Hi I'm Abi! I make videos around my journey growing a small business from scratch! I show everything from the up's and down's to the financial and creative aspects! Come along with me and let's go on this journey together!
I post new videos every Thursday at 4pm GMT and you can also follow my other social medias for more content as well!
I made my own book press. I just went to the hardware store and purchased what I thought I needed. I use it sometimes but honestly I usually use book binder clips instead because I can do so many more of them at once.
To help clamp your notepads, you could make a DIY book press with two wooden cutting boards. I did one years ago following a tutorial and it works great!
I honestly prefer the transparency and oversharing! It's how I get to know a person better, really! You are such a lovely person and I've only seen 2 videos so far. I think I am also going to take the same route and upload when I can rather than sticking to a schedule. I don't want to stress myself out and I'm someone that gets easily overwhelmed lol
Love that ur real. Even about the negative stuff. It makes me feel better about where I am. Because it is hard and it's validating to know it's not just me struggling. U look at other people and they show they are doing amazing and I question what am I doing wrong. With u I see the good and the bad and I'm like OK it's not just me. We just gotta keep chugging along. Ur an inspiration. Do what feels right. It's hard to post some vonerable stuff. I've posted some too that was scarry to post and I still cringe scrolling through my videos and want to take it down. I posted it knowing it will help someone that needed to hear it. But the reality is we all go through stuff and we are all cringe at some point. It's just nice to know ur not alone. So Ty. Ps college in USA we get out around Easter april/may and go back to school typically in Aug.
You can make a a binding press for only a few dollars. Go to a dollar store and get two wood boards, get 4 long “screw rods”, 4 wing nuts, drill four holes and viola
I appreciate you sharing where your had is at all the time. You cannot always please everyone (says the perpetual people pleaser), so might as well do what feels authentic to you. As for bookbinding stuff, I found two thicker drawing boards (I got mine from Amazon), and three bricks work like a charm. The drawing boards are slightly pricer cause they are thick wood; one is A3, the other is A4. You probably will need 2 A3s cause I only did A5 format). Did a couple of sketchbooks with this format. Also I did clean the bricks and wrapped them in clingfilm and craft paper. So, some investment, but they will act as a book press, so it's much easier to apply the glue and to make sure they dry flat.
Have you thought about making a clamp for your notepads? Have a look at flower presses. They are simply two pieces of wood which clamp together with butterfly screws, not sure that’s the right name but you’ll see what I mean when you google them. You could pick up a couple of wooden chopping boards and drill a hole through them wherever it works for you and grab some of those butterfly screws from b&q or a hardware store. The range may have some cheap boards or B&M cheap, maybe worth a try? Also pay no attention to any negative comments. Some people just can’t help being ignorant. Keep doing you, you’ve got this and your content is real so keep it up 👍🏻 🥰
If I were to change something on the beautiful tumblers is not to have the bear at the top with no head. Probably that’s just me. 😂 Otherwise everything is beautiful. I just got a birthday card for my coworker who loves cats and I was soooo happy to see all the stickers you sent me. Tysm
God, it had been ages since I last saw your videos. So happy you're doing great. I really missed your content❤ I don't understand why people say you're negative, I started following you because of your positivity despite how many struggles you face. And as someone who is really negative about life and has been following your journey from the get go I always admired how you handle difficulties with a smile. Even if you happen to have a bad day and complained about it it's totally OK! That is realistic and so honest of you to share with us. This is your space and your channel so do as you wish!
Welcome back autumn! Hope you've been doing well! And thank you so much for your lovely comment! It makes me so happy to know my videos can help others! ☺
People who say you're too negative are just the wrong audience for your channel! And wow you've got so much better/more confident at making those cups with the new system! So great to see your growth!
Okie I dont usually leave comments on videos but I really want to say something. Do not listen to those people who say you're to negative. Your channel's whole point is to show a realistic side to starting up and owning a small business. Its very important that people understand that running a small business isn't all sunshine and rainbows. I love how open you are about everything, makes me feel better about the idea of opening one myself in the future. So please keep being how you are. It's very helpful to some of us.
I allways wonder... how can you make any money out of this when you sell soooo many good items as wonky (and therefore cheaper than your normal selling price I guess)? No customer will ever know that the tumbler is too saturated or the notepad lacking a bit glue - unless you tell them!
haha sometimes (especially with colours) my camera makes them seem a lot less saturated on the video than in real life! I still make a small profit from my wonky items just not as much as my full priced items so I actually don't lose money from selling them as B grades. Hope this helped! ☺
Your tumblers have came out lovely do you not put tape on the top and bottom. How long do you have yours in the heat press hope you don’t mind me asking xx
I usually have it so the paper hangs over the edges a bit to make sure the design reaches the ends of the tumblers but I've never had to tape the top or bottom fully down. I leave them in for around 240 seconds but I turn them a few times during that to make sure the heat gets all over! so I do 60 seconds, turn, and then 60 seconds, turn etc. Hope this helped! ☺
I upload videos loosely one a mounth. That's all I got in me to do. I work full time fixing a house and have my small buisness. U can also make ur videos shorter. Gonna be honostly. I don't have time to watch ur video every week. I will sometimes bindge watch and catch up. The last couple weeks I've found time. But sometimes I'll go 2 or so weeks without watching. Ur in my feed and youtube pushes u I just have limited viewing times.
I also work full time, and run a small business ( a blog, etsy, pinterest, and youtube) I recently had too much going on and took a break from youtube and my blog for about a month. Came back refreshed with new content ideas, still taking a break from youtube though. Sometimes we just can't do it all, and it may be best to focus on less things. And put the effort in to just one or two items, instead of too many.
I also work full time, and run a small business ( a blog, etsy, pinterest, and youtube) I recently had too much going on and took a break from youtube and my blog for about a month. Came back refreshed with new content ideas, still taking a break from youtube though. Sometimes we just can't do it all, and it may be best to focus on less things. And put the effort in to just one or two items, instead of too many.
I totally agree that you should just go easy on yourself. Consistency is a good thing but it definitely can lead to burnout which is never good. If you need the system or process to ensure you feel less stressed, I would try blocking certain creative tasks together and break it up for the month instead of weekly. remember small businesses aren’t corporations, which is why they are special and don’t need to be perfect all the time. Imperfect and honest can be more genuine and I think that really resonate with others. Also, sometimes we have seasons in our life where spending time with friends and family is more important and that’s what will help inspire and fuel your energy to keep running your small business. Don’t let those special moments get away stressing about your biz. Your community will be here when you’re ready to jump in again. ❤ 😊
I think every 2 weeks could work? so u still have a plan , and not just picking at random and realising that days have just been running away cuz u had no specific day of posting planned
Do what works for you - secoinding that once a fortnight would be fine, maybe for a couple of months just so you can have some more fun time this summer, or shorter videos - I think your standards for "interesting" are higher than mine, I like the mundane stuff,,,
I've been there and currently taking a break from my youtube channel. Some of my recommendations is take lots of B roll you can use in upcoming videos, incorporate more face to camera footage where you just sit there and talk, you can film these ahead of time in one sitting for various videos, and maybe try to film videos ahead of schedule so you can have a few already scheduled so you won't be so busy trying to keep that deadline. You could also do more chill videos where you just relax, a day in the life, and such. You could also just do some recap videos, what did I do this week etc. Remember it is your business, you decide your schedule and what you work on and when. I always take a day or two after a few events to relax and reset.
Thank you for making real content and not pretending everything is perfect! It's helped me so much in this season of starting my business and nothing going my way :)
Dear Abi, I’ve been watching you since the start, you are fabulous! I love the content you create however, you would benefit from releasing yourself from the pressure. I’m happy to see a video once a month, what matters is that if you push this hard you will end up ill as your body will force you to take a break. Be kind to yourself, your supporters will be here,regardless!
I usually don’t wait for a specific moment of posting for anybody. When I see a new video of a channel I’m subscribed I watch it when I can, so I don’t think you have to worry about it.
If you feel very uncomfortable cutting out the consistency of posting a video on a certain day and time: try biweekly on a set day! And if you have some energy and motivation left, you can still put out different videos whenever. And we‘ll just be happy for the bonus haha ❤
Seems like you need to take a break. People will always be there and your health and well being is much more important than all this. Without it you don’t have a business… just take a break. It’s not easy to work full time and have a whole business. I’m doing the same thing and trying my best not to stress about being able to do it all (full time job, own business, husband and kids😅). A clog twice a month would totally fine. Take care ❤
I’ve two gaming channels and on one I do voiceovers, so I agree with you on voiceovers. I really sit there like um what do I say 😂? Also I want to say I enjoy your vlogs and I hope you feel better.
So as for how you've been feeling overwhelmed, I can totally understand. You have a lot on your plate, and it's hard to do everything. I personally have yet to build consistency on RU-vid (I have another channel) but I have been doing a bunch of research on RU-vid in general, so I have some ideas for posting. You could always do vlogs once a month, or once every other week, and fill in the weeks with other types of videos. (Here's how I decide what to draw. How I manufacture my products. This is how I take product photos and edit them.) Posting more search-based content would not only be easier to film, edit, and post, but it would also help get more subscribers. Honestly, I would love to see how to videos that focus less on teaching us how to do it, and more on sharing your unique process. I wanted to write this all out before I forgot it, so I'm gonna finish the video and edit if need be. PS. love your videos and your products are super cute!
I would be more than happy if you posted every other week. Taking care of yourself and your needs is so important. It will also shine through on camera. I appreciate your honesty about it! It makes me feel less alone.
I m going to watch you when everyou post that why I have notifications turn on Its ok to take a break I learned that as a small business owner life likes to life no matter what we are here for you no matter when you post I rather you post when it works for you than to be stressing I love your content sso i will continue to watch and its ok to vent let that stuff out I'm here for it all it helps me out as well keep posting and do what works for you sis!🥰
I was feeling like this last year and sometimes you gotta let certain things go - like people not knowing when you post, that’s okay!! That’s something that can give. It’s all about priorities - if the priority is better content instead of a rigid schedule you could also grow from that too while it’s less stressful. Priorities are so hard to decide but it’s something you gotta do when you have sooo many competing priorities. Figure out how important certain things are to you and the life you’re trying to create for yourself by giving them a score or something where everything doesn’t have the same level of importance if that makes sense 😅 you can do it🎉
Dont worry about what people want..do what makes you happy, post when you like..draw what you like..when you are happy with what you are doing it will all come easier
Don't sweat the small stuff....its all small stuff, love your youtube videos, wont make a difference if you post on a different day, or longer time between each, just do what makes you happy and feel good :) Good Luck !
It is quite quiet this month. My sale shave not slowed but the amount of money people are spending are smaller, but that also could be that I now have listed some more affordable items. I am probably a much smaller business than you and I am aiming for 1 sale a day.... im at about 3 sales a week.
Such a great video, totally can relate to being stressed and not having enough time , take care of yourself we are all here to watch whenever you post. No pressure x
Thank you so much for my order Abi, its all super cute. Fastest delivery of a small business ever. Regarding filming, take some pressure off yourself and post videos when you can. It can easily become another chore, which sucks the energy and fun out of you. Take a break if you need to.
