Saying "Yes" to Uncomfortable Opportunities Transformed My Jewelry Business

We’ve made it through another crazy month of upheaval in the handmade industry and the May magazine is now live! Over the last few weeks, we’ve published a lot of content that has hopefully been very helpful to you, such as how the Instagram Algorithm works in 2020 and 15 things handmade sellers are posting about on Insgram during the lockdown. We’re all in this together and we’re constantly looking for creative ways that we can help the handmade industry get through these unprecedented times. We know a lot of you have been struggling (we have as well), and we hope that the May magazine provides some comfort and connection as well as gives you some fresh ideas for moving forward with what you can control. Let’s dive in! 🙂

Erin, our first featured seller grew her business to an unexpected level by saying “Yes” to uncomfortable opportunities. Each opportunity opened up new doors to learn and grow and eventually all the experiences came together to bring her to where she is today as a full-time jewelry designer. And like many of us, her next opportunity for personal and business growth is happening right now during the pandemic and she’s taking on the challenge.

“It was then and there that I realized I would continue to say “yes” to every opportunity that came my way. If it turned out to be a bad fit, at least I would be gaining from that knowledge and it would give me insight on how to move forward from there.”

– ERIN AUSTIN | ERIN AUSTIN DESIGN

Our second feature seller was faced with a huge unexpected setback when Etsy Wholesale closed down. But she didn’t let it stop her. She created her own wholesale platform for handmade sellers and wound up with thousands of applications from fellow sellers who were eager to try out her platform, Stockabl!

“Megan’s class showed me that I was grossly underpricing myself. I had the reaction that I have since seen from lots of makers when they dip a toe into wholesale for the first time. You know, the one that sounds like, “You want me to sell my products for WHAT???” I think a lot of makers have a hard time wrapping their heads around the idea that our products have value beyond that of just the cost of materials plus our time because there are people who value the heart and the craft that went into its making.”

– ADRIANNE STONE | STOCKABL, A HANDMADE WHOLESALE PLATFORM

Here’s a preview of the other goodies inside the May magazine:

May Question of the Month

Last month, we asked sellers how their businesses had been affected by COVID-19. Read how 18 handmade sellers’ businesses have been impacted and how they’re pivoting.

What About the Success Stories We Never Hear About?

Deb talks about what your definition of success is and how it compares to the six-figure success stories that handmade sellers are often pressured to pursue.