How I Started Stay Driven
When I first started this blog/brand, I never actually planned on having a business. It kind of just happened...
One day I was sitting at home with my pen and paper, writing down notes when the words 'stay driven' came to me.
I remembered how a friend told me that they found me to be highly motivated and that I inspired them to get out and explore and never give up. This instantly put a smile on my face and gave me the crazy idea of "What if I had my own platform to share all my journeys to inspire and motivate more people?! To spread a positive message and to inspire people to keep not only their cars driven, but themselves driven?!"
So I grabbed the keys to my R34, got behind the wheel, and began to think some more shit.
From that moment on, hundreds of ideas flooded my mind and one idea sparked another, another and another. I couldn't stop saying the words 'stay driven' and thinking about what it meant to me. I did some research at the time and discovered that there were no other automotive websites that had a motivational twist to it, and no other females who were car enthusiasts had a platform like this.
I thought this could be the start of something amazing...
And so it was!
I decided to get a few stickers made up, and I started placing them on my personal items like my laptop, the back of my phone, and just anywhere that I wanted to constantly see them to keep reminding myself to just stay driven and to get this baby on the road.
Soon after friends started wanting the stickers to place on their cars so I got some more made up and handed them out at local car meets and builds. And since I was heavily influenced by the Japanese car scene and culture, I also got some stickers made up in Japanese. Then a few people on IG started asking how they could get their hands on some, so I decided to add an online shop to my blog. At first I was using Tumblr (does anyone else still use that thing?) then Big Cartel, then I made the switch to Squarespace.
Since then I've been humbled to see my stickers placed on some crazy cars all around the world, and it's allowed me to travel to some of the most beautiful places and events in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the US.
Throughout the journey, I've met some incredible people who have taught me some invaluable lessons which I try my best to pass on to others. I've also been able to collaborate with some amazing brands including Nissan when they gave me a car for my recent road trip!
I also created more stickers, lanyards, apparel and air fresheners to act as another means of reminding people to stay driven when times are tough. And provided free wallpapers to hopefully inspire people to get out and explore and to create their own content.
One thing I have learned is that just like shifting gears in your car, you can also shift your path in life. I went through so many ups and downs over the last couple of years but I kept pushing forward. If you're feeling like you're stuck in a rut or feeling lost and unsure where to go with life, just take each day as it comes, try to stay driven, and never give up.
Tomorrow is a new day.
I want this brand and platform to be a place that inspires, motivates and drives you to get out there and chase your own dreams. Whether that be to get the best lap time around the track or to ace your final exam, or perhaps you're thinking about starting your own blog/brand too, whatever it may be I truly hope what I create and blog about helps you in some way.
I would have never envisioned that staying driven and fueling this passion would have gotten me to where I am today. Each time I felt like giving up, or started to compare myself to others, I simply looked down at my sticker and kept chasing. Now, halfway across the world in the land of opportunity, I'm still chasing my dreams whilst hoping to inspire others.
When you sit in your car and get behind the wheel, I want you to forget about the stresses of the outside world. Your car is your getaway.
Your dreams are achievable as long as you stay driven...
