It was an idea floating in my head for years, a business proposition that I intended for myself. Two years ago, when I updated my profile on Instagram I made a bulleted outline of my businesses, namely, Teacup Ideas, Chicken Studio, and lastly Garnet 403 (even if it was nonexistent then). Even back then, I knew I was gonna make Garnet 403 happen, it was all a matter of time. Garnet 403 is the term used by our friends to refer to our home. Throughout the years we've hosted a myriad of guests and parties, and because of that, I've associated our unit as a brand that I knew I wanted to develop eventually. It sounded just right with two syllables for the gemstone the building was named after plus the three numbers easily rolled out anyone's tongue. It had a good ring to it. It felt right. It fitted my vision. If anything, I visualized Garnet 403 to be a label for whatever product I would come up with, and ultimately I want to build it into a cafe or Airbnb or hostel in some far future. As of the moment, it seems far-fetched considering the situation, but something my sister-in-law told me gave me the confidence to use the name now, much sooner than I had initially planned. She said, "You know, your brand and your business will be right where you are." And that statement settled well in my gut as it is true, where I am will be where my brand is, and if I plan to settle someplace else in the future, that is where Garnet 403 will be.
