This is TERRIFYING.

[Former_Member]

So... I started my Etsy shop as a hobby that would eventually grow into a business. Emphasis on the *eventually*. I know very little about promoting myself, really pushing to sell my own work.

I had a plan for the next six months to stay in my current job while I built this shop as well as my portfolio as a performer... then downgrade to part time while I let the performing (and hopefully crafting!) take the lead.

But now I've been offered full-time employment with a theatre I work with, which is something I very much want to do... except it's for minimum wage, which I cannot in any way survive on.

Which leaves me scrambling to get everything together here AND in my performance life. And I'm terrified of failure, because I haven't got a safety net anymore. Thoughts?

[Former_Member]

I have a thought on the time management part of your situation. Do you have any friends or family (or a hubby like mine) that would help you out with your etsy shop? I am an accountant studying for the CPA exam, so between a full time busy job, studying for my upcoming exam, and my etsy shop, that overwhelming feeling comes over me a lot. So I've enlisted the help of my family. My sister is helping make my blog and my hubby goes to the post office for me on a regular basis. My friends have also bought from my shop, so it would build up my sales and get me some great feedback.

Delegating to those in support of your life goals might help take some of the stress off of you.

Best of luck!

[Former_Member]

Thank you for the advice. I tend to want to be an island, so being reminded to reach out and ask for help when I need it is much appreciated.

[Former_Member]

When opportunity knocks, Sista's open the door - wide! I am so happy for you. So....set your goals....how much more do you have to make in income? How much product must you sell to get there? How many friends and family members can you enlist? Think about the cheapest marketing and the easiest, Facebook, postcards, Word of Mouth, Twitter, remember you can craft in the green room!

[Former_Member]

I say go for it! If this is your dream you'll be forever kicking yourself if you don't grab it. And life is a spiral, this will lead to unforeseen good things.

[AngelaFichtelJewels]

You know raven, I think we all feel terrified in the beginning.
Follow your heart. Go ahead and do your crafts if you can. We're women, we can multi-task (that's our middle name).
You will definately get alot of help here in the forums and with the teams.
When you feel overwhelmed...take a deep breath....and say to yourself, I can do this. You will surprise and delight yourself, and others.
Good luck in what ever you decide to do:)

xoxo
Angela

[Former_Member]

Choices choices, not always do we pick the right ones. If you're ideal is to perform, than go for that, keeping your crafting lower key (I'm assuming that you'll need to dedicate, triple extra hours to honing the performing skills).
I say pro perform, because Etsy can float on it's own if you need to "be away" from it most nights.
If you can delegate your shop functions to others (who will support you on this) than try that route for awhile.
Not nearly as comparable, I chose not to pursue my other craft (digital stuff), for a chance to run as a top dog in the company I was leaving. Wish I had went with the craft (in hind site), but I never would have had that position either, had I not took it. For me, the company sold itself, & I'm kicking myself for not having plucked that "craft" market sooner.
You at least have your craft here floating, so you can "dabble" in both, feeling out the better of the two, that is right for you, at the time.
Always go for what pays the bills if you can't do what you like. Work to live, not live to work (unless you're a worker bee).

[JewelrybySkye]

Welcome to Etsy. So much opportunity. Angela said it well, go with your heart. It isn't about the content of our life, but how we deal with the circumstances. If you believe in the intention you lay down, it will come true. So, just get out of the way as your life unfolds!!!

30 minutes daily focus on Etsy will be enough. List the average of an item a day and yes, ASK for help if you need it. Life is lonely on an island, it is nice if a boat comes in with supplies once in a while.