The Entrepreneurial Journey

Well, where to start..

August of 2005, I was starting my first semester in college and my mom was going to try and help me get a business started. A&K Gift Gallery. So it began. She joined with a Specialty Merchandising Company as our supplier, and we started off with a bang. We had 1 large home-party with 3 different hosts at a small banquet hall. The show went quite well. From there we also set up a store online, and I had business cards and the such made. I did a couple home parties but honestly, didn't put the time and effort to keep the home parties going. The products were ok, but my heart wasn't really in to selling THOSE products. I wanted to be like my mom and grandma and be able to really have my own business, with out the need of a supplier for the FINISHED product.

In 2009, the membership was cancelled. I started needle felting and I am pretty good at it. I sold a few items online via eBay and Etsy. I still have my products online too at Etsy. The decision for me to quit my job at the insurance agency was a mutual one between my husband and I a couple months before the wedding. I talked to him about it after a meeting with my managers one day. He agreed completely with my points and gave the go on my next steps.

From that point I've also dabbled in crocheting, some
sewing, and lightly into some jewelry making. You can also see those products at . I was all for Etsy and excited about it, in the virtual labs everyday in the summer and fall, and then winter hit.

Now that spring is coming I look back and can see my flaws. I realized I get quite down in the winter and lose a lot of motivation. The biggest downside to this was I lost my motivation when it came to my online sales as well. I have come to terms with this now, after realizing it this week and am prepping myself to get right back in there with my items. Create and list a new item daily.

Also in mind, I have contemplated this idea several times over the past couple months, yet never dove into the research necessary to make my final decision. This week, I have done that. I would like to start a new business with candles, soaps, and lotions. Not something I just sell like PartyLite or anything. I want to have a business with these items where I am making the products, not just selling them. So this past week I have been doing some research, running the numbers, and starting to create my business plan.

Right now, currrently I am stuck on a name for this business, but I have been trying to think of some ideas. Until I think of a name, I just keep doing my research. I am hoping to start in about month or so, so I still have plenty of time to think of a name.

I am saving up right now to get the capital investment to start this business. I don't want to wing it or only sell half a product. I want to brand my products. I need a catchy name for 1, Then I want to get stickers made for the bottles, some business cards, some brochures and/or reorder forms, and plenty of product.

I have envisioned this product as selling online, and also I think I want to do some home parties. People can see the products for themselves that way, smell the different scents to see which scent they like better, and go from there. Also, it will get me out of my apartment more often ;)

Until all of this is set up, I am currently looking for a part-time or full-time position as well. I have become quite bored of my apartment, and to some people it has seemed to be the expected that you have to work FOR someone in order for your work to count. But that's ok, because I use to accomplish a lot more when I had a lot more on my plate. I suppose, I realized this over the winter, because the past 4 years I wouldn't get depressed in the winter due to always being busy. I worked, I was a full-time student, and I was trying to run a business online. Along with recreation and such, that gives you a lot to do. This winter, I did not have any of this, and that left my winter wide open for boredom...

I will not let another winter be like this past one.

So, anyways, this is a long post yet again :) and now you have most of my story :)

Any feedback or questions?? Feel free to leave a comment! :)

Until Next Time!