Why I Started my Small Business
You know that feeling when you’re a kid and you see a keyring or a bottle with your name on it? Not me. My name is Melody, and when I was younger, I couldn’t find anything with ‘Mel’ on it, let alone my whole name! It didn’t help, my sisters Holly and Laura, could find their name on absolutely everything. All I wanted was my name on something.
In 2020, like many others, I spent all my spare time crafting to my heart’s content! I bought myself my first Cricut (which is still going strong to this day). I watched countless videos learning what my Cricut could do and experimented with the software and materials until there wasn’t anything in my life missing a label, and my boyfriend had an ever-growing collection of homemade gifts. I just loved to see my ideas made into something I could hold in my hand, something I could show other people. It gave me such a thrill seeing my family and friends’ reactions to everything I’d made, and I just wanted to keep making more.
When I moved into my first home in 2021, I thought I’d have a go at turning my hobby into a business. I opened my Etsy, listed some personalised wedding glasses and baubles, and eagerly waited for my first sale. Like most, this took FOREVER because I had no clue how to label and make my listings work for me. When I got my first order through, I was getting ready to leave the office and work from home for the afternoon. I remember staring at my phone, seeing the notification that I’d made my first sale, and running straight over to my friend to show her. I was over the moon, riding on a cloud all the way home, and I remember the feeling of wanting work to be over so I could prepare and pack the order ASAP. I still feel that same high every time I get an order.
In October the same year, my boyfriend floated the idea of attending his work’s Christmas Fair - I jumped headfirst into the opportunity, planning products, creating calendars to keep me on track, and planning signage for my first ever in-person event. I spent all my spare time making first Christmas baubles and experimenting with fun Christmas decorations. Looking back now, there are so many things I would change, and I wouldn’t make as much stock (I’ve still got some now because I’d put years on them, and they won’t sell now), but it all started properly with that event. I was so proud of myself for putting my creations out there, and I’ve been chasing the same feeing at every event since.
Five years later, Miss MarshMelody looks very different from those early days. The products have evolved, I’ve learned more than I’d ever have expected, and I’ve experienced the ongoing highs and lows of running a business. I couldn’t be happier with where I am now compared to even last year, and I can’t wait to take you along for the ride as I try to take my small business to the next level.
Running a small business can feel incredibly lonely at times, and that’s part of the reason I wanted to start writing about it. This blog is where I’ll be sharing the real side of running a business one order at a time. You’ll see the exciting moments, the frustrating ones, and everything in between. I want to document the lessons I learn along the way, the mistakes I make, and the small wins that keep me going. Hopefully, it’ll be entertaining, relatable and maybe even helpful if you’re on a similar journey. If you want to support me and my small business, do check out my online shop and my socials.