later moved out of state. Crazy right? That's tenacity. It's working hard on my mindset. Find a therapist to talk to when you are depressed. My doctors and physical therapist always said they couldn't believe how positive I was despite it all. I admit I was depressed for a while but I was determined not to stay there. Summit hosts finds out what's going on in my life after all my videos and files are complete. They are amazed. At least three people told me that I took all their my excuses away.
What is holding you back? Is it money? Technology? FEAR??? The way to overcoming all of it is by taking one step closer daily. Become resourceful, find free resources, learn, reach out to people you admire in that area of expertise and ask them questions. Nothing ventured is nothing gained.