I'm constantly thinking about my Etsy business. Spending focused time creating orders, thinking of new ways to expand and grow, or researching new product ideas for viability. Because when you own your own business, you can't afford to let things fall through the cracks. So, when I see opportunities for growth, I jump on it. When I am able to change my creation process to speed up production and increate quality, I make it happen. And when I need to cut our products that just aren't selling,...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Yup. You guessed it. The kiddos had another 4 day weekend which meant I had to switch things up a bit today. I have been working hard on creating killer Etsy listings for my shop, but also have been working on some really incredible things in store for the go-getters here in Maker's Business Coaching! So I had to figure out how I would make it all work today with the kiddos home. I could either sleep in, take 'er easy, and end up doing a whole lot of nothing for my businesses today. OR... I...
5 months ago • 1 min read
It's simple, really. Go to that giant warehouse filled with DIY furniture. Pick out your favorites (after your inevitable 3 hour shopping trip). Load them onto the cart and into your car. Then take them home where the real fun begins. Open the boxes to find instructions inside. Simple picture illustrations make it as easy and non-threatening as possible to assemble said furniture. You begin your furniture construction with one solid swing of the hammer. The metal piece easily glides into the...
7 months ago • 1 min read
Happy New Year, Reader! Can you believe it's January 1, 2025? I have to tell you that because this year ends with a "25" this year feels more like a milestone than other years. Like celebrating the "25th anniversary" of a company or relationship. So it feels like a year to celebrate and a year to strengthen important pillars in my life. And although today I spent zero time working on my plan for this year, I had an incredible day enjoying time with family. Especially since this is the last...
7 months ago • 1 min read
There's something I love about these last few hours before the new year begins. 2024 is coming to a close and we're just about ready to welcome the new year. Another year with 365 brand new days. Because there's nothing I love more than the chance to start anew. To look at the things that didn't go quite as planned or quite as I was hoping and figure out a way to make them better. But along with a new year comes the chance for me to look back on the incredible year I'm saying goodbye to. 2024...
7 months ago • 1 min read
My sister came up to visit from Chicago for Christmas and we had one goal in mind for our day together today: Get to IKEA to find the perfect storage solution for my new product supplies. My studio has become overwhelming as I've added new items to my Etsy business that I have no storage for. So, my sister came to the rescue in the form of an IKEA shopping expedition. Once at IKEA, we knew exactly where to go. There was a specific storage dresser I had in mind and I thought it would be just...
7 months ago • 1 min read
My husband (and I) own two coffee shops here in Milwaukee. He's recently added a coffee roasting branch to the business because his favorite part of coffee is roasting it. And as he's been growing these businesses, the customer needs have also been growing. During the winter months, his bean and hot beverage sales are the top selling items. And during the summer months, his cold brew sales increase dramatically. But cold brew is a very time and labor intensive beverage to make. He's been...
7 months ago • 1 min read
The year was 2014. The day was December 24th. I just woke up and was drinking my first sip of coffee when my phone sound alerted me. Someone messaged me about their Etsy order. I was glad, because I had been trying to reach Abigail about her order since the first week of December. She forgot to include a name for the personalization on her order and I messaged her every other day for 3.5 weeks. At that time, she was the first customer who didn't quickly reply with customization information,...
7 months ago • 1 min read
If you're in the United States, you're probably in a middle of celebrating a 3-day weekend because tomorrow we celebrate Labor Day. My family and I will watch an early morning parade then head to a family cookout for the day. It's the very last day before my kiddos head back to school, so we'll be soaking up every last minute of this summer vacation. And although this Labor Day will be an easy one for me and my Etsy business, that wasn't always the case. You see, just last year I was stuck...
11 months ago • 1 min read