It's been one year since I decided to take my little side business online. I resisted making the move for several reasons, but the number one being work/family business. I tend to have a bit of difficulty not letting work consume my life, and with little kids at home I know I didn't want that to happen. Having an online shop means that you lose a bit of control over your work schedule. With Etsy, although you can put your shop on vacation mode, and control your inventory, you never know when orders are going to come rushing in. I didn't want to have to spend my life fulfilling orders, and rushing to the post office multiple times a day, but I still wanted to cushion our bank account with a little extra income.
Fortunately, over the past year I feel like I have kind of found my groove. My shop isn't always being pounded with orders, which is how I prefer it. But rather, have been able to have a manageable stream of orders come through. I've taught myself to stick to a schedule, and fill orders (for the most part) in the afternoon during quiet time and pre-school. I also TRY to take weekends off, though I'm not great at it.
I feel like anytime you decide to venture outside of your comfort zone you are allowing yourself to learn and grow. I am not a business expert, and to be honest, that isn't necessarily something I aspire to be. I have, however, learned new skills, and refined old ones. I'm grateful for the small but scary steps that I've taken outside my comfort zone.
In celebration of our first year on Etsy I'm running promotions all month long. I have flash sales scheduled for each Friday of the month, with limited edition items available at each. Save 40% during our flash sale promotions, and stock up for Christmas, birthdays, and back to school. Our Woodland Collection flash sale is now live, and inventory is limited.
I'm shipping out a free gift with every online order, and have giveaways funning on both my @leafytreetopleather Instagram account, and Leafy Treetop FB account. Enter for a chance to win either five pair of earrings, or 5 sets of bows. I'll also be holding a second giveaway at the end of the month. I'll be drawing the winner from all the buyers that placed an order during the month of June.
So hop on over to Leafy Treetop Leather, and see if there is something that you can't live without.
Thanks for all of the support and encouragement throughout the years, and especially this last one.
