Manifesting, Business, and the Banana Split
I know I just wrote a blog yesterday about manifesting, but I just don't feel like I said enough about the importance of this in life or business. To some, the concept of manifesting might sound a little "wishy-washy," but hear me out. When I reflect on my life, I realize that daydreaming and visualization—those things I was often criticized for as a child—are the same tools that have propelled me forward in business and life.
Let’s start with my school years. Every single report card said the same thing: I talked too much and daydreamed constantly. At the time, these were presented as negatives, but looking back, I see them as strengths. Talking too much? That’s networking. Daydreaming? That’s creative visualization and planning—but in a fun way.
I’ve come to believe that manifesting and daydreaming are one and the same. Manifesting is simply envisioning the life, goal, or achievement you want. It’s about planning—but planning with excitement and purpose. The trick, of course, is coupling that vision with action: research, to-do lists, and, most importantly, believing that you can achieve what you’re dreaming of.
My First Experience with Manifesting: The Banana Split
I clearly remember the first time I manifested something big. I was in Grade 5, and every year our teacher held a banana split contest. The challenge was simple: draw the best picture of him, and the winner would get to enjoy a banana split at the local Tasty Freeze. For me, this was huge. I had never had a banana split, but I wanted one more than anything.
Looking around the class, I noticed a few kids had better artistic skills than me. For a moment, I doubted myself, but then something clicked. I told myself, I’m going to win this. I can do anything I set my mind to. From that point on, I got to work. I was on a mission.
On the day of the big decision, we hung our drawings on the wall. I knew I had it in the bag. By the end of the day, I was sitting across from my teacher at Tasty Freeze, savoring every bite of that banana splitand of courese telling him my whole life story!
Manifesting Domo
Fast forward to my entrepreneurial journey. After selling Ocha Tea Bar, I had a vision: I saw my tea latte powders on the shelves of Urban Fare. I could picture it so clearly—the look, the feel, even the pride of seeing my product there. That’s when the to-do lists began. I stll go into that Urban Fare in Yaletown and take pictures of Domo on the shelf....never gets old!
Building Domo was a lot like that banana split contest. It started with a vision, followed by brainstorming, research, and hard work. Was it easy? Absolutely not. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done—second only to parenting. But the idea of a 9-to-5 job, with its ceilings on what I could achieve, seemed even harder. I wanted to create something without limits, and I was willing to push through the challenges to make it happen.
My Superpower: Underestimating the Challenge
One thing people often admire about me is that when I have an idea, I act on it. My secret? I underestimate how hard and long something will be. This might sound like a flaw, but it’s actually my superpower. By not overthinking or getting overwhelmed, I avoid the paralysis that stops so many would be entrepreneurs from even starting.
Fear of failure can hold people back, but I’ve learned that even an epic failure is a win because it’s packed with lessons and lightbulb moments. Over the 17 years I’ve been building Domo, there have been plenty of low moments, times when I felt like giving up. But I never stayed in that space for long. I kept moving forward because giving up was not an option.
Manifesting the Future
Even now, I lay in bed at night envisioning where Domo will be in a year, five years, or even ten. The thought of leaving behind a legacy—a brand that lives on after I’m gone—is incredibly motivating. I love looking at brands that have been around forever and diving into the stories of their founders. Who started them? What was their journey like? I find it endlessly inspiring.
So, to anyone who thinks manifesting is just daydreaming—you’re right, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about dreaming with intention, putting in the work, and believing in yourself. Whether it’s a banana split or building a business, the steps are the same: envision, act, and keep going. Failure isn’t the end—it’s just another part of the journey.