February Income + Goals Report | 2018 Income Reports
While attending Alt Summit in Palm Springs last month, I had an incredibly big realization. I’ve always known that there is more than enough to go around for everyone, but during my last 3 or so years in the hyper local small business space, I couldn’t help but start feeling deflated by the rising amount of competition. I found myself being very secretive about how I make my products, the suppliers I used, my techniques, etc.
I started feeling that I had to guard how I was building my business, because that’s what everyone else was doing.
Even those in other industries would guard their sponsorship contacts, their retail store contacts or tips and tricks in their businesses that help them do it better. I felt like there was a whole lot of talk about building each other up, but when it really came down to it, nobody was sharing the information that was getting them further in business (or in life).
It took getting on a plane and flying to Palm Springs to shake things up and give me a big ol’ neon reminder that this is not what being a woman in business is about. Here were incredible woman (including those with 100,000 followers) connecting with other women (with 1000 followers) and casually teaching them over lunch how to properly and organically grow your instagram. A small graphic design freelancer was asking a woman who sold enamel pins where she might be able to make enamel pins of her own. A wooden sign maker trading techniques with another wooden sign maker. I mean, my jaw nearly hit the floor.
This is what being a woman in business really means. This is what it means to lift each other up.
It’s not about who is doing it better, about one person stealing all of the glory. It’s about all of us, making our dreams come true in our corner of the world. Because the world is a big place guys. There really is room for all of us to totally rock our socks off. So we should be helping others do the same. #endrant
So that being said, I felt motivated to finally do something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time. Every month, I’ll be sharing my monthly income reports (with a few line exceptions). Yes, I’m scared it might bite me in the behind, but I also know it might other makers in their decision to pursue a handmade business. It might inspire someone to give it a try, to pursue a lifestyle that is more rewarding for them, or like me, makes living with a chronic pain illness a little bit easier.
So here goes nothin’
February Thoughts & Lessons Learned
- You can’t wait to find your community or your tribe – you have to build it. Invite people in instead of waiting to be invited.
- There is more than enough to go around for everyone. Come from a place of abundance instead of a place of lack
- February is usually a bit slower than January. This month was no exception for me & my biz. That’s ok, I used this time to catch up on orders, and spend a little time reflecting on how far we’ve come.
February Wins
- Sent a batch of wholesale goodies to TWO shops this month
- Went to Alt Summit and had the time of my life (obvi)
February Income
- Product Sales (Retail, Online, Wholesale, Consignment) – $XXXX (not yet, maybe as we build a little more trust, hey?)
- Sponsored Posts – $0.00 (ha! maybe someday?)
- Affiliate Revenue – $52 – not much this month (peanuts, really, but you have to start somewhere)! This affiliate income came mostly from the following affiliate programs:
- Etsy (via Shareasale)
- Fiverr (via Shareasale)
February Expenses
- Chit Chats (Shipping Expenses) – $833 I still can’t believe I paid this much in shipping in one month!
- Mailchimp (email marketing + landing pages) – $30
- Iconosquare (Instagram scheduling) – $6
- Tailwind (Pinterest scheduling) – $15
- Canva Pro – $15
- Xero (Monthly Accounting Program) – $30
- Shipstation (Monthly Shipping Program) – $30
- Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop – $40
- Alt Summit (Ticket + Car Rental + Accommodations) – $800
- Shop Material – N/A (I have them, just not willing to share this information just yet. I can’t give everything away).
New Products in February
New Posts Published in February
This Month’s Favourite Makers & Business Babes
- Leonie from Maple & Oak Designs
- Victoria from Handmade Jungle
- Vanessa Kynes – Pinterest & Social Strategist
- Kate from Kate Max Stock Photos
Looking Forward to March – To Do List & Goals
- Organize all of my contacts from Alt Summit into groups of Sponsor Opportunities, People to Connect With and People to Learn From (idea courtesy of Victoria from Handmade Jungle)
- Write a recap of what I learned and my biggest takeaways from Alt Summit
- Complete links + mapping on our new website
Well, that’s it for this month folks! I can’t promise that I’ll be here every month (#becauseshoplife) but I can promise you I’ll always be upfront and clear about my hustles and where they’re getting me!
Till next time,
love + light,
Shannon
