Starting a little handmade business

   Welp we did it. Steph and I put on our big girl panties and got out of our comfort zone by selling the stuff we make. The website, aka "our little shop" has been live for a month now and things are going pretty well. I've actually been pleasantly surprised at how much I've enjoyed starting this little adventure with my sister. We've had a few bumps along the way as we've ironed out a few kinks (all learning lessons) but it's been fun! We definitely would have never had the courage or know-how if it wasn't for my hubby pushing teaching us the ways of business along the way though. (So if you have a problem with pricing, blame him! Ha!) So far, the pace has been steady and we've done a LOT of custom requests which has kept me creatively challenged, all while keeping Steph busy working on products to list. That has taken so much pressure off me. If I had to make stuff for the shop, run the website/social media, package & ship products AND continue to find time to MAKE stuff, it would be impossible, not to mention draining as I struggled to stay afloat. Obviously our boys come first and foremost so to be able to split the responsibilities and sew when we're both able (nap times) has been awesome. I LOVE getting a text of the lastest product she just finished, and can't wait to show her mine. It has kept us motivated and encouraged.

   You want to know what's been truly the best part?? YOU, our customers. Random strangers buying from us and the repeat ones. I can't tell you how much that means to us. The shout outs on social media of you USING your handmade goods, MAKES our day and motivates us to make more and create more, so thank you! Also, a big thanks to those of you who have been brave good friends in giving us feedback on ways to improve the website. We really do appreciate it.

   So as a thank you, and because we want to celebrate what we cherish most, our #1 title, "mom" we are offering 15% off all products through Mother's Day with the coupon code "BESTMOM." This code will be good through the the 10th.

    If you haven't checked out "the shop" yet, I'm gonna pretend you just didn't know any better, ha ha. It's handmadebylinds.com. Check us out on Facebook and Instagram too (same name).

   Toodles!

   -Linds

p.s The other day Eli, *ahem* Bruce Wayne I mean (he's "officially" changed it, and even has his teachers calling him Bruce and introducing himself to complete strangers as Bruce. I kid you not,) came in from playing outside with a pine cone in his hand. I asked him what he was going to do with it and he said " sell it." Ha ha. You think he's hearing enough shop talk??? He's a pretty good salesman though. I almost PAID for a pine cone. Good thing he lost it before I had to cough up the change. #storyofhislife. #kidloseseverything.