The Glittery One gets oodles of emails every day. The emails usually fall into one of these 3 categories: 1.chicks wanting to know where I found Super Grover junk, 2. chicks wanting to buy something I no longer sell, and 3. chicks simply wanting business advice because they adore me. (maybe not "adore" me, but more like they think I am marginally cool;)
I am honored to receive email + giddy happy to help whenever I can. Business advice emails + messages are the ones I get most often and the ones that honor me the most. It is tough to be a small business owner. Whether you are a WAHM, or a chick trying to start something up when you get home from your 9-5 each night-it is never easy, nor should it be.
My business advice is simple: do what you love + be original
If you do not have passion for what you do, you cannot truly achieve success. Yes, of course, there are people that hate their jobs and succeed and makes tons of dough and drive Bentleys, but I am talking about a different kind of success. The kind that makes your soul happy. The kind that makes you dizzy happy to get up in the morning. The kind that makes you beyond excited to find someone to talk to about your new designs and ideas. The kind that you cannot wait to edit your pictures to show everyone the cuteness you created. That passion always shines though. Financial gain is secondary.
I adore my work. I am honored when someone chooses me to be a small part of their child's special day. That is an honor and privilege for me to have that connection with people. My glittery junk a part of somebody's important milestone. I love the idea of my business-celebrating glittery happiness- and I love the designs I create and the materials I use. I cannot wait to touch my glitter in the morning and I am dreaming up new designs every waking moment.
Passion + love of your work will spill over and motivate you to do to the additional hard work you need to do to run a business. The research, marketing, social media, networking, sourcing, designing, creating, customer service and discipline skills will all fall into place if you have that true love for what you are doing. Not easy by any means, but if you are in love with what you do, this will not seem like torture. You also need to balance your passion with your real life-kids, family, food shopping and sanity always come first and many of us forget that at times (myself included) and strive to find that balance. Even if you love your work and want to marry it-there are, indeed, more things important than a successful business-health, family and a happy life. Balance.
Be original. I strive to be a peacock in a room full of pigeons. I like different. I like real. I like out of the box thinking. I am not a follower of ideas, but a creator of one. I am inspired by something or someone at least a thousand times a day, but I can take that inspiration and create something totally unique to me. No, not everyone is a fan of my style, but I am. I create with love + heart. I design for myself. To put something out there that is different than everyone else is empowering. I have my own style. Not everyone digs that style, but that is the way it should be. I love that people can tell that I made something without seeing a caption or a credit. I encourage anyone starting a business to really be an original. Do not copy design elements, designs or items because you like someone's work or everyone else is doing it that way. It is obvious when someone steals from another designer. Everyone will know it. Trust.
Do not set up your party tables the same way. Not every party needs a dessert table against the wall-not that there is anything wrong with that, but I just adore creativity on many levels. Picture perfect does not equal perfect in my book.
If you are serious about creating a business for yourself-create a style, vibe, an aesthetic that no one can ever confuse with someone else. Stand out from the party pack in some way-even if that means standing alone. Brand recognition is an art. You have the power to create your brand. You really do.
Okay, I'll stop yapping. I am getting a little bit Preachy Ziggy. I am an oversharer-can't help it.
I will leave you with a few inspiring partyware designing girls that have seriously unique style. I can spot their work from across the internet. Take a peek at their completed sales for inspiration. These chicks are the real deal. Just a quick list- I know there are many more, these were just some that came to mind. Feel free to list anyone below who inspires you. Unless they are a skank.
Michelle {Le Poppy Designs}
colorful + creative collections
Do {Piggy Bank Parties}
hand illustrated charm + beauty on a budget
Bird {Bird's Party}
clever + creative
always coming up with something original + fun
Jill {Peas & Thank You's}
handcrafted brilliance + unbelievable details
she is the exacto knife whisperer
Linnette {Paper Glitter}
Kawaii inspired perfection + consistently cute and innovative
Abigail {Paper & Cake}
fabulously fresh + modern
Kori {Paper & Pigtails}
dreamy + charming
the designs that make chicks swoon
Jessica {Party Box Design}
funky + fabulous
chick of 1000 fonts
