You've heard me say it time and time again - Dreams Do Come True. But have you ever wondered How? What goes into making your dreams a reality? When I discuss the trajectory of my career from writing a blog about where to buy antiques in Europe to launching a 1-woman business to becoming a global empire with antique buying tours in 16 countries - I simplify things and say that the secret to my success was putting one stiletto clad foot in front of another. But what does that mean?

Every day I took - and continue to take - one step forward. While that seems easy to say in retrospect - trust me - when you're in the trenches - it's difficult to even know where to start! The first step is the hardest. It all feels... overwhelming. Okay, let me get real - I am 11 years in the business - and I still get overwhelmed! But what I've learned when I feel overwhelmed all I have to do is ONE MIT: Most Important Thing.

It's my #LifeHack. Regardless of any situation - personal or professional - I can always do One Thing. And that One Thing leads to the next thing.

If you want to start an antiques business - Don't think about STARTING an antiques business. That can feel daunting. It can feel overwhelming. Instead, think about LEARNING HOW to start an antiques business.

Make Learning About Starting An Antique Business your One Thing You Do until it leads to the next step. If you want your Dreams To Come True - I challenge you to set aside anywhere from 10 minutes a day, to 30 minutes 3 times a week to do research on starting your business. Set a date on your calendar with yourself and make it a priority to LEARN how to be an antiques dealer. Treat it like school. Buy a 3 ring binder. Buy a notebook. Save a folder on your laptop.

To get started on the 1st day you might simply want to google and read an article on how to be an antique dealer. The next day you might want want to read an interview with an antiques dealer on how he got his start. The 3rd day you could research local antique shops. One the 4th day look at your calendar and schedule visits to local antique malls and fairs. You don't have to go to the shops or fairs. Simply make a date to put them on your calendar.

Day 5 and beyond I want you to start a Pinterest board with various antiques you would like to sell. Dream Big. I want you to start defining your style. If money were no object what would you WANT to sell? This is going to take more than one day - it will be a continual thing you work on as you build your fantasy inventory.

Create a list of your favorite antique dealers and then continue to add to that list. One one day you can choose one antique dealer you like and define why you like them. Articulate why and what. This will lead you to determine how you can do it too.

You need to understand what type of antique stores and inventory you're drawn to. You're figuring out what type of antique dealer you want to be when you grow up. And once you know what you like, let's talk money. How much are these antiques selling for? Get yourself familiar with prices. You don't realize it but you're building your business plan. Getting started starts with one step.

Did you notice the domino effect of what I've just done? Each step you take ORGANICALLY will lead you to the next step.

• Don't choose 20 things to do in one day.
• Simply choose 1 thing.
• And the next time you sit down to do research, choose the next thing.

The key point in making progress in pursuing your dream is to continue to advance - one step at a time. Your dreams come true when you do the steps...

Toma is in Venice with antiques industry icon and legend Olga Granda, someone she admires and who makes things happen. This podcast was recorded over lunch at Terrazza dei Nobili - we apologize that it's a bit difficult to hear - but well worth the effort!

Meet Olga C. Granda: Cultural Entrepreneur

Olga began antiquing as a child traveling through Europe with her father, an antique dealer. Growing up in Miami, Olga left home at 14 to train as a ballet dancer and fell in love with the art and history and travel. After her early career in dance, Olga joined her father in his antiques business Alhambra Antiques in Miami for 14 years. Olga is an expert in European art and antiques and earned the respect and admiration of dealers and clients worldwide for her keen eye and exceptional taste. Fluent in four languages, Olga's career merges 21st-century technology with the arts, both visual and performing.

In around 2007 and the early days of blogging, through Toma's blog The Antiques Diva she met Olga and her blog Dancing Through Paris in around and they met in Paris at the Mercanteinfiera Antique Show a few years later.

Olga's experience as a dealer fueled her drive to pursue her own point of view and create new trends in the antiques industry as the Founder and Chief Operating Officer of The Highboy, an online antiques marketplace for exceptional antique and vintage furniture, art and decor.

Today Olga is a cultural entrepreneur and the Artistic Director and CEO of Sanctuary of the Arts, an artist-led institution created for the purpose of healing, empowering, and uplifting.

Talk to you soon,

Ciao Ciao

Toma Clark Haines, The Antiques Diva

Also check out The Antiques Diva here:

• The Antiques Diva & Co: Antique buying tours and sourcing services in 16 countries on 3 continents
• Antique Dealer Training Program: Antique dealer training and mentorship & services for new and experienced dealers
• The Antiques Diva Furniture Collection by Aidan Gray: Reproductions using classic design mixed with modern materials
• Republic of Toma: Custom jewelry designed by Toma, inspired by her love of antiques and travel
• The Business of Antiques: Podcast on making your antiques business sexy, modern and fun...and PROFITABLE!