You Opened a Business!

 

 

I am a Business Owner!

 

If I say it over and over again.... will I start to believe it??

 

 

 

So, you did it! You opened a Business!!! Gooooo You! High Fives all around! But, there is one tiny problem... YOU ARE Terrified! Will anyone want what I have to offer? Will everyone think I am insane for starting up this new venture? Will I make money? Will I lose money? Will I look and feel stupid for trying? 

 

 

I have two business, I own a preschool and I have a shop on Etsy. I was so scared starting both of them. When I opened my preschool I had one student and as the first year ended I had 8. Now 10 years later I just graduated 37!

 

The photo below was taken right before our Town Parade!

 

 

 

 

When I started my Shop on Etsy... it took me 4 months to get my first sale. And now, a year and a half later, I have 70 sales. Am I reaching for more??? You Bet!!!

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/103418045/mosaic-guitar-with-case-for-artists?ref=shop_home_active

https://www.etsy.com/listing/89564504/abstract-mosaic-mirror-brown-tones?ref=shop_home_active 

 

  

My point here is that everything takes time.

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/59957364/silver-moon-clock?ref=sr_gallery_10&ga_search_query=clock&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_ref=auto4&ga_explicit_scope=1&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmadeclock

 

 

You just have to stick with it!  

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/83611742/inspirational-butter-spreaders-dont-give?ref=sr_gallery_4&ga_search_query=don't+give+up+saying&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_ref=auto3&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=don

 

 

 

Selling online is crazy! No sugar coating here folks. If you are looking for one of those stories  "I made millions with my online store and quit my day job" you are in the wrong place! I am what my friends call a "Negative Nancy". I call it being real and not getting carried away on a cloud of fancy.  Day dreaming is not my thing! I am a person who believes that baby steps is now everything starts.

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/53024215/baby-steps-8x10-fine-art-photo-print?ref=sr_gallery_35&ga_search_query=baby+steps&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=baby+steps

 

 To be honest when I read those "I make millions" stories it just pisses me off! I know they are meant to capture the Dreamer and prove you can do it. But, to me it just makes me think that some people will get too disappointed if they don't see Big Money right away and quit before they get started. 

 

 

Here is the thing.....

 

Things don't just drop out of the sky and all is good in the world. If things are dropping out of the sky... RUN!

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/119782485/magpie-poopeth-wall-plaque-fun-wall-art?ref=sr_gallery_28&ga_search_query=+bird+poop&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=bird+poop

 

 

 Things take energy, time and dedication!

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/129764691/mind-energy-tincture-organic-rhodiola?ref=sr_gallery_39&ga_search_query=energy&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_ref=auto2&ga_explicit_scope=1&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmadeenergy

 

If you have a hard time lighting a fire under your own butt...

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/57727944/original-painting-flames-in-the-fire-by?ref=sr_gallery_15&ga_search_query=fire+painting&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmadefire+painting

 

well... having any type of business is not for you...

What you need is called a hobby.

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/121000222/readers-digest-crafts-hobbies?ref=sr_gallery_28&ga_search_query=hobby&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=3&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=hobby

 

 

Now for the good news! Etsy can be both. Lots of folks make their hobby into a business. Lots of folks work Etsy part time. Lots of people have so many wonderful items that they just need good homes for them so they can enjoy making more goodies! But, if you want to sell those outstanding items you can't think of it Only as a hobby. Nothing will ever sell and you should just think of who you are going to give what to at the holidays!

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/114901739/christmas-cards-christmas-card-set?ref=sr_gallery_8&ga_search_query=holiday+card&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_ref=auto5&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=holiday+card

 

 

If you are going to open or you have an Etsy shop ....

https://www.etsy.com/listing/153621030/usb-typewriter-computer-keyboard-and?ref=sr_gallery_2&sref=sr_6b0a6b67b2ed7479b1e4b8c8123b6823dd4bfac4c9cad2e7985cbae354ef38af_1372239361_14100597_steampunk&ga_search_query=steampunk+computer&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_ref=auto11&ga_search_type=all

 

1. Get on Facebook and get yourself a Fan page!

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/99468336/facebook-timeline-tab-images-app-buttons?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=facebook&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=facebook

 

2. Get yourself on Google

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/73259932/vinyl-wall-decal-sticker-art-google-has?ref=sr_gallery_29&ga_search_query=google&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=google

 

3. Get yourself on Pinterest

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/124794797/pinterest-pillow?ref=sr_gallery_14&ga_search_query=pinterest&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_ref=auto2&ga_explicit_scope=1&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmadepinterest

 

4. Get yourself on other social sites.. there are a ton of them.

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/62823309/social-media-a-pinback-button-set-social?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_search_query=networking&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=networking

 

5. Get yourself business cards and leave them everywhere.

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/119780981/old-world-cowboy-card-design-plus-500?ref=sr_gallery_42&ga_search_query=unique+business+cards&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_explicit_scope=1&ga_page=27&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmadeunique+business+cards

 

6. Talk about your shop... not so much that people run the other direction when they see you coming.. just enough so they know you are still selling and what you are selling.

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/82060792/she-never-stopped-talking-original?ref=sr_gallery_29&ga_search_query=talk+painting&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=talk+painting

 

7. Join teams on Etsy

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/85060651/custom-sign-go-team-custom-made-team?ref=sr_gallery_24&ga_search_query=etsy+team&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=etsy+team

 

8. Never hide your 'favorites'

9. Promote others on the site... Don't be what I call a 'Me Monster'

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/152984502/novelty-towel-bib-with-feed-me-monster?ref=sr_gallery_1&sref=sr_4309d037e81daff0837022651185962fb5f66019f7a657b1856bcccae8ca5d7d_1372239261_14187462_monster&ga_search_query=me+monster&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=1&ga_search_type=all

 

10. Enjoy what you do...

You only live once and life is toooo damn short! 

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/101058126/plastic-smiles-on-steel-rods-the?ref=sr_gallery_23&ga_search_query=smile&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_explicit_scope=1&ga_page=3&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmadesmile

 

Smile, giggle, and make friends! 

 

 Stop on over and check out my shop!

Thank you for reading!
Don't forget to check out the shop links to all these wonderful Etsy shops I featured in the blog!
Enjoy!!!

Come meet Mary and her etsy Shop!

 

 

Happy Hello!

 

Today I am featuring an artist that makes outstanding signs!

 

Let's meet

Mary Compton Aikens

 

And get a taste of what her shop has to offer!

 

 Mary C. Aikens 1 Artlady

www.etsy.com/shop/marycaikens1artlady

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/116172674/i-love-lego-for-anybody-who-is-really?ref=shop_home_active

 

Here we go!

 

What do you sell?

 

The products that I do sell are small, hand-made signs that are mainly made out of wood. However, I do have other mediums that I am adding to my inventory. Those mediums are hardy plank siding, and hopefully, I can add crocheted signs as well painted glass somewhere in the near future.

 

 

How did you get started with Etsy

 

I started my Etsy shop by signing up. Prior to opening my Etsy shop is that I received several referrals from various friends as well a relative.

 

 

When did you get interested in making your Art

 

I have actually started making my artistic signs as well wood reliefs since late 1980's, but I started becoming very strong in the area of wood reliefs since October 1991 after both my husband and I came from seeing art exhibits at the Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Doing personalized and custom signs have been a real push for me to strongly consider selling my
artwork on Etsy.

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/81063164/name-plaque-seans-name-plaque-is-an?ref=shop_home_active

 

 

Where does your inspiration come from?

 

 I can really credit that my art inspiration came from the Lord. He is the one that gives me various subjects to do my signs as well other art pieces. Yes, several people gave me ideas for my art ideas. However, I strongly can credit the Lord to finally give me the final inspirations. Yes, I do take commissions.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/119831249/southern-oak-a-filligree-type-of-art?ref=shop_home_active

 

 

Who taught you or how did you learn your art form

 

I was an artist since childhood, and yes, I had several teachers who really inspired me in my art talents. I received two college degrees: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and
Associates of Applied Science in Drafting and Design Technology. During the time when I was working on my undergraduate degree in Graphic Design, I took numerous art studio classes.

 

 

Where do you see your Shop in 5 years from now?

 

 It is quite hopeful that I can build my freelancing art commissions to a full-fledge art business and working full-time.

 

 

How do you manage your time between Etsy and the rest of your life?

 

 It is a real challenge which I must do my Etsy at night along with my other web sites since I work away from home during the day hours. I work as a design drafter for a construction firm most of the day. For the rest of the day, I work for one of my boss's family by picking their children up from school, take them to their house, and stay with them until either one of their parents arrived. However, it has been quite recent that I have been extremely swamped at work due to crushing deadlines and an extremely slow computer. Thank God for a new computer with updated Auto-CAD software.

 

 

Do you make or stock items you love, or what will sell?

 

 I both making the items that I love to make as well keeping them in stock. At times, I also have a couple of friends who also
sell the items for me in their frame shops. I also ask both of my friends what sells as well one of them spends more time with me as well showing me ideas. Yes, again, I still get ideas from the Lord.

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/153036175/jesus-christ-light-of-the-world-a?ref=shop_home_active

 

 

Where else can we find you online?

 

 www.manta.com/c/mxfrjbt/mca-arts-graphic-studio,www.mca1artist.ArtId.com,

Daily Paintworks - although I am not a member yet, but hopefully that I can join soon. However, I do have some of my paintings posted in their challenges from time to time.

 

You can also see me on FaceBook.com under Mary Compton Aikens, and last but not least, I am on Twitter which is MaryComptonAike.  

 

 

Did you always want to have your own business?

 

Yes... I wanted go into business for my self... However, I wanted to first get a better level by working for somebody before I can feel confident working for my self. One of the best qualities that I would find working for myself that I will be at home, be able to set my own hours as well days, and work alone in a quiet environment without so many people bugging me in contrast to an office-type setting.

 

 

Any other thoughts you want to share with us?

 

Yes. There are many thoughts to share. I used to do house portraits for people and families in the past. However, I am not active in that area. From time to time, I am compensating for it at work as being a rendering illustrator for various clients. I do love drawing buildings, houses, barns, birds, and other items including ladies' shoes.

  I want to thank you very much for taking your interests in finding out more about me and my Etsy shop. It has been a real honor to me that you expressed your love of my sign shop.

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/85373238/gone-shoppin-novelty-sign-for-both-the?ref=shop_home_active

 

Thank you Mary!!!