Up Up, The Blog: the bottom line

Friday, September 17, 2010

:: the bottom line ::

when we moved back home from ohio, taking a 50% pay cut in order to do so, we knew it would come to this point. honestly, i am amazed that we have made it just about two years without my having to get a job. but here we are: i need an actual measurable income for 2011.

while i certainly could go get a job (returning to work at starbucks like i did in my grad school days, or teaching english at a local college or university, say - both would probably put more actual money in my pocket), my business is at a point where i have tremendous faith in its ability to thrive. folks from martha stewart living and cleo magazine (in australia) and even one still-to-remain-nameless conde nast mag (!!!) have been contacting me about featuring my work in their articles. i pick up new clients weekly and make sales in both shops daily now.

so where is all the money going?

it's going to supplies and equipment and advertising. it's going to product development. it's going to pay the babysitter, without whom none of this would be possible. but almost none of it is going to me.

it's time to focus on the bottom line a bit more, coarse as that sounds, because if i don't i'll be closing up shop and trading my attic studio for an apron and some close-toed shoes. and that's a switch i just don't think my soul can afford.

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tara - scoutie girl · 758 weeks ago

amen, sister. I'd say if all these opportunities are coming your way, advertising should be the last thing on your mind until your margins & systems can justify it.

another thing I know graphic designers do is sell their unwanted ideas. so if you create a 2 custom invitations, the one gets used and the other gets tossed. why not to the tossed idea into a new product that doesn't require much thought?

good luck! I'm rooting for you!

1 reply · active 758 weeks ago

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upupcreative 38p · 758 weeks ago

Thanks, Tara. I hadn't really thought about nixing the advertising, but that's a good idea. Eats up budget and all. Much of it is paid through the end of the year, too, which skews the budget a bit since I've paid out for months with no income yet.

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Lisa @ milkshake · 758 weeks ago

Yes, yes, yes. I am in the same boat and I'm committed to making this art business work and thrive! (Tara's idea is a good one!)

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Kate · 758 weeks ago

Good luck! I can't tell you how much I enjoy hearing you write about these sorts of things. It's exactly where I am, and this week has been such an incredible week of sales. It assures me that YES! This can happen. Aren't we incredibly lucky to have husbands willing to be patient as we see as this can happen?

I'm cheering for you and the mission behind your products!
Katie

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Lindsay · 758 weeks ago

Good luck! I'm about to dive into this myself, and its a bit daunting.
I'm putting all my good vibes and well wishes in this.
Your toes need to breathe. It just isn't natural.

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Liz · 758 weeks ago

Routing for you from out here. Love your blog. My advice would be to try & find a part time gig that allows time for you to keep all this fabulousness up while at the same time inspiring you in new directions. Chin up lady & keep the faith.

1 reply · active 758 weeks ago

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upupcreative 38p · 758 weeks ago

If only that were possible. I'm a fulltime stay-at-home mom except for the 15 hours each week I hire a sitter so that I can work. Then I also try to squeeze in another 15 hours working on my business nights and weekends. I'd have to give up most of my business time or most of my kid time in order to get even a PT job. Plus since both kids are 3 and under, I'd actually pay more to a sitter or a daycare than I could make in a PT job. If I go back to the workforce, it will have to be a salaried gig. But I'm determined to make this business thing work instead.

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Blaise · 758 weeks ago

You already are employed. You need to set your prices and rates so that you get paid. Whatever reason you may have for not doing so is simply a problem that you need to solve. You cannot sustain a business if you are not paid.

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Katie Stephenson · 758 weeks ago

I have no idea if this suggestion will help but I am constantly looking for independent paper-goods sellers that I can purchase, say, a year's worth of cards all at once. Maybe a few times a year you could list everything you have at once and have a big publicity push for it. I'd love to be able to buy 10-15 birthday cards, a few mothers-day cards, a few father's day cards, some congrats cards (marriage and new baby) and a few sympathy cards, and thank-you cards. I have yet to come across any Etsy (or similar) sellers who have full offerings like that. Would make for some larger orders. I'll be your first customer.
I would also try switching out advertising for button-swapping. It seems you have a sizable following, try to hook-up with folks who have similar audiences and swap-up, it's a win-win.
One last idea would be to offer childcare to one or two children during those hours you are caring for your own. I know--not ideal but perhaps more worth-while than hiring help to watch yours while you go to work.
Now, on to try to solve my own problems.....
Good luck to you, Julie, I wish you the best. I don't comment often but I really enjoy reading your blog and seeing what you're up to.

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nisseworks 1p · 758 weeks ago

It's reassuring to see that someone else is in the same boat I'm in. When we discussed my staying at home with our daughter last winter, it came down to either I would stay home and start up my business or work 2 jobs, likely both full-time (my partner's hours are odd, so we'd be paying through the nose for childcare). At the time, we gave ourselves a year to see if the arrangement was working - I'm at the midway point now and while my business isn't nearly close to where it potentially could be, it's not DOA, either.

I love your work and I can tell that you love doing it. But bills need to be paid and you need a roof over your head. It's a difficult tug-of-war to be in, but hopefully it all works out for you and your family. I hate seeing anyone forced to give up what they do - and do well - to work at a job they obviously would not rather be at. Good luck with your decision and I hope it's the right one :)

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Kimi · 757 weeks ago

Something I had to do within just MONTHS of first opening up was increase my prices—I was terrified to do it, but the business was killing me. I don't know if that's something you feel the market could bear, but it's definitely worth looking into. Also if you have a marketing package don't be afraid to send it out to all stationers—the gals from Hello Lucky started out just by sending a couple cards to Kate's Paperie and got their first sales that way. Another random suggestion—I'd look into getting some of your work done in letterpress, because your bold type would work really well in that format! Mercurio Brothers does deals with merchants, as do many others.

Also your writing style is fabulous, maybe suggest doing guest-posting on a blog??

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Gwyn · 757 weeks ago

Dear Julie I understand this oh tooooo well. I too must generate a measurable income for 2011. While I have extreme faith in my brand new business to do that, the possibility of uncomfortable shoes and a real job loom in the back of my mind. That is a switch I know my soul can't afford. I am rooting for you all the way! We can do this.

i am...

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Friday, September 17, 2010

:: the bottom line ::

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