The main reason I hesitated in starting an Etsy shop was because I believed that my shop needed to look as perfect and polished as all the other seasoned shops, right from the start. I believed that if I didn’t have perfect photos and a seamless shipping strategy that there was just no point in even trying. What I didn’t realize is that NO ONE has perfect photos or a seamless shipping strategy when they first start out. There is a learning curve for everyone. One of the greatest things about being an entrepreneur is learning, growing, and constantly improving. And then getting to look back to see where you started and being proud of what you’ve accomplished! So, I decided just to start with the imperfect skills I had, and I would improve as I went along.
My ultimate goal when I started The Yellow Birdhouse was to create a business where I set my own hours, so I would never miss a parent-teacher meeting or a soccer game. I wanted to be my own boss, be present for my children and contribute financially to our family. But it was hard. There were many times I wanted to throw in the towel and thought it would just be easier to get a more conventional job. But if there’s one thing I’ve got, it’s grit. I won’t give up without a fight. I continued to work hard through the years of struggle when I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel and I’m proud to say that I’ve now achieved my goal. I’m home to pick up my boys off the school bus and if I need to take them to the dentist in the middle of the day, that’s not a problem. My financial contributions allowed us to build our dream house in 2019 and I employ my sister in law for a few hours a week to help with social media. I get to be crafty for a living, it’s such a dream
come true!
by Annya “Annie” White-Brown from NaturalAnnie Essentials
22
THE YELLOW BIRDHOUSE — featured seller
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