My issue isn't growing big not knowing what to do. My issue is not growing at all, socials dead, streams dead, it feels like I am putting in all the hard work for myself only and I have been doing this for over 5 years now. It feels really isolating and empty, because I feel like I genuinely have some really cute products to offer.
That’s why I don’t do personalized or custom (money maker). I design my own cut files and sell at markets. I always sell out. Reason I don’t sell online - I hate dealing with shipping. I just want to make enough to pay off my bills and pay off my home, spend time with my kids, pets and go to movies on $5 Tuesdays.
Sallie, that's the exact decision I made. I had the same troubles last year, where I had to put my shop on vacation mode, just to be able to BREATHE again. It was scary, but I decided to raise my prices even if it would mean less orders. And yes, Etsy "punished" me with removing the bestseller tags on some of my products, but within a few months I had them back. I have now less work, but the same amount of revenue, although this year seams to be a bit slower in general. So, yes unlimited growth is not always the solution. I realized I traded my mental health for money. It is not worth the pain. Wish you all the best. You have the right stuff to be a successful entrepreneur, becaus you can make tough but sensible decisions.
Ive grown so much I have to really watch when I post things I make on marketplace because I'll get overwhelmed. Sounds like a good problem to have and is until you realize how much time you work instead of spending it with your family. My business is my fun and passion but it isn't my families so I have to really balance things out. Its not easy.
@@SimplySallie Oh i work a fulltime job as well lol then work until around 10 pm every night after work at my business but I love both my jobs so its hard to give up the fulltime job to go full time side business.
Great perspective here. I think a lot of folks don’t fully consider the ramifications and trade-offs of growth until they’re far down the path. Only after they sign commercial leases and get employees do some realize “crap - I’m not home for my family which is why I started this”, or “man now I HAVE to make all these sales or I can’t pay my huge overhead”. It’s a story I’ve heard many times now.
So glad I came across this video.I am planning to launch my apparel business next month and I was literally thinking about this exact thing a few days ago. It’s one of the many things I fear in starting a new business.
@@SimplySallie Indeed! I know sometimes I have to slow it down and remember to not stand in my own way. I appreciate your words of encouragement. I tried to send you your flowers on IG a while back. I sent you a DM thanking you for being one of the inspiring people who has helped to motivate me over the years to start my own business. I hope you get a chance to see it soon.
I’ve missed your videos! Makes sense and growing the business is not the key to happiness. Money isn’t the key to happiness! When your kids get older it may change but do what you want to do because you can’t go back and change it!! Good luck!
Sallie - you are such a gift to people wanting to start small businesses. Not many people share so generously and honestly the way that you do. I agree with what you say about hustle culture, it is so toxic. I have the benefit of being an employee of a small-medium business that our boss founded in her garage. Now they have 20-50 employees depending on the season. As I navigate starting my own business, at this stage I don’t see myself wanting to have employees and a commercial property. I just want to be able to have enough to live a comfortable life, doing what I enjoy. That could change once I get there. But you are so right - focusing on your why is important. It’s ok if your why and your capacity changes over time. But the hustle culture of always doing and being more, is unhealthy and unrealistic. Much love from Australia 🇦🇺 ❤
Omg. You r literally saying everything I am going through as well. It is so hard to go through. Everyone always says it’s a good thing that I’m busy. I literally work nonstop. So much stress and I am so happy to hear I am not alone. You can not even talk about it online because people think u r bragging. Not true. Really looking for people who are going through the same thing and ideas of how to handle it. This video came at the perfect time. Just to know I am not alone. Thank you so much!
Love your videos and have missed seeing them! I needed to hear someone talk about this topic so badly so thank you for following your heart!! PS-You can send your overflow of customers my way! 😅 😉
Great video Sallie, I can totally understand the fear behind going on vacation mode on etsy. It's terrifying and emotional. I have only a few sales on there at this point, last year around this time I felt like it was finally getting a little steam and I was so afraid of doing something wrong that would stop the train lol But honestly, as I tried to figure out shipping and the cost and stress behind it I started thinking is this worth it?? Setting limits on your product is the best way to go. If you are earning a good living and are happy then I say take on only what you can handle and enjoy your success. You are a gem, thank you for all the honesty I have learned so much from you through the years on youtube!
Hey Sallie, I just want you to know how proud of you for being so real. I live an hour away from you and I have had 3 businesses including a laser business, and two other businesses spanning 20+ years. I have followed you for many years and seen a young person like myself. I too homeschooled my children and grew a business during that time to provide for them. Though my husband did not partner but occasionally helped when I too was overwhelmed. I am glad you shared your heart with your community and fellow peeps. Yes, your why is important, and in the seasons of being in business your why changes and changes with the stage of our children too. I encourage you to find balance and adjust as you need to. Being a mom and wife are your most important roles. Know that I have been praying for you through, as I knew something was up when the videos were few and far between. I too also had to re-focus due to becoming a more full-time caregiver for my 91-year-old father who had a stroke in January. Though we are empty nesters now, I had to take two months off from my business. The plan you share is similar to what I chose 6 months ago, even to scale back. I currently have my 60-watt laser up for sale and am just going to focus on what my Glowforge can do. That helps me stay small but profitable. You know going backwards to how I used to be and how I founded my business is not so bad. People and customers actually are excited I am bringing some of those 4-5-year-old designs back. Any way know I am praying you through, your strong faith and your talented entrepreneurship will still make you successful in all you do. If you ever want to get together and eat on the boulevard (Olive Garden) just let me know.. You can reach me anytime on FB at JoAnn Heaton ETC.. Be Bless friend!
Aw Sallie you are just so sweet! I’m a mom to 2 small boys and I totally relate to everything you said. I’ve missed your videos girl! Glad to have you back. I’m so happy that you are doing better and have systems in place for yourself! ❤🎉
Growing a small business in this era we live in is a challenge. Employees are the biggest hurdle. Finding capable and responsible people is the problem. I moved into a big warehouse. I had to pay the rent, utilities and a million dollar insurance policy. I was working for someone else at that point, I will never put myself in that position again. Growing isn’t all that.
Thanks for the video and great advice! A big thing with growing too much is that the stress can lead to chronic health problems. I’m trying to start a business that will allow me to work and have some income after no longer being able to physically work a traditional job because I’m chronically ill. Eleven years ago I nearly died because my health hit rock bottom from chronic stress. I was doing everything for everyone and I crashed hard. I was 34 years old and very active with a job I absolutely loved. I got so sick I had to have help bathing and using the toilet. I was so weak I couldn’t open a bottle of water or the refrigerator. It was devastating. I’ve built my health back up some but I will always have several chronic illnesses that are incurable but manageable. I’m scared to grow my business and get into the stress trap again. I have a 40 year old mentally & physically handicapped sister and my parents are elderly. I manage everything for them as well. I still have a 17 yo and 10 yo girls at home. My two oldest girls have moved out on their own but are not close by to help. A business comes with big decisions especially if it grows too fast. Everyone’s situation is different. Thanks, Sallie, for pointing out some of the pitfalls and ways to manage the growth that most people think would be a great problem to have. Look into hiring your children to work for you as well. They can make quite a lot of money and they’re not subject to tax or other regulations that come with “ regular” employees. There are lots of jobs they can do for you to help you out that are simple like trash removal, sweeping, cleaning, organizing, putting wood in lasers, taking it out, etc. They get paid and you both can reap the tax benefits. You don’t need workers comp, unemployment, etc to hire your own kids. There are lots of RU-vid videos about it. Check it out!
As someone who has just started my LLC last month, can you possibly share one thing you would have done differently at the start? Either it was buying a bigger machine or finding suppliers or even test more before you launched. This was a great video to watch for sure as I dive into this laser engraving industry.
It’s definitely a journey! I encourage you to focus on your “why”, look for ways to save you time/money like online tools, local suppliers, and not give up. Always research and look for ways to help your business thrive. Good luck in this journey! 💕
You look beautiful! I love watching your videos and the honesty and information in this are really good things to think about. Thank you for sharing them with us!
Glad to see you again; love all your videos…very good information in this one ! What is the font tool you were speaking of ? I do customized products too and mockups are time consuming.
Hi Sallie I just want to say thank god ur back 😊 such a great video and it's amazing to see and hear how other people go with all of this . Can't wait for the next video
So glad to see your video. Thank you for always being so honest. It is wonderful that your business is doing so well. Many blessings for you and your family.
I've missed you so much, but over the moon happy for your growth!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to talk about this. I'm so on the fence and this really helped. 😙
I work a very physical job that’s taking toll on me physically. At 44 there is no way I can do this another 15-20 years. If I can make similar to what I make that is good enough. Mostly I want to do heat pressing to pay for a few embroidery machines and have that be my bread and butter. Thankfully, my wife is soooo much smarter than me and knows how to manage a business.
Hi. I grew a business from £4000 - £1.3m and then got a partner to help with other bits. In the end I lost it all, because of the partnership and even had to go bankrupt. But a sliver lining was I found my new wife and never looked back. Now we make what we want and have fun and life. Just remember, having everything, doesn’t bring happiness.. stay strong.
Have you reached a top limit on how much you can raise your prices? I know when I was browsing your shop a while ago I remember thinking it seemed like you were pricing on the lower end. If I were you I think I'd raise my prices a bit until it gently slows the orders to where you want them to be.
Yes we did increase our prices as high as I felt comfortable for what we were selling! It worked for a little while- but eventually picked up higher. This is always a great tip for sellers that are wanting less sales.
@@SimplySallie I was also thinking that you need to raise your prices. From looking at your shop and comparable products I think you can raise them quite a bit. It would slow sales but give more profit for your business.
I have to ask, do you feel that it was the explosive growth or the unreasonable policies in regard to Etsy forcing business owners to uphold in order to keep their star seller statuses? I know so many drowning in complete burnout by being married to their email box dealing with customers nonstop. Please give your honest take on Etsy since the ceo changes. I was there back when it was amazing.
For me, it was the growth. Yes dealing with the customer emails and “playing all the roles” did play a big part of it. But for me it was just too much for two people!Things are much better now and I think we’ve found a good groove and amount that we can handle 😊
@@SimplySallie That's wonderful to hear, I want growth but hubby and I are 50 and tbh, it's overwhelming just thinking about it. I feel like things are going to pivot soon and we're not prepared for scaling up.
@@SimplySallie I did a website but to chicken to make it live as I was afraid orders on social media and off pictures I may post were enough for me. Of course, craft shows and vendor events as I could. But I was afraid of being overwhelmed with Etsy shop and website so I didn't do either. I commend you for the juggle.
You need to have about six more kids🚸; a receptionist; admin assistant; material procurer; production supervisor; marketer; bookkeeper/tax prep. Then jet off to Italy, Aruba, Bali, or wherever and just manage the business over the phone. 🏖 Oh, maybe one more for backup in case one of the others doesn't cut the mustard.
