simple but not easy

Starting a business has never crossed my mind before. Although I have a Diploma in Business Studies, to actually start a real business was the last thing on my mind. That is, until 2 years ago...

So, I'm now into the second month of operating my online store. A simple idea. Creating, sourcing and selling. Yet, it entails lots of sleepless nights, planning, thinking, discussions with my hubby. Not to mention lots of juggling during the day, with processing of orders, handling customers' emails and queries, with housework and the kids.

In these few short weeks after starting the online store, I've learnt some valuable lessons.

1. There is no perfect time.

I've harboured the idea of starting this online store for months, but was hesitant to really do it, simply because of the fear of not being able to cope with my various roles.

"Wait until the kids are older."
"Maybe when I have more time."
These were my reasonings.

But thank God for a great husband who encouraged me to just do it. So here I am... into the second month of business.

And I couldn't agree more to this verse:

"He who observes the wind will not sow,
And he who regards the clouds will not reap."
(Ecclesiastes 11:4)

There is no perfect time to do something.
If you have a dream, go for it.
Just do it!

2. Depend on people, but don't depend on people.

The reason why I started this business was largely due to the encouragement I've received from friends and relatives. When I first started selling my handmades two years ago, a few of my friends and relatives bought from me. They gave me very encouraging and positive feedbacks. Some of them told me to make more and start selling online.

When I started doing this last month, the hardest thing for me was not the sleepless nights nor the juggling. The hardest, toughest, most difficult thing for me was actually to send out emails and facebook messages to my friends, informing them of my new online store, and asking them to help spread the word as a form of publicity.

Some of my friends are very encouraging  and supportive, and I am very, very thankful. There are those who are not even parents and do not have kids, yet they helped to spread the word, liked the facebook page, and sent me encouraging emails and notes.

Yet there are also friends who did not reply to my emails or messages, even after more than a month. My hubby told me to manage my expectations and not be disappointed. Which I agree. And this is one great lesson that I have to learn in this new journey.

Be thankful.
Be gracious.
Have a positive attitude when faced with negative responses.

3. Keep on going.

On the same day that I launched the online store, my hubby and I received a very disheartening news. I felt as if our world might be collapsing soon. Yet, I've created the website, invested the time and money, sent out emails and announed the start of my new business. I didn't feel like continuing, but I also know that there is no turning back. 

I guess even if nothing works out, I would have developed some "muscles" of determination and tenacity through this new venture.

So, yes, this is a simple thing.
But it is definitely not easy.

But I'm still glad that I've finally started this. It is in fact, one of my goals for this year.

47 more days before the year comes to an end.

What were the goals you've set at the beginning of the year?
What are your dreams?

Go for it.
Just do it.