January 26, 2016

Learning to be Better

I feel like I need to be honest, and that's not always easy to share with others thoughts and feelings when I just want them to see something that I am, but don't always feel confident in this part of myself.  Sounds a bit confusing I know, so let me explain...how I got over the slump of a small business.

When you make something and people see it and say how cool it is, you start to think that maybe you could make more and sell them, since enough people had told you they loved what you did.  So you spend the money it takes to make more, and you spend a bit more money to get your products in front of lots and lots of other people.  Then you wait, you market, you share images, you share pricing, you share discounts and sales but no one is buying from you except your family.  So then you start to wonder and doubt how good you really are.  You start to think that maybe your friends were just being nice, and that even though they said they liked it and though it was cute they would never EVER buy it.  Where does that leave you?

Lots of product supplies, out of money, and you are feeling pretty stupid, and down on yourself.  How do you cope with this part of being a small business owner?  How do you keep a positive attitude when that's the last thing you are feeling? What do you do with your small business?  Your products may be really unique and fun, your prices may be just right (enough to pay for the supplies and give you enough to make it worth your time), but your niche for the business may already be swamped to over flowing and flooding.  How do you work with this type of set back or situation?

All of these questions are really important to ask yourself.  You may not know the answers right away, but don't give up.  Giving up is the worst  thing you can do, because that means you don't see your own worth.  It's okay in situations like this to not feel like using those talents or doing that type of art or craft for a really long time.  Many people need a break after set backs, unwanted situations, and confusing and conflicting analysis about your products.  Take that time, take that break, take time to evaluate your business approach.  Learn from doing some research about what you can do to make better changes.   this way you aren't wasting tie, but you are doing more due diligence and staying in the game by learning from others how to better succeed.

This is what I have been doing for the past little while.  I have felt the burn from lack of support from my friends, who all told me they love what I'm doing, they love my products.  I have felt the sting of worthlessness when you tried so hard to use talents to bring joy to others, but no one wanted what you had to offer.  I took my break, I wallowed in self pity, I decided never to share my talents with anyone ever again.  I decided to never paint or make jewelry again, because I didn't want to get hurt again.  Why? because the people I wanted the most to like what I had to offer didn't like what I had to offer.  And the people I love the most (ii.e. my family) were the only ones who did like what I had to offer, and they were the ones to give me support and enthusiasm with my business.  But I didn't want it from them.  During this time I learned that I am stronger than that, I am more than what my hobbies are.  I am a worth while person, and even though no one likes what I have to offer, why not just do it for myself for fun, and joy, and being creative.

So while I still don't have the desire to pick up a paint brush, or to string a slew of beads together I will take my desire of creation and learn how to make things better.  My goals are: 1. learn to do better photographs of my jewelry, 2. learn how to photograph paintings better, 3. learn to write better, 4. learn how to get creative with cooking because if I can create recipes, and photograph food well, then I'll be able to photograph products a lot better as well.