Former_Member
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Wondering...

If you're anything like me...whether it's actually creating items, working on photos, tweaking titles & tags...you are working on your shop every day, all week, all hours...as much as you can! Do you find that your family understands this *need* we all have to make this thing work?? Do you have a schedule, per se...or do you just fit it in whenever you can (like me)??
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Former_Member
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Re: Wondering...

Ya I'm that way.... Hubby and daughter are used to it as I've been self employed since 05. Toddler isnt so understanding...and is infuriated by it lol.

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Re: Wondering...

I hear ya! My boyfriend thinks I'm crazy. Even on my "days off" from sewing, I'm working on my expense/income spreadsheet, blogging, making treasuries, posting in the forums, etc.!

There is SO much that goes into making a shop successful that many people don't realize. :)
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lippybrand
Inspiration Seeker

Re: Wondering...

I dont think they understand, casue I dont really myself! :) I try to tell myself to just leave it be for a day, but I cant!
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Re: Wondering...

I don't think they understand. I usually fit my shop work whenever I can, get up early on weekends before anybody to have some quiet time for working. When school starts again there will be more time and I can finally work according to my schedule.
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Former_Member
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Re: Wondering...

I pretty much spend every spare moment on Etsy. A couple of months back I took a week off. It was so strange. My family is somewhat understanding. All their basic needs are taken care of so they can't complain to much. I do try to get them involved in what I'm doing as far as promoting. Conversations on treasury themes and ideas on how to better explain my personalized story books in my shop. I guess I would say they supportive. They do love my product and want me to succeed. So when ever I have any time here I am. Have a great day everyone!
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Former_Member
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Re: Wondering...

I fit it in when I can, but with that being said, I didn't get much needed spring cleaning taken care of!
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Re: Wondering...

Once I made a firm commitment to my business....my family understood since they witnessed the shift in my attitude. Still have certain family members on the fence about the whole matter which I concluded is their issue and not mine. As long as the people living in my immediate habitat understand, that suits me wonderfully. The Etsy bug has actually bitten 2 family members and one assists in my business while maintaining a shop here as well. So....if you can have them on board...life is merry!
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Former_Member
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Re: Wondering...

I try to fit it in when I can or when I'm taking a break from my thesis writing. But I definitely find time to upload new listings in the evening when I have more time.
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Re: Wondering...

I'm always working on something that has to do with the shop. My family has seen my time commitment progress and understand. Especially when I spend "my Etsy money" on them. I always tell them "thank PaperFlora".

Now my friends and extended family don't see all the time it takes. I had a friend
ask me last week "do you spend time everyday on your shop?" YUP!!
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Former_Member
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Re: Wondering...

I spend very little time on my shop, itself.

I spend most of my time making stuff, but they understand that.

But my kids need time too. And then there's work.
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Former_Member
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Re: Wondering...

I would always ask my boyfriend to not bother me when my studio door is shut - and he would constantly come in asking questions he could quickly Google or figure out on his own. It became something I really hated, that he couldn't respect my privacy or work. But now that I'm paying all of the bills he gives me more space to actually do the work I need to get done.
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Former_Member
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Re: Wondering...

I definitely spend time each day (mostly in the morning hours while my toddler is pre-occupied with breakfast or a nap) doing internet promoting (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Etsy Teams, etc.).

My husband and I both have home businesses, so we are very understanding of each other's needs. We schedule "work nights" and "nights off" depending on our work loads. Tonight will be a "work night." Then we meet for a "date" at the couch around 8pm to eat and relax... then go back to work. We have to work by night because our little monster of a son MUST be asleep in order to get ANYTHING accomplished. We live in a 2-bedroom apartment, so everything is in close quarters.
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AllieBlankets
Registered Buyer

Re: Wondering...

I'm always working on my shop. Coming in every few hours to tweet an item, checking my stats, etc...crocheting the actual items...updating my facebook page..etc! I don't have a schedule, I do it when I want to, but I always want to work on it. :)

I have a friend who plans on opening a shop soon (she and I are crocheting buddies) and I warned her it is a lot of work!
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Re: Wondering...

i never feel like there is enough time..
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Former_Member
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Re: Wondering...

NEVER enough time!!

Sherri from Toddy's Treasures...I have a huge pile of winter clothes that needs to be put away. I still haven't done the shift from winter to spring (and now it's SUMMER)!! There will never be enough time to do it all. Thank God I have a very understanding husband!! (And the kids are grown) :)
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Re: Wondering...

Things are all sorts of out of whack here now that it's summer & the kids are home all day & want mom. But this is my full time job so they're as understanding as a 9 & 11 year old can be- 16 year old doesn't care*lol*. My husband is amazingly supportive- even scheduled part of his vacation time to help with my Christmas rush this year. But I try to work on my shop as much as possible- never as much as I wish I could though.
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Re: Wondering...

I seem to be always working on something biz related. Whether it is product inventory. orders, photos, formulation, etc. I am doing something. I have pretty much gotten things down pack so I don't spend as much time on things as I once did. For example, it use to take me forever to take photos. Not that my photos are of professional quality, they don't take me nearly as long to photographed and edit.
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KriyaDesign
Inspiration Seeker

Re: Wondering...

There is no pause button. No stopping. I want to do it. When I am doing something else, I can't wait to get back to the store, posting, studying or tweaking. Or making new pieces. I am so addicted to it.

Mmm my husband is... we are two peas in a pod. Always up to something. My sisters thought we are both boring folks :-). No play at all. But this is my play. The store, the crafts... everything about them...

She called, "Have you watch..." No, no interested. I got stuffs to do. I am not sure she understands how important the "stuffs" are to me. She says, you got to take a break. Yes, testing new designs. There.... my break.. or shopping supplies. She looks at me... who are you!! :-)
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Former_Member
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Re: Wondering...

But the family always comes first.

My kids need me to tuck them in at night and throw baseballs, pick strawberries, takes them for a four-wheeler ride, take them swimming, and look at clothes, etc.
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Seembo
Inspiration Seeker

Re: Wondering...

I don't think they understand, but you have to spend some time, to make your shop successful
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Former_Member
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Re: Wondering...

For the most part my family and friends are very supportive, constantly challenging me with custom requests and drumming up business for me when they can. BUT (and that is a very big BUT!) the amount of time I spend making my business successful drives every one of us nuts! Sometimes I find myself wanting to take a day or two off but I almost always end up working on something.

Every minute is worth it though! Every time I'm able to get through another month with my store not only paying for itself but all my outside bills as well, I do a little happy dance and pat myself on the back ^_^
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Former_Member
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Re: Wondering...

Alisa of AllieBlankets...I think people have no clue how much time is required to REALLY make a shop work....UNTIL they actually do it. And then it's like "Ohhhh, NOW I get it!!!" Lol.
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Former_Member
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Re: Wondering...

I am in and out all day but then I can go weeks with only filling orders as the come in. Seems like the more I do in my shop to improve it, the less sales that come in. I'm getting the finally tweaking done to what I have now, and a stack of listings I hope to post over the nest month. Making sure I stay current.
The husband doesn't understand he just thinks I spend my days looking a pictures of kittens I guess. LOL My kids love to watch me work but I try to create mostly at nap and bed time.
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beatroad
Inspiration Seeker

Re: Wondering...

When I first started my shop (in 2009) I was ALWAYS late to dinners and get-togethers in the evening, because I'd be fiddling with my shop and taking new photos, AGAIN. I think for 6 months, maybe longer, this was the case. People were understanding in the beginning, but after a while it became a nuisance and I felt bad.

But now that I've got a routine going with my shop updates, I just fit them in when I can because I know what I'm doing. I make new jewelry in my spare time (while I'm watching tv usually) and then edit the photos and do the other tech work as scheduled throughout the week. :)
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