My Hobby is Growing Up: Building a Growth Plan

Covid’ s Curve Ball

In the past few years, Covid-19 has impacted all of us. Prices have increased, and supply shortages have made us all question the safety of relying on the supply chain. Covid has caused life changes as well, I left my job as a Para Professional at a public school. Covid-19 brought about financial and life changes that I wasn’t ready to face. At 57 it is hard to move into a new career. Suddenly I feel as confused and misplaced as I did as a teenager.

I am Alpha-One Deficient through both parents, and have had two siblings die from lung cancer. My health care providers warned me that if I contracted Covid (before the vaccines were available) that even if the virus itself didn’t cause extreme illness, the scaring in my lungs would highly increase my risk of lung cancer. I gave up my job. Like so many others, I found myself at a loss. Where do I go from here? I hadn’t finished my college degree in order to stay home with our kids. I worked at a public school for 20 years. My work experience is limited, and out of sync with the needs and requirements of the current job market. Even my crafting and selling at Craft shows came to a halt. Now I am faced with the fact that in order to get back on track, I have to remind myself that we are never too old to grow or learn. Dreams remain dreams until they are put into motion.

Overcoming Personal Roadblocks

Before Covid, I had plans for expanding my crafting hobby into a small business. I create one-of-a-kind wreaths, wall hangers, and art. My décor items sell well. The problem was that I did not have a social platform from which to sell my products. I was limited to selling at a couple of local shows each year. My current Facebook page is dedicated to my Crafting which is linked to my private page. I am a rather private individual who does not like having strangers access my personal page, I knew that to expand my sales I would have to overcome my reluctance to let others into my inner circle. No one can move forward if they refuse to change. Facing my fears head-on was the only way to move past them. This blog was my first step toward self-growth.

Moving Forward: Building a Growth Plan

On the advice of another female entrepreneur I started work outlining a growth plan. My plan is a very simple model.

• Start a blog: The blog needs to include interests and hobbies. Eventually, it will be expanded to include a section that will allow sales of my personal products including homemade soaps, candles, art, and crafted items. Another goal for the blog is to eventually offer affiliate links to products and services.
• Facebook Business Page: As of now my Crafting page on Facebook has a very limited audience. My goal is to increase this base by the end of this calendar year. Then by the end of the next calendar year, I intend to expand to a professional business page. In doing so I will be able to offer DIY videos, products for sale, and links to local craft show events.
• Creating a Work Space: I have stacks of crates that hold crafting supplies. I try to organize them for easy access, but with my current system, it is next to impossible to access supplies easily. In order to build my innovatory I absolutely have to create a craft-shop. The shop will need shelving that allows easy access to my crafting supplies and machines. It will also include an area for making videos, and for staging and photographing items for sale.
• Getting a Business License: Until now I haven’t sold enough to warrant the expense of a business license. Expanding sells will make this a necessity.
• Expanding Attendance at Shows: Currently I only attend a couple of local shows each year. In the coming years I intend to book at least one show per month. That is going to mean increasing my inventory to include items that span across seasons.

Branching Out

Until now the products that I offered for sale were restricted to décor for the fall and winter seasons. Branching out will be necessary in building an inventory that will allow online sells as well as attending shows year round. In order to meet this goal, I intend to add Spring and Summer décor, nursery décor, and sublimated items.

Handmade Soap and Candles will be limited to online sells only. The transporting items to and from craft shows, and limited booth space, restricts the number of items that I can display and sell.

Personal Growth= Personal Challenge

Growth is never easy. Change can be both intimating and frightening. I know that for me personally, fear of failure has restricted my success. I may stumble from time to time, but I refuse to allow self-doubt to cripple me any longer. What about you?

Where do you see yourself one year from today? Is there a dream you have long held in your heart? Then make it a reality. Dreams that are left fallow tend to become regrets. If you have a chance, then take it. Even if you fail, at least you can say you tried your best. Remember, we are never too old to grow in new directions or to learn.

Songs that Inspire:

‘Til You Can’t, by Cody Johnson

You Say by Lauren Dingle

Featured Photo

The featured photo is of a batch of homemade soap that is almost at trace… meaning it is a work in progress. It felt perfect for this post because that is where I find myself: a work in progress.

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Good luck on making your dreams come true,

Vikki