When will you be a 'success'?
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Original Post
I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be 'successful' in a creative micro-business.
I actually did a video blog post about it (link at end of post).
For me, no matter how much success I feel I've achieved, I always feel that I could be doing more. However, I am also much, much happier than I've ever been, now that I'm working on my calling, rather than just a job or career. As is the definition of a calling or vocation - I'd be doing this even if I got no money out of it whatsoever - even though I am at the same time passionate about creative entrepreneurs making a good profit from our work.
When will you feel that you have 'arrived', when will you be able to say that "yes, I am a success at my business"? What is your definition of success, anyways?
And more importantly, are you happy? Does your creative business make you intrinsically happy, or do you believe you will be happier when you achieve what you see as 'success'?
I'd love to hear others' thoughts on this.
Jess
(Video Blog on this topic if you're interested, it's pretty much just me rambling on about what I've written above :) - epherielldesigns.com/video-blog-what-does-success-mean-for-you)
Posted at 1:12am Jul 21, 2010 EDT
Responses
My shop is already a success, but whether it continues to be a success is something else.
I strongly believe it was a success from the first week I opened and it has continued as one. I did my research before I started and I did my best to do it *right* from the start, and I have worked hard to grow my business and improve it every day.
That doesn't mean it's enough to pay the bills (yet). It doesn't mean I don't plow every dime back into the shop and hope to one day be able to pay off my car let alone buy health insurance and do little things like, you know, take care of my parents in their old age. It doesn't mean I don't make mistakes or flail about clueless for a while. It doesn't mean I don't *fail* sometimes. But the shop, it's a success. The difficulty is in making sure it stays one.
Posted at 1:20am Jul 21, 2010 EDT
That's fantastic - and your shop is ticking along beautifully!
I think having a success mindset like you did, right from the beginning, is extremely helpful.
I know that things took off for me when I made the decision to pour myself into my work, and do that hard yards of bringing the shop up to the standard of those who were already successful.
Posted at 1:25am Jul 21, 2010 EDT
This is a great post, really thought provoking. I agree that I am happier now doing what I love than I ever could have been in the corporate world no matter how much success I achieved there (and I did achieve quite a bit).
I don't know what I would consider 'great success' here. Like you, I always feel I can do more. I will say that I consider every sale to be a success, every new item I list that I love, every positive feedback and so on. They're the things that keep me going.
Posted at 1:26am Jul 21, 2010 EDT
Anytime I sell an item - it is success to me. It never grows old.
The definition of success is so subjective. I know people who make a $1000 a month, live minimally and are extremely happy. I also know people who make 6 digit income and can never seem to make enough.
For each of us, success will have a different definition.
Posted at 1:29am Jul 21, 2010 EDT
Every time I get to the point where I count a business as being a success I get bored and sell it.
Etsy is a great challenge for me and that's exactly where I want to be... challenged! And I can't sell it... :)
Posted at 1:32am Jul 21, 2010 EDT
MetalRocks - me too! (about the sales)
And I totally agree about success being subjective - that is why I'm so interested in each and every person's different definition!
hotpinkchic - every little step is fulfilling, I agree - and I'm glad to hear you seem to have have found a calling! :D
Posted at 1:33am Jul 21, 2010 EDT
Hehe ClosetGothic - sounds like you have a true entrepreneurial spirit there!
And selling on Etsy (or anywhere online, full-stop) certainly is a challenge!
Posted at 1:35am Jul 21, 2010 EDT
Today I am a success, yesterday I was not...
I feel like a success when I get inquiries asking me to take part in art exhibitions, stock a new shop and sometimes just good feedback...oh and sales of course. But the sales don't always make me feel successful.
It is a day to day thing. But on the whole I feel successful. But I ALWAYS see people who are more successful. lol doesnt everyone?
Posted at 1:35am Jul 21, 2010 EDT
Let me put it this way - I'm 50 years old, I've enjoyed all the jobs/careers I've had & raised a fantastic kid all the way to adulthood. And now I'm starting something I never dreamed I'd ever have the chance (or guts) to do. I have only 2 sales so far, but if anyone told me a year ago that I would sell anything after a lifetime of crafting for myself, and that I would come to see my computer as anything more than something I had to dust, I would have never believed them. Yes, I feel quite successful - it's all relative!
Posted at 1:36am Jul 21, 2010 EDT