Love, Lois Amy

Whoever said starting a small business was easy, ha! I'd love to meet them, pick their brain, and learn their ways because it is in no way at all easy. Rewarding maybe. Even peaceful and fun at times. Easy however, well that isn't a word I'd use.

Starting a small business is in no way for the faint of heart. It takes a lot to get things rolling, and at times it takes a lot out of you.You have to be supremely patient or you won't get to the end. It isn't a cut and dry thing, where you know what you want to do so you get the stuff needed to get going and you're off to the races.There's SO much more that goes into a small business than an idea, supplies and time.

First off, the amount of research that must go into this crazy brain child of yours is insane. I don't think I did this much research for college papers! Google will be your best friend, and I've found that TikTok is pretty dang valuable too. And of course I have to show all the love to pinterest because I've gained so much from that site. Maybe I entered this full of naivety, but honest to goodness y'all, I didn't realize what all I'd need to know. I had that fanciful illusion of buy some stuff, make said stuff, slap it online and BOOM!, sales. Whoa boy was I wrong on all counts.

Soon enough I learned that there was a LOAD of things that I didn't know, and a lot of those things I'm still figuring out. I cannot tell you how many searches I've done on starting a small business, or what hashtags work on which platform the best. I've had to research how best to price my creations, how to expand on my products so that there is something for everyone, men, women, kids, and yes, even the 4 legged loves in our worlds. The one solid conclusion that I have reached at this point is that there is always something to learn that will make you better and more successful. If you think you know all you need to know, I'd wager you are wrong. There will always be a pin to save, a note to jot down, and new concepts to keep you going forward.

One thing that I have learned, and this one may shock you, you don't have to be rich to start up a business. In fact, you don't have to have a ton of money in your wallet at all. I know, I know what your thinking. Starting a business from the ground isn't cheap and you have to have a nice bit of funds set aside to make it work. I'm telling you now, I am proof that you do not have to have a lot to bring the dream to fruition.

I have JUST in the last month or so started up a new job that pays decent. Decent mind you, not get rich this year kinda checks. Before that I was making barely above minimum wage, caring for two children, with a disabled husband on a limited monthly social security payment. Bills and daily life takes a good portion of our funds. Many would, and I am sure have, laugh at my dream of making my business a success on my budget. Hell, even I did for a while. Its also why I talked myself out of the dream before I ever took the first step many times.

In my determination, I have found that if you really are passionate about it and if you really want to make it work you will. Sure, you'll have to sacrifice things (Dunkin instead of Starbucks?) and it may take you a year instead of six months, but if you want it bad enough, you'll make it happen. This may just be where that patience stuff comes in to things too.

I found what I wanted to do. I did research. I found what designs I thought would sell best and the most. I bought the supplies to make a handful of that thing. I sold those. Turned around and bought more designs, more supplies. Now I can make more of that first thing, and add to my inventory which means selling more. Turn those sales into supplies. Repeat. Yeah, you're not seeing a profit yet, you're sinking all that you make right back into supplies and tools, but tell me this. What business, big or small, starts out day one with solid profit? Exactly.

Start an amazon wish list. Use it to curate a list of supplies that you'd like to have in your stockpile. Share that list with family, friends, whoever believes in you. Offer deals if someone sends you something from that list. Get creative about updating your inventory. If you want this, you will find a way to make it happen.

Another easy option to make extra money to be able to fund your dream? Uber, Doordash, Instacart... see where I'm going with this? Personally I have uber in my arsenal and it's great in a pinch. They run specials, or quests, that make you even more. A few weeks ago, I got $100 extra just for doing three food deliveries. Add to that the thirty I made on the actual deliveries and I had $130 bucks that I was able to sink back into my dream, and I had it in under an hour. There's a way.

Sometimes you have to give things to get things. Here's what I mean. I make soaps and such. Now and then, I make up a small batch of smaller bars and such, and then I give those out to folks at work, or to friends, as a gift, whatever it takes. Note that I don't give out full size products and always let the recipient know that they can order more and customize it to their preferences. Now that they have a taste of my product, they can see for themselves if they like it, if it works for them, and they know their money will be spent well.

Promotion is key. Social media is key. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, it all will make a difference. I'm horrible at posting and bragging on myself and what I do. It just isn't who I am. That's a hurdle I'm having to get over because if you don't believe in what you're putting out why the hell should anyone else? Self promotion in the beginning is a huge element of starting up your business. Promotion is what will drive customers your way. You can always pay someone to do this stuff for you, but with a little time you can do it for yourself on a limited budget. Invest in a photo editor app or site, search out free images, fonts, and more to make your ads jump out. I use picmonkey.com and it runs about $12 a month. It lets you set branded colors and fonts so that whatever you create its all you. See that picture that started this? I did it and while it is simple it is what I wanted. Also, i have no affiliation with picmonkey, so this is an honest kinda post.

Finally, to wind this post down, decide if your dream is bigger than the excuses and take that first step. No matter how small or simple, step out of your comfort zone and show the person in the mirror that they can do this. I heard Steve Harvey I believe say something to this effect:

"Find something that you're good at and can make ten bucks doing. Do that ten times and you will have $100. Take it and do it ten more times and you'll be at $1000. Now do it ten more times. You've made $10,000. Don't stop now though. Do it just ten more times. $100,000. Do you know what doing it just ten more times will get you? A cool million."

So, do that thing you're good at, mowing a lawn, cutting hair, painting a picture, whatever it is, do it ten times for ten bucks a time. Then, do it just ten more times....

In my next post I'll talk about ways to help your followers, friends, and family know that when you ask for their support, you are not asking for their money. I'll give you ways that support is free for anyone, and support for you is always a good thing. Thanks for reading my ramblings. Thanks for joining me on my ride, cause to be honest and clear, I just backed this old car out of the garage on my journey. Shop small. Shop DIY. Support other small ventures. Take that step. And do it just ten more times.

Love,

Lois Amy