Going self employed was, to me, equal measure of excitement and utter terror. It was a decision made in conjunction with moving country back home to Northern Ireland, giving up a very well paid job but just having decided that there had to be more to life than managing teams, battling senior managers and zero thanks for your efforts.
So with a head full of ideas, I plunged into the world of working for myself. Now, don't get me wrong, I have much less money but hey, what is money if you aren't happy.
I thought my journey thus far might enable me to offer anyone thinking of giving it a go and, particularly, thinking of making a living from crafting.
My first lesson has been in the need to be flexible - having an idea you think will work doesn't mean everyone else will agree with you. My initial idea involved trying to get the public to turn up to events we were hosting - i might as well have asked for the lend of a vital organ! I did my homework - people thought it was a good idea but getting them to come out of their back gardens on a sunny day or their cosy houses on a rainy one was a whole different prospect. Christmas is looming so let's see how the next round goes! I guess what I am saying is don't be put off at the first attempt but set yourself a limit (financially, mentally, every way) at which you will review the situation. Sometimes despite best efforts it won't work.
This leads me neatly into my next lesson - be prepared to diversify. In the midst of the Events efforts, I turned to something else I knew I had skill at.....crafting. I started off making baby items......the world will never run out of babies, right?! At events, a lot of people started asking if u made the bibs for dogs. I didn't at the time but I listened to what was being asked for and now pet items are the majority of what I make! I have also started selling sweets etc as I noticed that many events had lots of kids - the upshot is that I have made healthy profit at every sale I have done.....she says touching wood. Now, if I had stuck to my initial idea of just baby items, I can guarantee you I would have given up by now. So, be open minded, listen to what people are asking for, watch what is selling and who is buying.
Marketing is hit and miss but what I would say is don't spend unnecessarily. It is easy to get enticed into buying glossy leaflets, banners, advertising space which offers the exciting prospect of seeing your name in print. However, I have found that, in crafting world, what sells is what people can handle, touch, try on, smell, etc etc. Don't get me wrong, the Interweb is an amazing tool, but get yourself a customer base first before diving into more expense. This is something I have learned partly the hard way having paid for advertising on FB, Gumtree, etc and, frankly, I might as well have thrown the cash down the drain. I sell to people who feel how soft the baby comforters are or who hand one to their baby and like that they grab on tight with their little hands; or to the person who is browsing my dog bandanas and takes up my offer to try one on their pooch, and decides on the spot it looks cute and pay without taking it off. I wouldn't get that online. In the future this might be something I consider but for now I am following my heart and sticking to one off, unique items which would be much harder to flog on a website.
I am not that far into my journey and every day is about learning. I am loving it - spending days working at home and being creative is wonderful but I am realistic. Alan Sugar is in no danger from me and my sewing machine lol. However, watch this space and who knows!
Now.....forms to fill in - diversifying again.....baking and jam making this time. Ma Walton watch out