Livin' the Dream

I know I just wrote about my shops the other day, but tomorrow marks a big milestone and I couldn't let it sneak by without saying something.

Can ya guess what it is?

Happy One Year of Self-Employment Anniversary to me!

This is kind of a surreal day for me. I still get a little awkward and flattered whenever somebody buys my items, and I'm honestly kind of shocked that people are still interested enough in what I'm doing for this to keep happening. Thanks to everybody who's purchased from either shop, who buys at craft shows, who reads this blog, who has ever Pinned or Tweeted one of my items... You guys are just as much a part of this as I am, and I'm so grateful that you chose to support me.

To my friends who help at shows, to my family who talk me up and hand out business cards, and to my husband for being the best partner in every sense of the word: I wouldn't be here without you either. Thank you for your many ways of helping me.

I get to wake up everyday and do whatever I want. It's been a lot of work and there have been trade-offs (and stress), but the main takeaway is still the fact that I'm in charge of my own path when a few years ago I thought I never would be. This is far and away the best professional decision I have ever made. Really, the only thing that could top this would be... hell, I don't even know. Planting a tree that grows diamonds.

Diamonds?!?

So now that I've gotten all smoochy and made myself misty-eyed, I wanna give you one piece of advice, and it's probably the most business-y thing I'll ever say: Diversify your revenue stream. Have more than one way to make money. You know what they say about not putting all of your eggs in one basket, and it's so true with a business. I have two Etsy shops, I sell at craft shows, and I do a few wholesale orders a year (though I really could be better about that one). If you have a bad month in one area, you can usually make up for it in another.

I don't really know how to end a post like this. Do you have any questions about running a business? Looking for any tips? I would be more than happy to share or give the best advice I can, since I got a lot from others when I was first starting out. Do you have any info of your own to share with the class? Drop us a note in the comments.

Happy Friday! And seriously, you guys are so awesome.