April 1, 2024
We love to see the success and sales and all the new things small shops bring but what about the real deal not so pretty side of it? This past month was one of my toughest ones yet. It challenged me in ways that I have yet to experience in my entire first year of business. HOORAY, by the way! Love House got to celebrate 1 official year in business on March 10th.
So, can I keep it real with you? It might be too honest and I'm not looking for sympathy, I mean, a virtual hug would be nice ;) but I figure I should share the highs and lows of being a small shop business owner.
Okay, if you're sticking around, buckle up and let's talk about it.
I only locked in one pop up event for the month of March. I had booked a very last minute added one of at the end of the month so I feel like that one doesn't count lol. With that said, I prepped and loaded up on inventory for St. Patricks Day AND Easter. I was expecting to fill in my schedule with pop ups because showing your products in person is one of the best ways to make sales. People can see, touch and feel your excitement for what you've created. Well...that did not happen like I mentioned. Along with some personal stress, my mind just hasn't been in the game 100%. It feels frustrating, sad and almost hopeless. My two previous launches nearly flopped because I slacked on promoting my products, being excited (hello, stress), and not getting more than 1 pop up booked weeks in advance. And as much as I love rain, the gloomy, cold days didn't help in "feeling productive". Tell me I'm not the only one who is extra empowered by the sun and in a better mood overall?
I feel like I finally had a breakdown moment feeling defeated and not knowing what to do next. Do I still want to keep going? Is it even worth it? Why am I doing this? Completing just lost my passion and reason of why I created Love House. Yes, to supplement extra income but there is a much grander reason. It makes me sad to think about quitting and I don't think I will but the feeling of resistance was working against me. I felt like I was taking 3 steps forward and 10 steps back. I'm trying new things for my business and trying to find what suits me best and let me tell you, I'm been having such difficulty and many unplanned delays. Shipments not coming in time or at all, errors with my personal orders and so many things that make me question if I'm being Punk'd. Please tell me you remember that show lol.
Anyway, March was a doozy but it's a new month and I can only pick myself up and try again. Doing my best to stay in gratitude, learn from the lessons and let go of things that are out of my control. Our April schedule is looking great and that makes me feel much better about getting out there again. Sunny days ahead and many big events underway! Did you read this all the way to be the first to know we'll be at Big Hats Day in Clovis April 6th and 7th? We hope to see you there!
Thank you for being here. Your support means the world to me. Reading this blog, liking a post, commenting, sharing and choosing to shop with us gives us energy to keep showing up and try again.
We hope April is filled with beautiful things for you and your loved ones. If this past month was a rough one for you too, let's take a deep breath together to inhale all the good things ahead and exhale all the worries we had. We're so glad you're here.
xoxo,
Victoria