Starting a small business: Did I do the right thing?

This week has been tough. Starting a small business is always a slow process. You need to establish a foundation and then be consistent with content and updates. But when you get into the thick of it, it can be overwhelming. I took a day off from posting and barely touched my iPad. I needed to clear my head and get grounded. A friend said, "You need to figure out why you're doing this." If he's reading this, I'm paraphrasing a great and encouraging conversation.

I'm sitting here in my local coffee shop thinking about that. Why am I doing this? Anyone who says they started a business and isn't concerned with money is lying to some degree. I didn't start this thinking I could quit my day job, but wouldn't that be cool? I started this to have an outlet for my art, and if I make money in the long run, great.

For years, I struggled with the idea of putting my art out there. The fear of rejection is real. The thought that someone would hate my work is terrifying. I've worked hours and hours on my art to sometimes not even get a like on a post. It can be frustrating, but you have to start somewhere. Thinking back on the art I did years ago, I'm leaps and bounds ahead of where I was. That just means that in a year or two, I might not even recognize the work I'm doing now. These are the thoughts and emotions that sit with me, but I have to do what makes me happy in the long run. Eventually, I will gain my cult following (LOL)!

Now, coming from a more business mindset, you need to factor in covering your costs at minimum, or it will end up being a very expensive and time-consuming hobby. You need to set up boundaries for your business, or better yet, milestones. If I sell X amount, I can afford to upgrade my printer or something like that. But be strict with yourself, and know that many have done with even less. I think about major musicians from back in the day who had to record on tape and peddle them for like a dollar until they were discovered. You need to have realistic goals and expectations for the growth of your business. Also, as my aforementioned friend said, give yourself grace to fail or miss those goals.

It's important to really sit down and realistically figure out your costs and what you can afford to eat in the beginning. For small businesses, you need to be careful not to overextend yourself. There are so many resources out there for each of your own crafts. Whether it's woodworking, knitting, or anything else, check out TikTok, YouTube, etc. There is someone who is starting where you did and is giving advice on how to set yourself up for success.

This was a major brain dump today. Thank you for listening to my rant.

Much Love,

Josh