What Would I Do Without Them?

Q: What does a girl do in the spring and summer when her business is struggling?

A: If you were me, you would become discouraged; consider quitting and cutting your losses. Luckily for me, I had friends and family to support me. So, I stuck it out.

Q: What does a girl do in the fall when her business starts to take off?

A:  If you are me, you start to panic. Seriously?! Yes, I began to panic a little. I started to fear the increased sales. I questioned my inability to maintain an organized inventory. I beat myself up for my failure at keeping up with “all the stuff” that you are supposed to be posting in online social sites. I felt overwhelmed by my lack of planning a multitude of craft fairs because now sales are happening and I don’t have a full schedule. Worst of all, I started to fear the ability to maintain a good inventory going further into the holiday season. My items are ALL handmade and require time. Time that I should have spent developing this inventory over the summer, I frittered away with my defeating thoughts of failure.

What now?

Lucky for this crazy gal, I have the best friends and family that a person could ask for! They have jumped in with words of encouragement and assistance that have blown me away. I cannot thank them all individually, but I do want to describe a few of their contributions.

My Friends

I just realized that if you want to participate in vendor fairs in the fall, you should plan in advance for them because they are booked long in advance, some up to a year. PJ’s Projects wasn’t even a thing at this time last year! I know, I know, I should have realized this sooner, but life is all about learning new lessons, right?

As I searched in vain to discover that so many of the events were full and I was simply being placed on waiting lists, my friends jumped into action. I started to receive messages, tags, etc., for every open craft and vendor fair in a 100-mile radius. This has allowed me to jump into some last minute open spots and continue forward with my momentum.

My Father

When my dad heard that I was concerned about low inventory, he sprang into action. He was a tobacco farmer for many years. This has left him with many tobacco sticks that need another purpose. This guy is the original at taking what you have and making it work. Most farmers that I know are like that. You cannot always just stop and run to a store when something fails or you would never get anything done. So, improvisation must occur. There are amazing and sometimes even laughable results from this innovation but he always found a way to get the job done.

 Last winter, he decided to tackle the pile of tobacco sticks. He started creating stars, sleds and other decorative items from them. These items, he simply gave away to friends and family for he did not see the value in his “tinkering”. When he discovered that I was in need, he jumped in with his newly honed skills and created a few items for me to display and sell in my upcoming events. Did I mention that this guy also has a full-time job and a farm to run?! I don’t think I will ever be able to come close to his impressive work ethic, but I will keep trying.

One Specific Friend

I had many supportive friends, but one has really jumped in with her limited time and been a blessing to me. She gave up a Saturday to assist me during a craft fair so that I wasn’t alone when my husband was taking over soccer duty (more on him later). She also gave up her valuable time to come to my house and use her newly-discovered talents at wood burning to help me make more ornaments since these were becoming a newly sought-after item. She was able to make so many that I had to purchase a new display to showcase her amazing work. I can’t wait for them to start flying off the table to prove to her that she has some great talents hidden beneath that sweet smile.

My Mother

I have written about my mom in the past so most of you know that she is the talent behind all of the crocheted items sold through PJ’s Projects. She is humble and VERY stubborn so she will not discuss the work that it took to produce more items when I needed them the most. I wasn’t physically present during the scene but this is how I picture it:

Phone conversation.

Mom: So, how did the craft fair go?

Me: It went really well. Your towels sold like hot cakes and I had a huge run on your lap blankets. Even the ugly blanket sold. I know this is a good problem, but I’m starting to worry if I have enough inventory for future events.

Mom: I told you that blanket was not as ugly as you made it out to be.

Me: I know. (Grudgingly admitting that she was right)

Mom: Well, I’ll work on a few things if I get time and try to get them to you soon.

Me: Thanks! I have to go, my child thinks that the woolly worm she discovered today wants to sleep in bed with her and she’s trying to kick her sister out of the room to make space for the worm.

CLICK.

Dad: So, what’s going on?

Mom: The kids are taming more critters and your daughter is afraid that she is running out of inventory for her events. Here, hold my Dr. Pepper, I have work to do.

Mom drags out her yarn and sets to work for the first of many long nights.

Dad sets the Dr. Pepper on the counter and heads to the garage to start on his contribution.

My Husband

He has helped me with many things regarding this new business and we jokingly call him “The Muscle” as he is always loading and unloading the totes, tables, furniture, future projects, etc. But he is more than that. He takes over with the kids when my work becomes "too much". He gets the brunt of my neurosis when I start to over-analyze things or doubt that it will all work out. And he is the first sounding board for ALL of my new ideas even when they haven’t been thought out completely (just picture an ADHD squirrel on crack!).

He has even recently given up a morning of deer hunting to help me set up for an event! It was also raining but I don’t think that had anything to do with it.

My Son

My oldest child has been aching to become an active part of the business. He has made his own creations, tried to advertise for me and made lists of future project ideas. This is all in an attempt to “prove himself worthy” (his words, not mine). Did I mention that he is only 10 years old?

How do I mentor someone when I am such a novice myself? I have made so many mistakes within this last year. I still question 99% of my decisions when it comes to how to run this small business. I am the one not worthy enough to teach this eager young man and yet he is unrelenting in his pursuit. So, we are diving in. He will be my wing-man at the next event. I hope it goes well so that he isn't disappointed in his efforts (or mine).

While other businesses may be run by the hard-work, determination and skill of one individual, this one is NOT. I would not be anywhere close to where I am today without the unwavering support of my family and friends. I hope that they will someday realize how much I appreciate their efforts.