DAY 16

[Former_Member]

It's Day 16 - we're halfway there!
Today, we're going to talk about making a Big Scary Goal, or BSG.

Why bother with a goal (or goals)? Is a vague idea of where you want to go enough? You're still feeling your way around and "letting things grow organically"?

Here's a quote for you: "Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire." ~Arnold H. Glasow

Your Big Scary Goal is your flame accelerant.

Choose something still somewhat realistic (ie, you're not aiming to be the first artist to paint the Earth while sitting moonside), but that REALLY stretches you. If you figure it out and say, "yeah, I could do that - give me a year or two," then you're just thinking of a goal. Not a *B*ig *S*cary *G*oal. A true BSG should make you shiver. It should make you uncomfortable, and possibly have a heart palpitation or two. And then, as you continue pondering it, you'll find a smile is starting to work it's way across your face and that heart palpitation becomes your heart beat speeding up at the excitement of trying to reach your BSG. Dangit! You're going to DO THIS!

There's an article linked below. read it. I know it's long, but no more so than the ramblings I'm often writing here. Then get out a pen and paper and sort through all those thoughts crashing around your head until you refine your Big Scary Goal.

Then we're going to practice sharing it. Saying it out loud for the first time can be hard. You stutter a little, find you need a glass of water, and may have to try several times before actually spitting it out so that your own and others' ears can hear it properly. So you're going to write it here for all of us to see. Let your fingers do the talking, as it were.

So, go on.

Read this article. Then print it out, and reread it with a highlighter in hand. Then scribble key word reminders in the margin. Then do the steps. Then thumbtack all of it to your wall in a prominent place! Then come back here and write out your BSG, as explicitly and detailed as possible. Include numbers if you want. We're all in different stages here - it's not about bragging or wishing - it's about BSGing and BSGs are BIG!
The article:
http://www.stevepavlina.com/articles/power-of-clarity.htm

Go!

[Former_Member]

My writing is not that great but this is about my goals so here goes!

I began my Etsy Shop May 30th, 2014 with a goal - equivalent of a part time. I actually reached that goal! Thank God! I couldn't believe it!

However, I had never thought about the Big Scary Goal until today.

BSG. Dangit! I'm going to DO THIS!

I want to accomplish having a successful business that will allow me to work from home, provide for, and have time with my family.

I plan on growing my shop by choosing great avenues of marketing, expanding my buyers to include bridal boutiques and hiring an assistance. I actually know who it will be ;)

My Big Scary Goal is...

2015 - I am a profitable business owner with an organized and functional home studio. I have 100 items listed and all offering a variety of color choices (duplicating my #'s). I sell to bridal boutiques and cater to party planners selling in quantity. I also continue to create custom pieces for brides and their bridal parties. I now have an assistant who works for me part time.

In conclusion I am successful, working fulltime from home, having time for my family, and planning for a Bigger Scarier Goal 2016!

[TOMgirlApparel]

My BSG last year was selling 1,000 bras in one year...I did it (On Etsy, my own website, and Zulily,com combined)!

BSG August 2015 - I sell 4,000 bras

BSG August 2025 - I partner with a creative, charismatic and talented designer/seamstress. We work together to continue to create comfortable, supportive, and flattering styles. She handles the logistics of sewing, packing, and shipping. I handle marketing, business related aspects, and we work together on designing. We have a design studio with an office for a receptionist/clerical worker, and space for inventory with employees who help to sew, pack, and ship. We have a photography area for shooting new styles. Our office looks like this: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/204984220514461762/?utm_campaign=commentpin&e_t=71aa018a2c0945a5a2e3b81... There are great restaurants and a Starbucks nearby that we walk to for lunch breaks. It is near the ocean. I am able to drop the kids off at school, come to the office, and leave in time to pick them up. We sell to distributors. Our revenue allows us both to support our families and buy gorgeous houses in Huntington Beach.

[Former_Member]

So I did this exercise at the beginning of the year but didn't have the article which is very helpful!

In January, my BSG was to have 1000 sales by end of the year. At the time I had around 250 sales after being open for 7 months. I sat down and calculated that I need to average 1.75 sales a day and then have at least 125 -150 sales in December. Overall, I am on track to do it or come pretty darn close. :-)

My new BSG for the next 1-2 years is to reach a point where I average 100 sales a month on a normal month with 200 sales for December. That is the maximum number I feel that I can balance with my day job if I keep things extremely efficient.

My BSG long term is to be at the point where my sales are $10,000 per month (pre-expenses) and I have the option of hiring employees and/or reducing my job to part time status. I would have a large studio to work in and an independent website and also sell in boutiques and shops and galleries specializing in hand made.

[swaddlemesnugly]

I actually did this earlier this year, the shop remodel and website launch resulted from it.

My BSG:

2018 this business is making a profit of $30,000+ a year from the website & Etsy, and I take my daughter in as a partner, she quits her day job. She can do everything that I do, we'll decide which parts of the business we each want to handle. We rent clean, sweet-smelling space for inventory (cheaper than adding a room to the house).

2024 she is running the business, profits are $40,000+ and I am part time (right now I'm 24/7 and she can only help on weekends).

20?? she inherits the business and it provides her retirement income.

[Former_Member]

I love the part of the article, "set goals in binary terms".
If someone asks if you've achieved it, it should be so specific and clear that you can say 'yes' or 'no' definitively.
Danialy - in 2016, if I ask if you're a profitable business owner, if you make even $1 profit, you can say 'yes'. I'm guessing you mean to contribute more than $1 to your family's income. Name it! Be bold! Even if you're not comfortable writing here, define it for yourself. Dang it, you can DO THIS! :-)

[Former_Member]

My BSG:

- I am able to balance the busy periods and ride through the slower periods without stressing out and catching a cold. : ) (3 months)

- I have increased my listings to 250 + ( 5 months)

- and have increased my sales to the point where I am able to rent a studio.
(1 year)

- I am collaborating with designers and manufacturers who use my artwork for their products. ( 5 months + ongoing)

- I have my original artwork in at least a gallery outside Montreal. Preferably Toronto or US. ( 2 years )

- I have a part-time employee who manages marketing, sales etc., and with who's help I am able to take off to Costa Rica ( or Spain...) for a month in the winter.( 2.5 years)

...I'm printing this.

[Maiook]

Ok here goes:

2014: I end the year with 250 sales. I have my own website set up. I sell at 2 more stores either wholesale or on commission.

2015: I buy an industrial sewing machine. I introduce a new line of bags + men accessories. I average 50-60 sales / month. I also sell through my own website, locally in stores and wholesale non-locally.

2016: I take a leatherwork course in Italy, buy machinery and introduce leather accessories. I earn enough to rent a space and support myself comfortably.

2017: I turn this space into studio/workroom where I work and also sell from.

2025: I open a flagship store.

[swaddlemesnugly]

I love the flagship store!

[SweetSomeday]

BSG for the end of 2014: I have reached 1000 sales.

BSG for 2015: I have an independent website with an ecommerce option.

10-year-plan BSG (by the end of 2024): The income I am making with my business is the same or more than what I am currently making at my day job (including the equivalent dollar amounts for health benefits, vacation, etc). I have the flexibility to still work a few hours a week at my day job, while running my business is my full-time job. I have a couple of employees who help with acquiring supplies, photography, marketing, and product production.

[Former_Member]

This task was difficult for me, I’m very superstitious for lack of a better word so I hesitate to share too much but I will try. I have this thing about manifestation and the law of attraction, so I try to be very careful about what I put out there particularly when it comes to dollar amounts.

My BSG last year was to open “Not a Dirty Hippie” in October, I missed the mark by 8 months. This was because having two shops is big and scary so I was scared, go figure.

My BSG for this year was to reach 1000 sales at inkleing, I have 10 to go to make that happen.

I don’t have a BSG for 2015 other than to let things ride and become comfortable with running two shops. It’s not as scary as I thought it would be, just daunting dividing my time and attention between two shops as equally as possible.

The BSG for 2016 is to have all of the soap business go thru NADH and cut loose of the farm market & herb store outlets. (There is a reason for this)

The BSG for 2018 is moving into the studio at home. I’m not home till then and there will be a bottle of Moët. (Perhaps several bottles) This involves a cross country move.

The BSG for 2019 is to open yet another Esty shop or independent website for "The Herbwife of Raven’s Hollow” (Raven’s Hollow is the name of my ranch in NM) for the herbs that I grow and the Piñon nuts, resin and wildcrafted herbs that I harvest on my land. This will be the new home for all of my items that are of the pagan persuasion.

[Former_Member]

OK - back peeking in LOL

My BSG isn't so BSG
I used to have BSG in my previous life
Reached them and also managed to trigger anxiety issues

So my BSGs now in life are smaller steps that lead to bigger without me triggering my panic button :)

2014 - Shop at 250+ sales. Want to be pocketing $125 to my Starbucks fund monthly. Figure out how to juggle Etsy/teaching/engineering/kids/hubby (that will be hardest part).

2015 - Shop at 400+ sales. Pocketing $200+ to my Starbucks fund monthly.

2016 (and forward) - Pocketing $250+ per month.

Yup, widdle numbers. I have come to accept this is a hobby business for me. At least while my kids are young and my priorities are what they are.
<3

[VintageRescueSquad]

I think about my BG all the time. In fact, it's in motion.

Early retirement + a second career selling vintage full-time. In 9 years, I'll retire at 62 after 40 years with my company. I want to be young enough to do my dream!

To get there, my goals are to amp up my selling (both here and in the antique mall) to the point where I'm grossing at least 1/3 of my current salary. Scrupulous savings will supplement the rest.

But the BSG (adding the "scary" part) is 2-part:

1. Write my second (possibly a third) ebook to further establish myself as an expert in selling vintage. My goal is to have the second done one year from now. Building on that success, gain a regular column in the premier magazine in my niche (hopefully within a year).

2. Either form a vintage/antique show 'round these parts on my friend's farm (with 50+ vendors)—but that involves his commitment. Or, moving to TX and establishing a smaller show at "Antique Week" (twice yearly), which involves purchasing property.

[TooSplendidSupplies]

2014: I make $1,000 in sales.

July 2015: I purchase a 4 bedroom (so I can have a craft room/office), 3 bathroom, 1 story house on at least 3 acres of land.

2017: I have a part-time job within 15 minutes of my home to cover insurance and keep a 401k open. Too Splendid pays my bills plus makes an additional $1,000 a month to put aside for my BSG.

2020 (BSG): I have a B&M store within 20 minutes of my home where I teach courses on jewelry-making, sell supplies, and sell handmade jewelry and accessories by local artists.

[MagicMoonPottery]

My Etsy shop is the Yin to my still undefined Yang. My goal over the past 5 years has been to establish a portfolio career with my pottery business being a substantial part of it. Now that I’ve established that significant piece, I need to define the other part(s) This won’t happen today. So…..

My big scary goal from earlier this year was to have 1000 sales in my shop by the end of 2014. It made me scared and sick to say it. I still think it is big but not so scary.

So looking ahead to 2015:
BSG is that I will buy my own (large) kiln because I’ll need it in order to keep up with all of my sales.
I will (at least) double what I make this year in profit.

The airplane analogy is a good one. Being off course is not a bad thing. But it would help if I know whether I intend to fly to Rome, Georgia or Rome, Italy.

[FifteenMagpieLane]

Ok...first of all, the guy who wrote the article, kinda creeps me out....Did anyone read his bio????? Anyway, I don't believe in having Big Scary Goals, but I do believe in having Big Exciting Goals....So for us, a small shop that wants to be small, but still providing the extra income we need for our family while building our relationship with each other and teaching Bernadette, as part of homeschooling, financial management, small business administration, marketing, selling, etc etc....and art, of course....our Big Exciting Goal for us would be to pull in 500.00 dollars of month in profit by January 2015.....That would be very exciting for us! In addition, to be able to purchase a new lap top by Christmas....This one is losing its keys among other things......

[Former_Member]

The real big and real scary goal of mine would be to make my shop earn the money that can replce my day job. But i this sounds a bitt too boig and a bit too scary so i think i will set myself as become profitable by the end of this year and in 2015 i want to pay be able to pay a vacation trip from this profit

[Former_Member]

Loved this thread!
Thank you everyone for being willing to share your soft, vulnerable sides. It's been marvelous learning more of you, your shops, and you aspirations this way!

[Former_Member]

Thanks Valerie!

Ok being bold! My goal was small to some but huge to me.

* to make $200 Revenue weekly
* to create a workspace
* to develop a customer base
* to discover what I really wanted to create (do wide array of crafts etc.)

Happy to say I reached my goal thanks to a Vintage China set that started all of this. I also sold several flip flops and discovered my target market with all of your help.

I started wanting to make $200.00 a week/ $800.00 Monthly. I did it last month. I'm still in shock. This week my sales are at $133.00 and praying to reach my goal by Saturday.

I will write it down Dang it, I can DO THIS!

* To have a minimum of $4,000 Revenue Monthly (enough to be my fulltime job)
*To have an assistant
* To create a happy, fun, and inspiring workspace
* Most important to provide for my family without loosing the precious time I want to spend with them

Thanks again Valerie! It felt good to put it out there :)

Hope you and all our other team members meet their goals.

[swaddlemesnugly]

Yay, Danialy - good job!

[Former_Member]

Thanks Grannie K

[Former_Member]

That's the spirit, Danialy!
And fantastic on already meeting the first version of your goal! Woot Woot!!!

[Former_Member]

bsg

this isnt really a goal, but I can see this future...

I see an old garage type building. A 4 bay. With office in the back....
Me in office
four minions sawing away making stuff I dont like to do for wholesale, and the ysyal stuff that sells all the time...
I am still making stuff, but that isnt really my focus. I am busy running the business. Regular hours. Selling stuff from the little store. Schmoozing the customers. Old broad doing the packing and shipping for 4 hours a day.
The mail man is Frank. There are fights over the radio.
fine

[Former_Member]

I have a 24'x24' pole building on the other side of the orchard on our property. I handle the wrap conversions while 2-3 skilled mamas from the local area assist with sewing, marketing, and general admin for the cotton and linen lines. We have a creche on site for the women to bring their children.

I clear 50,000/yr in personal income. The company is able to afford product liability insurance and be at a volume that insurance companies are willing to cover. My mom is able to come and go as needed and her retirement income is supplemented for comfortable living.

I'm able to spend at least 5 evenings a week with my kids and husband. I attend 2 significant babywearing conferences a year. Babywearers get in touch to ask if they be on a testers list for new features. Well known babywearing bloggers swoon when I agree to do a giveaway with them. They do not charge me, they thank me.

My orders are all shipped by their original ship dates and with time to spare.

[TomboyPrettyJewelry]

My big dream goal: to get back my product in a shop. I was a member of retail co-op for 5 months and had good sales. I enjoyed dropping off a new creations, having a physical location, a stationary display and interacting with customers.