So, here’s the deal: I’ve been wanting to write more. Not just posts that are easy to write, but posts that are harder to write. I like the challenge, but in all honesty I feel like I’m being prompted into this challenge.
Sharing more about our journey and what it’s really like to run a handmade e-commerce shop while at home with our 8 month old, who is on the verge of crawling (help me Jesus) while being fully present with those around me and still finding time for myself during those fringe hours. Those kinds of posts.
But also posts about running a handmade e-commerce shop.
It’s been five years since I started. What worked then doesn’t necessarily work now, and I’d like to think I’ve learned a few things since then ;)
Those blog & business posts I used to write? I miss them terribly.
I have dreams about writing more of them, like a column.
Ok, and now writing that I feel like all nakey in front of a large group of people.
(Why is being brave so hard to do sometimes?)
Would you read more blog & business posts?
And if not, what does this community want to be reading here?
I know the best way to get started is to just get started. So this is me getting started :)
Please leave a comment below, or email me if you’d like to remain a bit “anonymous” to the rest of the group: gussy AT gussysews DOT com
Thank you so very much…
One of my favorite quotes: Inspiration is all around you.
xo
Yes please, bring it on! I love your projects, and it’s also fun to hear about your personal life, plus learning more about how you run your business would be awesome! Thank you for considering this, you are an inspiration to me!!!
@Debbi, thank you Debbi!
Yes, please! I would love to hear all about what you’ve learned and how you do it!
@Morgan, Anything specific? :)
Hello, sweet friend. I would LOVE to read your heart and I think/know your heart is your family and running your business and God, of course. I would love for you to write about your personal experience because, you know what? It’s SO unique and I’m sure there are others out there, wanting to pursue their dreams and have no clue how to balance it all, or they feel like they MUST balance it all and they need to read what you have to write. They need someone to relate to. That’s the beauty of blogging, we each have a story to tell. Please blog the hard stuff. We all need to read it and I certainly want to!
@katy., I need to remember that just how I enjoy reading others story and the quirks of their day and how unique/amazing it is, the same is true about me, too. Thank you for the encouragement. xoxo
@Gussy Sews, Of course! Anytime.
I think my problem is building a following on any form of social media and also building relationships with others in the handmade community. i find it hard to reach out to others without feeling like I am coming off like a crazy person. I do a lot better in person meeting people, online can feel like creeperville sometimes!
@Erin R,
I fell the exact same way, Erin. It’s hard because it’s hard to get in and not feel like your’e trying to do it for self promotion, but that’s just what I need. I have an Etsy shop. I am one of like 3 people on Etsy that sell what I do, but I still am having a hard time getting sales…getting blog visitors…feeling like I’m not just doing it for nothing.
@Erin R, Do you have a small group of friends (flesh or online) that you can help promote each others work? You can encourage each other and offer advice when needed? :) That’s something that’s been very helpful for me with my business. Also, 5 years ago when I was starting out I was totally THAT GIRL who wouldn’t shut up about her shop and ruffles and yada yada… and so I hope I wasn’t a creeper ;) Remember it’s normal to take many, many, many impressions before a purchase is made. Keep sharing and believing in yourself, and make sure you have people around you that believe in you, too! (Put me on your list!)
Yes! That would be so interesting to read about! :)
Go Do It!!
I know it feels hard, but if God has laid this on your heart and you have lots of support, then go and don’t look back!!
Blessings!
yes please!!!!!! please please write more about what you’ve learned from running a business. there are just so few resources out there. i’m just getting started and would love to learn from someone further down the road.
@Cathy, Do you have a couple things in mind that you’d like more resources on?
I have been reading your blog for a while now, and I love reading about how you have grown your handmade business and evolved over the years. I really loved the Handmade Biz in 31 days series, I would love to see more posts like that!!
Your blog is a great encouragement! So amazing to be able to follow people from around the world and learn from each other and share stories of real life, the good and the challenging! Thank you!
I think when you write about business and creativity it’s always interesting. I also really love it when you write about God or your life in the context of your spirituality/ revelations you’ve had. They seem to be something I relate to! Thank you. X
@Anna, Thank you Anna :)
Absolutely Maggie!
I’ve learned & continue to learn so much from you about the “How To’s” on running a handmade business.
Just the other day I popped over and “studied” one of your post on shipping.
Thanks for all that I continue to learn from you Maggie!
You are a tremendous inspiration!
xo
And that little man of yours is an absolute doll-baby! xo Bauer too of course!
@teresa, oh Teresa, you’re one of a kind :) thank you for your comment! xoxo
YES! No more is needed to my answer – but YES. As a handmade business owner and mama of two rambunctious boys (age 3 & 1) I KNOW the struggles, and LOVE to hear how others make it work. You always have a way with words…. and if you need OUR support and help in the process – – – write, write, write mama!!!!
Gussy, this is definitely going to sound stalkerish but I’m gonna tell you anyway. We don’t know each other, but you have been on my heart in a big way – I’ve been praying for you, girl! I didn’t know why you were on my heart, buy ya were. So God has got you covered, even with people you don’t know.
Anyway, YES! Blog more… about life, about business. I will tell you that you have been a huge inspiration to me as I’ve gotten my blog and handmade business going. I’ve read every one of your posts about the biz side of things (also read the books you suggested) and have implemented several of those things into my blog/biz. And when you write about what God is doing in your life, it’s so inspiring. God has given you these gifts and talents. If He’s prompting you to use them more, GO FOR IT! Who are we to say no, right? :D
You’ll do great!!
Blessings!
Heather
@Heather, Thank you for taking the time to write that out… so meaningful & helpful! Thank you Heather :)
Would love to see more like that!
I miss your craft tutorials and diy posts (finger knitting, Joy tea towel, fabric pumpkins, etc). =)
Hi Maggie! I have been reading your blog for a long time now, though I don’t always leave comments. I guess that is kinda stalkerish in a way… :/ But your story has been so inspirational to me. I have dreams of one day starting my own business, and being able to stay home with my children (future children that is, God willing!). I would absolutely love to read more about what its really like to be a stay at home mom while running your business. And hearing how the Lord is leading you in this journey would be wonderful too. Sometimes I think that this little dream of mine is too small for Him to care about. But clearly its not, because He has lead you on an incredible path. Anyway, all that to say, yes. Go for it! I would love to read whatever you have to share! :)
God bless! :)
@Sarah, it’s never ever too small. Even the mustard seed isn’t too small for Him :)
I loved the business posts you did, but his is your blog, and you should write about what you want to write about. I enjoy all of them.
Yes please! I too have an Etsy shop and am wondering how to make it more successful.
I would love it!
Hi Maggie. I found your blog through Elise Blaha Cripe’s post about Etsy vs. Big Cartel. I’ve been looking for a blog like yours with plenty of handmade business tips and how to balance being a work-at-home mama. I’m not there yet (still have my day job), but I’m working towards it! I’m coming to the end of year 2 of my handmade business, so I want to learn and follow someone who’s been there. So please, by all means, write on!
@Bhea, Oh Elise! She is a dear. I adore her very much!!! :)
I would love to read those kinds of blogs from you also! All in all, I am so encouraged and inspired by what you write here. Blessings!
Yes! I love reading your blog and those business tip and inspiration posts were what led me to stumble upon your blog via pinterest a few months ago. I am juggling a handmade business with caring for a 3.5 yr old and a 15 mo old full time, and I find that balancing it all is an evolution with every new stage and changes every few weeks or months with young kids! I love reading and learning from other moms/small business owners who are going through this same thing.
@Alli, Girllllll, you have your hands full! The more mobile Maxwell gets the more often I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy the moments of craziness, to breathe… praying the same for you, too :) Thanks for your comment!
I don’t have a business so I usually skip those posts. I do have kids (my own Max Whitley) so I always read your posts about Max and about your learning life as a parent. I do have a relationship with Jesus so I read those posts too.. I craft when I can so I read those posts. I guess all this to say, find out who your target audience is, and cater to them.
YES! I would love to read more about how you make it all work. It is really, really tough to juggle it all and do it well.
But I feel like most people gloss over how tough it really can be, instead focusing solely on the rewards, and it makes me feel like I’m completely failing at this. I struggle to tend to three kids (1, (almost) 3 and 7), maintain a home, nurture my relationship with my husband, find time for friends, run my business AND make time for myself. When I feel like I’m doing one well in turn something else feels neglected. Most days it just feels like I’m not doing any of them well at all and it makes me question if this is really the best time in my kids’ lives to be trying to build a business.
It’s reassuring to hear the honesty from other people about how it’s not easy for them either. It makes me feel a little less guilty about letting my husband feed the kids dinner so I can get some time to myself one night here and there, and a little less anxious about waiting until tomorrow to work on an order because I need the time with my husband.
We’re all here because there is something that draws us in — we love your products, we feel a connection to your journey, or just because it’s been a joy to watch Maxwell grow. So write what you want to write, what you feel compelled to write; we’ll continue to read.
yes! just do it! I would love to read something like that.
Generally if I see a blogger has read something I’m not interested in, I just skip over it and come back the next day. No need to worry about it… and definitely not worth people posting negative comments (not sure if that is the case with you, but I’ve seen people do that on other blogs). Forget about the judgement.
I would love to hear more of your indie biz wisdom, Maggie! I have a 15 month old boy and while working out of the home isn’t an option, I’m exploring ways of making a little bit of $$ on the side to help support our family. Like you said, the best way to start is to just get started! But a little more advice under my belt would be good, too ;) Thank you for sharing your dreams with us! xoxo
That’s funny. I actually came to your blog today to find one of your blog posts about running a small business. So, I vote yes on more business posts. Yes to the challenge!
to be blunt:absolutely! i’ve been reading your blog for a couple of years now and i love the old and new posts. i think whatever is in your heart is what you have to do—you know the direction you need to go in! i’ll be here reading :). buena suerte (good luck)!
Oh, my, YES!!! I LOVE your businessey posts, and miss them too. I have a handmade business (pltmarket.com) and three kiddlets (ages 4 and under) and DESPERATELY need to hire someone – I know you’ve talked about it in the past, but would love to hear the nitty gritty about how to do it, how you decide what they “helper” does and what you do, etc. There’s pretty much nothing I wouldn’t love to chat about over coffee with you :D
@Elizabeth Smillie, Could we please just meet up for coffee already? I mean, c’mon :) OK — you want hiring help… here’s a tip: hire out what you don’t enjoy doing. OR, what ANYone could do. Then keep the tasks that only YOU can do for you :) What part of your business/product process is the busiest? Consider hiring help for that task. Post an ad on Craigslist or FB. Interview them via email first. Or Skype with them. Then meet at a coffee shop for a second interview. Have them come by your home and see the workspace, if they’ll be working in your home. Then if it’s a good fit, hire them! Give them a project to complete and evaluate their work once it’s completed. Take it one step at a time, but remember to keep stepping. If you hesitate you’ll regret it ;)
Hi Maggie!
I do love reading your personal posts because it’s all too often that I see handmade businesses and lives being made rosy and perfect. That’s just not the case. Moreover, I really miss your business posts.
I recently up and started a handmade business and am having a lot of difficulty getting my products noticed. I don’t have much yet, which could be adding to the problem, and Etsy seems very overcrowded. So any inspiration regarding social media/building an audience, how you reached out to get your products noticed, etc would be helpful.
Thanks for asking!
Hollie from myhomephilosophy.com
@Hollie, Yep, I feel the same way about Etsy. Having a blog has helped me tremendously with having a solid platform for sharing my products. I’d also encourage you to have a nice selection of items available in your shop. You can decide how much is necessary, but offering a selection will round out your shop and help to give it life :) It’ll also help to attract a few additional prospective customers, as they’re more likely to find something for them! xoxo
I would love to read blog and business posts!
I would love more business articles. I’ve really enjoyed your past ones.
I LOVE your business posts since I am currently working on expanding my handmade business. I do have to say though, I am loving your family posts more & more, especially since I am now almost 10 wks along with my first ‘lil one! I love hearing and seeing your thoughts and photos of you growing family. Those posts are so helpful to me also.
@Lu, a bebeeeee! So excited for you Lu! Congratulations :)
As a stay-at-home mum and fledgling small handmade shop owner, I have to say that I value your blog so much! You truly are an inspiration and any advice you offer, I would take on board in a flash. You have such a gift with words… let God use that :)
@Alex, wow!!!! Thank you Alex!
Yes! Your indie biz posts are actually what drew me to your blog in the first place. As for specifics, I feel like there are a lot of resources out there to show people how to get started, and lots of posts covering the basics of SEO, shipping, branding, pricing, etc. The value I think YOU have, is your experience in taking a small handmade business to the next level.
I’m currently on the brink of making the decision to quit my day job and stay home full time with my 2 year old. Some months my business makes plenty, while other months are SO SLOW. Some months I’m so busy in the nights and weekends that I feel like I have to hire help just to survive, while others I spend praying for something to do. So I guess my questions are less about how to start a handmade business, and more about how to take a growing handmade business and turn it into a sustainable career. I would love to know more about wholesaling, hiring help (both physical and virtual), conferences/coaching events that are helpful, and most importantly, how to keep the momentum going.
And I love that you show real life. The balance between family, personal time, and a business is hard to maintain! We couldn’t do it without faith in God, and I love that you keep Him at the forefront of many of your posts.
Wow…that may be the longest comment I’ve ever posted, but this is something that I’m passionate about (and I think a lot of other people are, too). You are doing an awesome job, and I am so excited to see where this goes. Thank you!
Inspiration IS all around you! Go Gussy, we are all behind you 100%.
YES PLEASE! I think I have read and re-read all the blogging/biz posts on your blog more than once..ok, more than twice. :) I’m working on getting my own handmade shop “out there” and expanding. I’m currently working on it A LOT with little to show for it…I know that this too will pass but I’d love all the tips I can get! I’m sure you went thru similar times in your own shop, so I’d love to hear how you handled it all. Thank you Maggie! :)
I have enjoyed all your blog and business posts !! YES keep them coming they are great !! :-)
[…] for all the wonderful feedback on my post yesterday. This community is the […]
Hi Maggie – omy YES YES YES – I love your blog, love your shop, and love when you write from your heart. I am in a totally different phase of my life than you (I’m 54) and having lost my own son, I find myself reading more blogs of young mothers who are just starting on their journey into motherhood. I loved being a mom SO MUCH – and my mind is filled with so many memories of my early days as Jonathan’s mom :):) I follow so many blogs like you and Lisa, and Kelly’s Korner, and Sarah Markley, etc……It’s like I am trying to recapture those wonderful days thru your eyes.
So….long answer to your question: yes, you write so beautifully. And you always leave me wanting more.
With love and admiration,
Diane
Yes!! Please begin sharing again! I’ve read all of your business tips and have been so inspired by your guidance and would love to read more about developing a more well rounded approach to running a business AND a blog, because it seems you have to be connected to all of social media to really bring in business and growth…
How about some posts on what has changed over the years in your biz? It would be interesting to see all the changes you’ve had to make/adjust to with the growth of your blog & shop, moving to LA, having the most adorable baby, etc, etc. :)
Just reading what a successful handmade owner is up to so encouraging! You may think something is common sense – but it is a complete ah-ha moment to us!
I love your handmade biz posts. They are what inspired me to take the step to stop sewing just for myself/family and start sewing/creating for others and also for a profit.
As a mama of three 5 and younger (the youngest is just 9 weeks old), I’m finding it hard to get back into my sewing and blogging groove after a short “maternity leave”. I have dreams of not just reopening my shop though, but of growing it into something bigger.
Reading about mothers, such as yourself, who are following their dreams is so inspiring, and any advice/lessons you’re willing to share with those of us that are trying to get a foot in the handmade market greatly appreciated!
Yes!!!!! I come back here ALL THE TIME to reference your Handmade Biz posts. ALL THE TIME!!
I’d love to have more posts about the handmade biz! I’m just starting out and really need to learn more about getting a following, planning my time out, paying myself, and not going broke in the process ;)
Notre sociétéMETEO Bayonne était sous les eaux et la mer s invitée dans le casino de la Grande plage de Biarritz mardi matin pour la deuxième fois en deux mois.