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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / blog & handmade advice / {Quit Your Day Job, featuring Lisa From Scratch}

{Quit Your Day Job, featuring Lisa From Scratch}

January 20, 2011 · 21 Comments
Filed Under: blog & handmade advice, inspiration, Quit Your Day Job series, shop feature

Editors note:
It has been 8 lovely months since I quit my day job to work on Gussy Sews full time — and to help celebrate the anniversary of this little dream of mine, I’ve got a handful of artists lined up over the next week or so to share their “I quit my day job” story with you :] I’m pumped!

I’m the first to admit how important community is — I would not still be here if it weren’t for the help of community. Click here to see yesterday’s post.

Stay tuned for many more stories of encouragement, inspiration and how-to with my {Quit Your Day Job} mini-series.

*

Bio:

I’m Lisa, a 20-something wife and momma to two furbabies, with an intense and insatiable desire to create. I am a mostly self-taught sewist {as my husband calls me} and create makeup bags, tote bags and all kinds of little odds and ends. I also dabble in digital design.

I try to challenge myself with each new project I try.

The Interview:

1. What were some ways you prepared to become a handmade biz owner {your day-to-day schedule, financially, emotionally, etc.}?
I can’t say that I had much of a plan when I quit my job. It was the perfect storm of being frustrated with my job, craving the freedom to create, wanting to prep for trying to get pregnant and this new hobby I had picked up: sewing. Once I quit, I had the realization that I didn’t really know what I was doing and hadn’t planned very well. It took me a few weeks to get the wheels turning. I created a budget, made infinite lists and was constantly researching new things to try. I had started an Etsy page the year before for jewelry, and didn’t have much luck. So I made up a bunch of bags and started from there.

2. Share with us a positive “ah-hah” moment from this process.
My first “ah-ha!” moment was just a few weeks into starting this new venture. I received an e-mail from a woman who was interested in making a bulk order for her new line of organic baby products. I went back and forth with her for about a week trying to pin down what she wanted. It forced me to create a spreadsheet and really look at the numbers part of this project. I’m not good with numbers, so I enlisted the help of my smarty-pants husband and he did the math with me to be able to give her a quote. Even though it didn’t end up working out it was a great experience. I got to feel an incredible excitement at the thought of someone potentially wanting me for a project of this undertaking, and also how complicated the business aspect of this “hobby” can be.

3. What was the time frame from when you decided you were going to quit to when you actually put in your notice/took some serious steps toward becoming self-employed?
I first started talking about quitting my job this past summer. I quit my job at the beginning of September. It wasn’t an incredibly long time. But it seemed like from the first time the thought crept into my head, it was all I could think of. By the time I gave my notice I was so miserable while I was at work, I don’t think anyone was surprised that I left.

4. What was your first day like as a handmade biz owner? Describe your feelings, were you really excited? Did it seem soooo weird to be home/self-employed? Share this moment with us.
The first day I was home with my sewing machine it almost didn’t seem real. It took me awhile to shake the feeling that I was supposed to be somewhere else. I sewed several bags that day and I remember when my husband came home I met him at the door to show him what I had made. I was so proud of myself!

5. Do you write out a “schedule” for each day? How do you divide and organize your time?
I am an organizational nut job. I use the Daily Docket from Simple Mom, a planner and at any given time have about 6,000 post-its floating around with notes to myself. Oh, and there’s the white board on the fridge… I have mild obsessive compulsive disorder, so its imperative that I stay organized and have a plan or I can’t get anything done. The more lists I have the better off I am. I usually block my schedule by an hour at a time. Not doing the same thing for a long stretch of time helps me stay more productive.

6. What is a current challenge are you facing, and how do you plan to overcome it?
The current challenge is marketing. I am trying to make strides to advertise and to get my name out there as much as possible. Though I realize that you have to spend money to make money, as I am a fledgling business I don’t have piles of money to throw around. My plan is to start small and work my way up to advertising on multiple blogs. Starting here. :]

7. What are three tips you can to pass along to someone that’s ready to make the leap? :]
Tip 1: don’t wait for the “perfect moment” to take the leap. You have to make your perfect moment. If you let yourself make a lot of excuses, there will always be another reason not to take a chance. Tip 2: be patient. Things are not going to happen overnight. I struggle most with this, as I am incredibly impatient. Work hard and try your best, that’s all anyone can do. Tip 3: network, network, network. There are a million social media platforms out there, get your name into cyberspace. Start small like I did and create an Etsy page. Twitter, post your creations on Facebook, share them on Tumblr. Just share them any way you can.

Connect with Lisa ~
blog
twitter
shop
etsy

*

Share with us: What is something you need to overcome
{or something you did overcome} in order to take your business to the next level?
[need more? another feature is coming soon.]


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21 Comments
Filed Under: blog & handmade advice, inspiration, Quit Your Day Job series, shop feature

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Comments

  1. katy reitz says

    January 20, 2011 at 6:32 am

    i can relate a lot with her. thank you for sharing her story. i need to “meet” this girl!

    Reply
  2. Brittany J says

    January 20, 2011 at 7:27 am

    This is great – thanks for sharing! Also, I found your blog through the Freckled Nest and I’ve got to say that I am seriously eyeing those e-reader covers you’ve made – so cute!

    Reply
  3. hiyaluv says

    January 20, 2011 at 7:44 am

    oh inspiration fills my heart:)
    gina

    Reply
  4. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    January 20, 2011 at 8:40 am

    I see that you quit your day job too! I quit mine 20 years ago and it was one of the best things that I ever did…my girls are now 23 and 20. I hope these tips will help some ladies out…found you over at the NESTER.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  5. Sarah says

    January 20, 2011 at 9:39 am

    This is a great feature. I’d love to see an interview with someone who quit their day job without the support of a second income.

    Reply
  6. Kate says

    January 20, 2011 at 11:07 am

    How inspiring! I find a hard time thinking this will be me one day.. but maybe. :)

    Kate

    Reply
  7. anna says

    January 20, 2011 at 11:10 am

    I love this feature! Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  8. Stephanie says

    January 20, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    LOVED this interview :) I’m actually printing out her quote about the “perfect moment” and putting it in my crafty closet! It’s so true!!

    Reply
  9. brianne sheppard says

    January 20, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    lots of good info here! Way to make the leap!

    Reply
  10. Lindsay says

    January 20, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    This is awesome. Thanks so much for sharing it.

    Reply
  11. Kristin says

    January 20, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    I am loving this series!! So inspiring and motivating! I have owned a handmade business for almost 4 years, but I’m starting a new one and I actually have time now to focus on it since my girls will all be in school this fall! Yay! I’m really excited about getting started and I love reading others’ stories on how they got started!! Thanks, Maggie!

    Reply
  12. Kristin says

    January 20, 2011 at 1:23 pm

    Oh, forgot to answer your question. LOL! Something I have to overcome is my perfectionism. I am so afraid of failing! I have these great ideas (at least in my mind, I think they are. ha!!) and I’m so afraid to try them because I’m afraid they won’t work out! I’m my own worst enemy!

    Reply
  13. Sarah M says

    January 20, 2011 at 1:41 pm

    Love this feature of yours! I also love the post below it–your outfits are so cute and casual.
    Love reading these interviews!
    Sarah M

    Reply
  14. Erin says

    January 20, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    I found your blog via Freckled Nest. What an inspiring place, thanks for sharing your life!!

    Reply
  15. Sarah M. says

    January 20, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    I absolutely love that you have started a ‘Quit Your Day Job’ column. I’ve been struggling with trying to decide if I’m ready to quit my ‘day job’ and take on my shop full time, or wait a little while longer. Its tough to not get discouraged, because like Lisa, I’m an incredibly impatient person, and I want everything *now, now, now*. So its great to read success stories and know that someday that’ll be me. :)

    Reply
  16. Abbey F. says

    January 20, 2011 at 10:38 pm

    I also found your blog via Freckled Nest. I absolutely love it! :)

    Reply
  17. Paige Whitley says

    January 21, 2011 at 1:51 pm

    LOL at tip 1, “don’t wait” followed by tip 2 “be patient” .

    Reply
  18. Indra says

    March 18, 2014 at 12:06 pm

    OMgosh! I LURVE Lardee and ickle so much!!!!! I have a suggestion: You sholud make the little toof figurines and sell them! I am pretty sure they will be snapped up in no time! I know I would grab them!!! Save a set for me if you decide to, someday ok?? =D~ Audrey

    Reply
  19. Kerriann says

    March 18, 2014 at 10:51 pm

    That’s a creative answer to a difuicflt question

    Reply
  20. Dominic says

    March 18, 2014 at 11:21 pm

    that really does look like the best seat in the house!I would never run out of tngihs to photograph in that beautiful surrounds!!! This project helps us see so much more beauty doesn’t it?

    Reply
  21. Sergey says

    March 20, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    Today i had decided i am going to set a date to stop smnkiog as my lungs are tired and i do not feel good, coughing and this is busy making me sick.The 11th June 2012 i will not smoke and follow the advise i had gained on this website.

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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#womenintheword #wearethehomemakers #scripture #dailyintheword #titus2woman #healthylifestyle #mentalhealth #anxiety #anxietyawareness
Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️ Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️✨
A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
How do you play in the winter? // We had a really How do you play in the winter? // We had a really great time visiting family in northern Michigan. On my blog I share a few ways we played outside, plus I describe a memorable childhood game ❄️☃️. Did you play it as a kiddo?
We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens in the morning (HGTV), playtime before lessons, and not enough quiet time after lunch. This made for a really, ummm, unenjoyable learning experience. 

But today! Today we reset the rhythm, and we have had a much happier home & time learning together. 👏🏻
Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — t Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — think outside the box in terms of how you view the definition of “motherhood” 💓😘 (also: look at my little friend, she’s sooooo snuggly)
It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are turning. The tea is calm. 🖤☕️🧺📖
Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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