Running A Small Business While Trying To Have A Life

So the month of August is practically at an end and so far this is only the third blog for the month. Who would have thought when we started this blog a few months ago full of zeal and ideas, writing mutiple blogs a day that it would all slow down to not even a trickle... but a DROPLET!.

The hope was always to be consistent, after all we are creative people constantly thinking and finding interesting new things to share.... but life has a way of being anything but consistent. It seems inevitable that you'll start something only to be thrown a curve ball and no matter how hard you try the simplest things become a problem.

This past month has probably been the hardest of the year to date. Everything seemed to go wrong ... family health crisis... personal health problems... computers crashing... and so on and so forth. It seems like just yesterday we felt so inspired and ideas were flowing and then all of a sudden we found ourselves asking the question.. "why do we always seem to go down the hardest path with everything?"

The reality is,  there are no easy answers. Starting a business and trying to drum up support takes alot of time and effort. Staying inspired to create for that business takes alot of time and effort and then inbetween, life has a way of ...well, getting in the way.

As a small business you don't have the support of many hands and many minds to take care of different aspects of the business. You are the creative force, designer, manufacturer, promoter, marketer, photographer, financial advisor and then you blog, tweet, facebook and still have to put on a load of washing.

Does it sound like we're complaining? Well not really. This month has just been a reality check. At the end of the day there is no greater feeling than finishing something with your own hands from conception to end product. Even if it takes others a long time to see the value in what you do!

Here at GoS our business is about NOT throwing things away, NOT giving up on something when there is still so much potential in it. It's about creating pieces that are individual, for individuals and that will be treasured for years to come.

I guess our philosphy for what we sell should apply for everything... even ideas and dreams. Don't be so quick to give up on things and throw them out. Sometimes things need a little reworking and sometimes it just takes a while for people to appreciate them. Just don't give up yet... even when life kicks the poop out of you get right back up and show it what you're made of!

R&M @ GoS
xox

P.S. When all else fails remember... it could be worse! ;)

What's the GoS - The month that was, Inspiration & Desperation

Well we've come to the end of our very first month on blogger here at GoS. It's had it's moments, it's been up and down, we've been inspired, uninspired, mad, happy, frustrated, infuriated...  30 days and 43 blogs later we're still here!

Now us ladies here at GoS have participated in the blogosphere in the past and it is no easy task. It's always hard to put your ideas and thoughts out there only to feel that no-one is listening. That is essentially what happens when you blog as an unknown. It is those early days when views are few and far between and you feel like you will stay lost in the dark abyss that is the internet that are crucial. It's about toughening up and getting through those times when no-one is listening because maybe tomorrow someone will.

The same goes for our etsy store. It's never easy to pour your heart and soul into something hoping someone will notice you. It's a matter of staying put and doing your best to make sure more and more people get to see what you have to offer. After all, if no-one knows what you have on offer how will they know if they like it or not?

So what have we learned about ourselves here at GoS this month? We realised we're pretty tough! It's been a hard few months but we haven't given up. Even on those days when we ask ourselves "what the hell are we doing? this is too hard!" we pull it together, eat a piece of chocolate and come back tomorrow. AND we've also really enjoyed researching blogs, finding new things and bringing you "Fashion Fail Fridays!"

So this blog is dedicated to those who have listened in our first month. Thank you to all those who stumbled across us and stayed for a moment. It makes it a little easier to come back each day.

So if you're feeling a bit deflated today, like no-one is listening to you... chin up! It does get better.

We look forward to our next 30 days, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Stay inspired!
R&M @ GoS
xox

Crazy days and nights

Since launching our etsy store the world has been a different place. It's only been a few weeks but who would have guessed the complete madness it would all bring... and that's before you even make a sale. Not only are we sourcing items, making items, taking photos, listing new things, we are also blogging, twittering and everything else ending in "ing". Who would have guessed feeling creative could be such hard work?

Having worked for ourselves in the past we are aware this is just how things go. Lots and lots of hard work in the early days and hopefully it pays off in the end. The reality is that there is no easy way to make ends meet these days. GoS was not only born out of our creativity and wanting to share what we love, there was an also element that made us hopeful of bringing in some cash (as is the case with most people who sell online). In an ever shrinking job market you do what you must.

Having said all that there is a feeling of satisfaction that comes along with starting something and finishing it. It's a feeling like no other. And once those creative juices start flowing the ideas just keep coming.

Now to the point of this blog.... the crazy part. In all the madness I lost all track of time and dates became a blur so Mothers Day was celebrated last week. I saw my mom first and she didn't even know it was Mothers Day but we celebrated and had fun without anyone realising something was wrong. When I got to my mother in laws I thought it strange no-one else had shown up... my bad ... I was a week early. So do I buy gifts all over again??

Enjoy!

R&M @ GoS