Don't Be a Sellout

Copper Leaves Earrings

Do what you love and love what you do.  Yes, it is as simple as that.  As a creative business owner, it may be tempting to jump on the wagon and make the same kind of things that you see everyone else selling.  It is selling after all, right?  I'm going to tell you not to give into this temptation and I've even been guilty of it a few times myself while starting out.  I'll even be nice and tell you why :)

First off, anything that does not contain 100% of your heart and soul does not deserve any of your attention.  If you don't love it yourself, it becomes all that much harder to stand behind it and convince others (your buyers) why they should love it (and why should they if you don't?).  Why waste your time on all that effort?

Red Poppies Hand Painted Scrabble Necklace

Second, giving into whatever you feel would sell better just further floods an already crowded market which also makes it even harder to convince buyers to buy your item among an ocean of duplicates.  Is there really a point to being one of a million?  Is that strategy really worth your time?

Third, it's cool to be your own unique (maybe even a little weird) person, who wants to be "normal" anyway?  Stand out from the crowd and show your own style in your creations and it will be a breeze to show how much you enjoyed working on it.  You will find your own niche and your customers will be very loyal once they discover you.  After all, only you can create your own style of products.  No need to worry about trends, fads, or anything else that goes with the tide.

Secret Place Locket

I'm not saying you should never ever make items that fit a current trend and if you specialize in trending items and it works for you then that's wonderful!  You all know I make nature inspired jewelry.  There is a TON of nature inspired jewelry out there.  I may see something I love that's trendy right now, such as an owl charm necklace, and want to recreate it and there's nothing wrong with that.  However, what I do is create it with my own individual style that is unique from the mass of other owl charm necklaces.  Even though it may fit a current trendy style, it stands out. So, simply put, just be you!