Business Growth One Step at a Time

Have you ever thought about selling something you love to make? Maybe you’ve even wondered if you could you could start a business selling that something?

When I was very young my mother regularly sold her “famous” cheesecakes. And today my Mother-In-Law has a successful pound cake and fudge sauce business.

But what if what you love to make is a craft? Let me just say, that if that’s you, I’m jealous! I am not crafty at all. Not one bit.

However, if I was crafty, I’d totally be selling my products on Etsy.

One of the great things about the internet is that if you LOVE to make something you can make a business out of it. All you have to do is take it one step at a time.

Pin It!

Sell What You Love To Make on Etsy

I’ve been a shopper on Etsy for over 10 years and I’ve always admired the small handmade shops. The makers who share their crafts and products with the rest of us.

And just like any business, the first step to selling on Etsy is to just start.

Melanie, a homeschooling Mama for example, loves to crochet. It’s one of her favorite ways to relax.

Sitting in a comfy chair she makes afghans, hats, shawls, purses and bags, and even gloves and mittens for winter.

Take it One Step at a Time

I love to talk with small business owners in all stages and types of businesses. I’m always curious about what motivates them to start and grow their business. And curious about how they balance their business with the rest of their life.

I had the opportunity to talk with Melanie, and even though her crochet shop is very new, she was kind enough to share her mindset with me.

When I asked Melanie how she balances her family responsibilities and starting her business she shared “I try to keep to a specific project schedule each day so that I can make a concerted effort to just focus on the projects that I have set for that day. It helps to keep me from getting overwhelmed with all of my life priorities.”

I stopped to reflect on Melanie’s simple and spot on mindset. The days and weeks that I follow a schedule are some of my most productive. And if you are anything like me, I’m guessing they are yours too.

As someone in the trenches of a brand new Etsy Shop, I asked Melanie what advice she would give to others considering starting a business. “Take it one step at a time. Since I am myself relatively new to the process, I am just starting to realize that. I need to focus on one part of it at a time and build it step by step.

Take it slow and learn it thoroughly. Don’t try to do everything at once.”

Melanie’s advice is great for a solo entrepreneur with any type of business and in any stage of business growth. Often times it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and momentum of a new business only to have a wall crumble down because the foundation wasn’t built well.

Or we try to run too fast, do all the things at one time, resulting in nothing getting done well.

To be successful it is important to set your goals, make your must to list then take it one step at a time. Having a schedule or routine for your businesses must do’s you can free up more time for creating.

It’s okay, and even helpful, to have a flexible routine that allows for creativity and life’s instructions.

Conclusion

Even though her business is very new Melanie already has a great outlook on her path to successes. I asked what the best advice she had received so far was and wasn’t surprised when her answer followed the great mindset she shared earlier.

“It is a marathon, not a sprint. I will not become rich overnight.”

On the days (and nights) of working on your businesses in the margins – and when the frustration of not seeing success fast enough is getting to you – remember the great advice given to Melanie. Growing a business is a marathon, not a sprint.

Keep plugging away at your goals and checking the items off your must do list. Take it one step at a time.

If you’d like to learn more about Melanie you can visit her here and at her Etsy Shop here.

Additional Posts You Might Like:

7 Easy Tools to Build Your Business

Trust Your Business Instincts