March 22, 2010
First and foremost, I am so satisfied with my progress in bookbinding skill and in the satisfaction of my customers. I receive amazing customer feedback about their purchases and about the items for sale in my Etsy shop.
But I’m still feeling the same way that I did in my last post. I’ve heard business is slow after Christmas, and that is proving true. The main obstacle I’m facing is not having funds to buy more materials with. In my online research I’ve noticed that successful bookbinders have an overwhelming inventory, are stocked with supplies and it seems that those factors keep them going. Somehow their ability to add creations to their storefront makes people want to buy. My store has been sitting a bit stagnant, and I worry that people notice. They say it takes money to make money. I’m hoping that’s not always entirely true.
I do believe that miracles happen…maybe my creations will start selling like hotcakes, or maybe someone will bless me with a donation, to help make my wish come true.
January 8, 2010
I feel like I’m beginning more than I did three months ago. Business is hard! I’ve slowly sold my first round of items, and for about three weeks there’s been a lull. Without an investor, I started this business from the ground up, literally with about ten dollars. I’m out of money, and I’m kind of disappointed that I used my profits to pay bills instead of buying materials with it. I’m low or out of most of my materials, and I just put about half of my etsy items on sale for four dollars. Most of them are worth more, and it’s kind of sad to put that low of a price tag on them, but I really need more materials. They say that most businesses don’t make a profit in the beginning for the first year. I figured that since my business is at home, I am my only employee and my materials cost isn’t too bad, I’d profit a teeny bit.
I’m optimistic, I’m a great artist and 2010 is my year!
October 22, 2009
If it weren’t for my best friend Sam I’d still be sitting in my attic with paste in my hair looking dazed and confused.
Sam and her husband Tyler own Green As Wee Grow, an organic children’s clothing line. (www.greenasweegrow.com). I thank my stars that she started her business a good year before I began to consider it, because she is a wealth of positive, constructive, juicy, crazy, energizing support and information. I love the crap out of her.
So, in starting something: Have ideas. Do some research. Get some materials. Tell some people about it. Get organized. Stretch your tense muscles, and then…FIND A MENTOR. Whether you start oil painting, the cello, rock climbing, Mary M’Kay makeup, you need the encouragement and advising of a more practiced person.
TGFM.
