Initially I started this blog because I was starting my own little business up (see my very 1st post ‘And so it begins….’!). At the time I had big dreams of creative enjoyment and success, expanding from my simple button earrings into more elaborate pieces as my business took off and I became more confident. The blog was to follow this journey and yet instead it became a reflection of how things stalled and stopped.
My plan was to start small and as sales grew, so would my range and my ability. However a year after opening my Etsy store Mr B’s Button Jamboree, I realised that I had stopped developing and growing. Yes I had added a few new things like my hemp bracelets, felt brooches and fabric buttons, when I looked at my range though I could see that I had not reached the potential I had hoped to.
So what was behind this stagnation and lack of progress in my plans? One reason is that very word – ‘plans’. I spent so much time reading and planning, drawing up new plans all the time, constantly changing things. Too much time. Hours were invested working out social media, SEO keywords, listings, business plans….and not making or experimenting with new products. I sabotaged myself. I feared failing and people thinking my button jewellery was rubbish. So I over-planned, trying to be the most prepared I could be and drew back from pushing myself to try making new products because I was afraid of not being good enough.
Things then became more complicated as I took on work preparing photos for our microstock portfolio.. This is incredibly time consuming yet something so important if we are to achieve our plans of mobile working. I have since also started writing freelance for blogs. This does not leave much time for my button business and the combination of it all leaves my brain somewhat frazzled and exhausted.
Setting up my little business has not been without its positives though and when I remember to stop and take stock of these, I am grateful for what it has bought me. Without it I am not sure I would be here now talking to you. Not only did it introduce me to the world of blogging, it has given me a community of friends and support on Instagram (why not pop over and say hello!) that has made so much difference to little old introverted, solitary me. My confidence is still shaky and yet it has also grown. I have learnt the joy and comfort of sharing my thoughts and feelings with others…and that there are some truly awesome cats out there!
My favourite Instagram photos from 2016
So where does this leave me and Mr B’s Button Jamboree? To be truthful, I am not quite sure. I am not quite ready to say goodbye to it and still want to get more creative with what I make. Whether it fits in to how my life is going is a different matter. Whatever happens though I am glad that I tried it…it has given me confidence, bought me friends and taught me valuable lessons. Watch this space for what happens next I suppose!
The Ramblings of Button Jamboree 