Monday 28 July 2014

I'm a Workaholic! Who knew!


Wow! I can't believe a week has gone by since I started my business.
Even saying the words my business feels surreal.

I'm no stranger to working in an environment that requires concentration and attention to detail - but running a cross-stitch design company is something else entirely.

For anyone who's interested this is how most of my days last week were spent:

  • Answering emails
  • Answering Facebook messages
  • Replying to Facebook comments
  • Networking via social media
  • Sending out first contact emails to potential artists.
  • Talking to artists about the service I offer - incorporating: giving them examples of my work.
  • Communicating with my existing artists.
  • Workings on designs that are currently waiting for release
  • Dealing with identified problems with my designs (not much of that thankfully!)
  • Trying to get my website up and running
  • Doing photo conversions for customers
  • Learning how to use some new software I've purchased to help with my business
  • Dealing with any difficult situations that  may arise.

I'm sure I've missed some things off that list, but you get the idea.
Most days I start at 7am and finish between 11 and midnight.
I was so busy one day last week that I actually forgot to eat until 8pm. Except for a packet of fruit pastels at lunch! LOL!

But, I'm LOVING it!
All my working life I've been doing jobs that have moments of enjoyment. There have been times when days have sped by and it hasn't felt like 'work'.
Those days were rare and usually overshadowed by the days that were awful.

So, to find myself in a position where I love every minute is something to cherish.

There are some drawbacks of course.
I'm a new business and by our very nature, we humans tend not to trust things that are new.
People don't know me as a businessman. They don't know my ethics or how I will operate.
They only know me as a fellow stitcher who's friendly and helpful.

Well, I'm no different as a businessman people!

I'm here to help and I want you to be proud to own and complete one of my charts.

From a personal perspective the only drawback is I have a LOT LESS TIME TO STITCH! NOOOOOOOOO!

I'm hoping I'll get into a better routine this week and find a balance between work and downtime.
But, I do have to change my stitching plans!

I was going to be starting designs from Tilton Crafts and Paine Free Crafts shortly but, sadly, that will not happen for a while.
Instead, I will soon be starting one of my own designs:

This is Mother's Love
(Based on original art by Caroline Lord and used under licence) 


From a company perspective I need a stitched example of my charts. But, even more importantly, I LOVE Caroline's art and I'm a cat person - so to have this design on MY wall will make me very happy.
The side-effect will be good publicity for my company.

I'm a new company and my customers are the most important thing for a new company. I know that and I value that.
I hope that I will always be approachable and I will always find the time to answer any question you may have. 

First and foremost I'm a stitcher. Just like you!

HAPPY STITCHING!

8 comments:

  1. Margaret Baxter28 July 2014 at 00:38

    I love your blog and wish you every success with your business, and the time to stitch which hopefully will come when the business has time to settle down. I want to do Mother love when I have got some of my current stitching finished.

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    1. Thanks Margaret. :-) I'm actually hoping to start Mother's Love today...so, who knows, I might actually have a WiP update soon! Yay!

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  2. Busy busy busy but make time for yourself ,all work and no play is not good .

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  3. Neil - congratulations and welcome to the dark side :). I have to warn you - not only will you find yourself stitching your own designs because you need the models but you will keep finding inspiration for new designs and collecting materials that 'might come in handy'. If you haven't got a stash pile through stitching other people's designs you will definitely get one through stitching your own! (And that doesn't include all the magazines and photos that are required for inspiration and reference!)

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  4. I'm still very excited for you and LOVE your enthusiasm (which is key to keeping things moving right along). Please keep up the most excellent work!

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  5. You'll find a routine after a while, when everything isn't so new. Sounds like you're off to a good start.

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  6. Hopefully it finds a more settled place in your life soon fella.......you need some down time too. Good luck with the future

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