send me an angel
I need my own business angel like this one in Bubbo-tubbo’s Etsy store. I’m feeling totally overwhelmed with the business. I need some guidance. I know I have to write a business plan, and I’m pretty sure I can handle that. It’s the financial projections that are the tough part. And I’m confused as to what order thing I need to do things: get an EIN number, find (and secure) a location, get a loan from the bank, pick a name, design a logo… I have a couple of business books, but they’re no subsitution for talking to people who have “been there, done that.” If anybody’s opened their own shop, or knows somebody who has and would be willing to talk to me, I’d love to learn how they did it. Because right now I’m feeling pretty discouraged, and I want to be feeling as motivated as I did when I returned from the Rengade Craft Fair.
Now this post gets very personal:
Tonight, via Nectar & Light, I came across Alice Kim’s store Trocadero, as well as her blog. Like me, Alice moved from the Big Apple to the Big O, only she came here by choice. She arrived in July 2007, almost two months after I did, and by October her high-end accessories, shoes and gifts store opened in the Old Market. Did she come to Omaha with a plan to set up shop? How did it only take her three months to do it all? Am I jealous? Yes. Inspired? Yes. I sit here struggling to figure out what’s what, only to learn about Alice, who opened a successful store in three months.
Jealousy is an ugly emotion. I’m trying so hard to channel my jealousy into motivation. If Alice can do it, so can I! That will be my new mantra. I will think it, breathe it, say it in conjunction with this phrase, courtsey of Mati Rose:
I’m certainly no expert but I am going through setting up my own business as well and if you need any commissary or help I’d be happy to lend it. Speaking of books try out Craft, Inc by Meg Mateo Ilasco – it has real life experiences in it. Also if you go to get your EIN number the State Board of Equalization usually has a list of free upcoming classes on tackling the scary money and number projection side of things.
Don’t let the stress take over. My big reminder to myself is that the creativity is the hardest and at the same time most rewarding part of your business – don’t let the practical side get you bogged down.
Cheers!
Rebecca
PS – I found your link through Craftstylish and am going to be starting my own blog soon for the crafts I make. I’d love any tips you have on that side. How do you make sure you post on a regular basis?
Rebecca: Thanks for the boost of confidence! Some days (like today) I really feel like I’m in over my head. Although I’m not an artist or a designer, I feel passionate about the products I’m planning on selling, and I try to remind myself to imagine how incredible it’s going to be standing in my own store…when it finally happens!
As for the blogging, it’s not a challenge for me to post everyday because I love to write! Although sometimes when I tired, my posts are definitely shorter
I’d be happy to talk to you some more about blogging if you’d like. You can email me at pjinomaha [at] gmail [dot] com.
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!