Starting a Baby Boutique & Clothing Line

The more we work, the more we grow

June 24th, 2008

I’ve never worked so hard in my life, but I need to work harder!! Harder baby, harder baby. I can’t believe that I’m years into this now. What I really can’t believe is how much there still is to accomplish, even with the years of work behind us. Doesn’t that sound nice and discouraging? It shouldn’t. You have a whole lifetime of work ahead of you, whether you’re doing your own business or climbing the corporate ladder. I hated working in a corporate environment, it really wore on me. Having a business is stressful and completely up to you. I’ve traded what to me was corporate-misery for heap loads of stress. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I buckle down and work under stress and I’ve finally buckled down and focused on crafting a couple of designs we love (oh wait until you see our little giraffe gift set) and selling them every single freaking day. I spend at least an  hour on sales and marketing every day now. At least. And the momentum is building and the sales are rolling in - but it’s still a battle. New orders inevitably mean new supplies are needed, so we have to be prepared for the constant flow of money going out. I’m learning to watch every penny. Basically, I’m gaining a broader understanding of “cash flow”.

Even as times are tighter, we’re bringing on more help and growing our product line. Our organic onesie sets sell like mad in the boutiques, which has helped me hone my sales pitch. Even today, I got an appointment with a local boutique I’d really like to be in - just because I pushed it. They “don’t do personalized” because they need fast baby shower gifts. Oh and btw, if she had thought that our product line was for her, she would have responded to my email. I didn’t skip a beat before saying “our organic onesie sets are great gift sets that sell like mad in that type of environment. They have photo-real graphics, tattoos on the back, and matching hats.” She wanted another email, I told her I’d rather stop in - she’d be happy to see me on Friday. I’m getting more confidence, we’ve been out long enough that I know what really sells, and I really know that if I can get our stuff in her hands, she’ll want it. Like I said, I’m gaining more confidence.

And praying every day too.

Entry Filed under: Motivation to Keep Moving