The Highs & Lows of Entrepreneurship

Welcome to this week’s blog post!

To keep my word from last week’s post (sharing more about the honest behind-the-scenes), I thought I’d share the highs and lows (or challenges) that I’ve experienced since starting my business again. It’s been quite a journey, and I’m excited to let you in on what I’ve been learning along the way.

Let’s start out with the good. Here are some of the major highs or wins...

The Highs & The Wins

1. Launching My Blog & Newsletter

I’ve never ever considered myself a good writer and I never thought I’d start a blog. To be honest, I was the person who usually mocked blogs or joked about how that would never be me. I’m sure that stems from some sort of insecurity, but here we are. That said, I’m so surprised by how easy it’s been to basically barf out all my thoughts on a page. I’ve found it actually very helpful for my overall mindset and emotions - there is something therapeutic in processing out loud which is probably why people speak so highly of journalling. Sharing my story has helped me find clarity around what I am learning, what I want to share, and what I care most about.

2. Finding Joy in Markets

To date, I’ve attended four markets, and whether I sell two items or 50, I’ve loved every one of them. My biggest takeaway? Adopting a learning mindset. After each market, I reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and I implement one small improvement for the next time (I talk more about this in this week’s video—check it here). This approach has taken the pressure off just selling and has helped me see returns in unexpected ways—like making connections, getting feedback, and understanding what customers are drawn to.

3. Freedom Through Routine

If you read some of my previous posts, you’ve heard me talk about the importance of my health and how my goal is to create a business that allows me to thrive in all areas of life. Starting my business has allowed me to really dial in a health routine. I’ve summarized the main parts of my health routine below:

• Morning & Evening Routine: I’ve become more disciplined and have way more energy throughout the day (I no longer get the middle of the day dip in energy). Reading before bed has been a game-changer.

• Work Out Routine:  I’ve developed a steady gym routine that includes a daily sauna and ice bath, which has been incredible.

• Home-Cooked Meals: I now have time to cook nutritious meals and focus on fueling my body with unprocessed foods.

The Lows & The Challenges

1. Selling to Shops (B2B)

This quarter, I’ve been focused on selling wholesale to shops. The idea was simple: bulk orders = quick cash. In reality? Not so simple. Here’s my process so far: I walk into shops with samples, introduce my goods, and follow up with emails about pricing and logistics. While many shop owners show interest in person, actually closing the sale requires a ton of follow-up emails and calls. It’s a slow process, but it’s teaching me patience, persistence, and a whole lot about the sales world.

2. Finding the Right Suppliers

Suppliers have been one of my biggest headaches. I’ve bounced between more than 10 different companies, and I’ve hit every roadblock—delays, low stock, limited designs, and poor quality.  However, I now source from a jeweler in downtown LA (a tip from a friend) and occasionally from Amazon. Moving forward, I’m determined to streamline this part of my business by cutting costs, improving quality, and finding a supplier who can handle custom wholesale orders (new things coming next year)!

3. Navigating Marketing Strategies

Wow, is there a lot of content out there about which marketing strategy is best... I’m currently trying to nail down what I do and how to talk about it. Right now, I often say I’m a custom jewelry business—but my vision is bigger than that. I love creating meaningful goods that remind us of what matters most. The challenge is finding a way to share that message without limiting myself to just jewelry. To help with this, I’ve started reading “StoryBrand” by Donald Miller  (well, I’m only in the second chapter) and plan to eventually implement his marketing strategy. This will be one of my major focuses for 2025.

Despite the challenges, I’m so encouraged by the progress I’ve made. Every win, big or small, has shown me that I’m on the right track. And every challenge is just another learning opportunity (my fav leader/boss taught me this).

As I get closer to hitting my $4K revenue goal, I’m genuinely surprised by how much support and love I’ve received from friends, family, and strangers - so thank you so much.

Cheers to dreaming big :)