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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / for fun / {on getting too comfortable with my business.}

{on getting too comfortable with my business.}

January 16, 2012 · 37 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, Gussy, inspiration

wild summer

last year i got too comfortable with my business.

i remember the months leading up to quitting my day job for Gussy Sews, which was almost 2 years ago now, and then the months that followed soon after — and how i was constantly engaging, learning, digging deeper + deeper to make sure things were getting done right, well, quickly. i was pretty tired, most of the time, but it felt good to be so engaged. time passed, and the busier we got the more help i hired. but at some point i know that i got too comfortable with all of this because as the end of 2011 neared i thought to myself, “it’s time for some serious changes. like, for real.”

of course this thought didn’t come all at once, but rather from feeling like i wanted to get my business back on track {nothing too serious, but a dozen or so ‘small things’ needed to be updated}.

in just one afternoon i had a to-do list a few pages long and i was EXCITED to start implementing them.

hello, shop re-vamp + new product designs launching monday, january 23!

in just one week we’ll be launching the updated Gussy Sews shop, plus new products + designs. it’s been such a beautifully intense month full of many hours spent cutting fabric, ironing, sewing. my studio is nearly stocked with new products and i’m so, so proud of what the Gussy Sews team has helped me accomplish. all because i didn’t want to be too comfortable.

so this tired feeling that’s taken over my body again — i welcome it, because it reminds me that i’m doing something right :]

SHARE WITH US: what have you gotten too comfortable with? what in your life could use some extra TLC? leave a comment below, let’s encourage one another!
xo.

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37 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, Gussy, inspiration

« {7 pretty things on Sunday}
{3 tips for selling your wares at a craft show // guest post} »

Comments

  1. katie b says

    January 16, 2012 at 7:36 am

    I can’t wait to see the new guss! Your so inspirational!

    Reply
  2. Tara says

    January 16, 2012 at 7:37 am

    Oh we all do it. I’ve definitely gotten too comfortable in my work. Need to step it up in 2012!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 16, 2012 at 9:35 am

      yeow! i always love that feeling — SO exciting and so much momentum! xo

      Reply
  3. Mandi says

    January 16, 2012 at 7:46 am

    Very exciting! :) I was just thinking the other day that I had a little extra money and that I’d like to finally order the Gussy tote I’ve been wanting … I went to the shop and saw it was down. Now I’m even more excited to see what new things are coming!!

    Reply
  4. Tiffany A. Nelson says

    January 16, 2012 at 7:51 am

    simply put. good post.

    Reply
  5. Colleen@paisleyblvd says

    January 16, 2012 at 7:56 am

    Can’t wait to see the update!! Sometimes I sit on my hands and put off doing things that I want or should because I am scared I won’t be successful at all. So don’t forget to be thankfully for the success you’ve earned and keep rolling with it!! xox

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 16, 2012 at 9:39 am

      i read something recently that said to stop putting things off because they make you scared or uncomfortable. i can’t find where i first saw it it, but i just loved that. so many times one teensy tiny (possibly) scary thought ends up preventing us from doing something super grand.

      not sure about you but i’m tired of letting those possible thoughts be in charge! xoxo

      Reply
  6. Skye @ Neathering Our Fest says

    January 16, 2012 at 7:58 am

    I cannot TELL you how excited I am to see your shop reopen and all the fun new beautiful things that will be in it! :) Changing something you KNOW works is so scary but the rewards you reap can be unmatched. Your bravery and biz savvy is unmatched Gussy girl! :) I will be the first girl in line with my pay pal ready to scoop something up and share your story! :)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 16, 2012 at 9:58 am

      hi skye! YEOW, thanks so much for your support :)

      Reply
  7. Kara says

    January 16, 2012 at 8:12 am

    definitely nothing as important as my work, but i have sooo been getting too comfortable with just pulling my hair up in a bun (hello grandma) and heading off to work. most 23 year olds aren’t wearing granny buns but they’ve been my go-to look ever since i started work (and drive an hour to get there). i’ve been thinking of linking up with lindsay for wwiw hair edition but i’m too scared i’ll always have to post the pictures of granny buns. and after your post on your pep talk with your hair, i feel bad keeping my long, managable mane all wound up. here’s to the new year and new hair!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 16, 2012 at 9:59 am

      you should totally do that!!!!

      PS. is it a messy bun? messy buns are so cute! xx

      Reply
    • Kasey M. says

      January 16, 2012 at 12:02 pm

      Kara I do the same thing with my hair!

      Reply
  8. Nadir@StitchSense says

    January 16, 2012 at 8:12 am

    I’ve gotten too comfortable with settling for mediocre when it comes to my handmade shop & blog. I think sometimes that “this is it, this is all there is” but I see so many stories elsewhere (like here) :-) that make me wonder if I could ever have more? Sometimes I think I’m not cut out for it or that I’ll never “make it” & its my fear that keeps me from trying harder. Its so hard to push past that too, I never used to be this pessimistic. Any advice or tips?

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 16, 2012 at 10:01 am

      can i share something with you? i believe a lot of great things happen to people because they seek after them. and trust me, i know how easy it is to become scared and hide in the corner. but think of all the things you are missing out on because you aren’t seeking them??? that’s something that always encourages me to chase after things.

      who says you can’t make it? who says you can’t learn that trade, that you can’t find others to connect with by sharing your story? pfffft — those are all lies, friend!

      chase! chase! chase! :)

      Reply
      • Nadir@StitchSense says

        January 16, 2012 at 3:16 pm

        Thank you SO much for those encouraging words! I love your blog & your story so much & appreciate you taking the time to cheer me on! :-) Blessings to you & your beautiful business. I hope to give you a successful update soon. :-)

        Reply
  9. Jen says

    January 16, 2012 at 8:21 am

    I have gotten too comfortable with my blogging, but at the same time I need to focus more on my family. I find myself needing to balance more with my other writing and the (hopeful) launch of a new business while maintaining quality and quantity at home. I spend a lot of time at mamaZEN. I get into a grove and I don’t want to step out of my comfort zone. I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about blogging and what needs to happen to move forward, but I am letting other things slide. ugg.

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 16, 2012 at 10:04 am

      are you wanting to blog less and be with your family more? or find a balance to do both, well?

      Reply
  10. Rachel Tatem says

    January 16, 2012 at 8:31 am

    That’s so encouraging: that you keep pushing on further and learning more. Can’t wait to see the new you

    Reply
  11. Gina @ The Shabby Creek Cottage says

    January 16, 2012 at 9:52 am

    There must be something in the water, because I’ve been working “behind the scenes” on some BIG changes to my shop as well. I made a lot of minor ones last year, but I’ve not really done much outside of my comfort zone in a long, long time, so I’m excited to tackle the new changes that I’ve decided to finally embrace instead of procrastinate. Can’t wait to see what you’ve got in store :)

    xoxo
    G

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 16, 2012 at 10:05 am

      oh there MUST be!

      the changes that make me cringe and get on my knees and pray? oh yes. those changes :)

      and PS. i’m excited to see what you’re working on, too! xx

      Reply
  12. katy reitz (lil' alice) says

    January 16, 2012 at 9:58 am

    This year I can’t slack. I made the move from hobby to biz this year so I am excited! You are encouraging and always giving that pep talk thru your blog posts to keep us all on our toes! Looking forward to your shop opening!

    Reply
  13. Lindsay says

    January 16, 2012 at 10:05 am

    It’s so exciting to see your reinvigorated zest for your business! I’ve kept a personal blog for family and friends for the last five months, but I’ve been “blogstorming” for a few weeks to launch my new public blog! I can’t wait to get it up and running, so I can finally participate in the blog community instead of just READING it!

    Reply
  14. Jen@mamaZEN says

    January 16, 2012 at 10:14 am

    I think that the issue is really finding my passion, not what I think others want to see and read. Then it won’t seem so all-consuming (I hope, anyway). Then I really need to find the balance to be Wife, Mommy and everything else, lol. I feel guilty and sad when I am not with my kids,un-supportive when I haven’t spent quality time with my husband and like a slacker when it comes to business. I fall back on my comfort with mamaZEN because I have developed a routine there.

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 16, 2012 at 1:32 pm

      agree!!! when you write about what you want, and when, then it’s easier to blog. if you want to write a really lengthy post, YOU CAN! and you’ll feel like it has more of a purpose because you back it.

      Reply
  15. Erin says

    January 16, 2012 at 10:44 am

    I definitely didn’t keep on top of things this past year. This year is a BIG year for me – moving back home (yay!), the arrival of our second child, and pursuing a long desired dream of web design. With the start of a new business, knowing what I know now about the ups and downs of having a small business, I feel I am better prepared for what is to come. I am taking things WAY more seriously than I did with my Etsy shop and really stepping my attitude about it all. Today (1/16/12), I even am sharing a ton of posts on Twitter linking to helpful and motivating biz articles. I am taking courses to perfect my “craft” ;) and even some indie biz e-courses to help me prepare for my studio opening this summer. I am making realistic goals and sticking with them (i.e. taking the next 6 months or so to learn as much as I can, build up my portfolio, and prepare myself before offering my services, as opposed to just jumping in excited but unprepared). One thing I really learned lately is that as small business owners, we have to take ourselves seriously, really put on the business cap, and present ourselves as small business owners rather than someone who just has a shop full of hobbies. We have a talent that we are marketing and we should be proud of that! :) So excited to see your new shop and all the wonderful things you’re going to be sharing with us this year. So thankful to be able to be a part of your life! :) (at least an observing part – heehee)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 16, 2012 at 1:36 pm

      ::and the crowd cheers::

      yeahhhhhhh! you totally nailed this, erin! which is so awesome!!!

      these last few months i’ve been perfecting my elevator speech. one thing i’ve noticed is that when i present my business in a professional way, when i give a few extra details about my business when people ask, makes all the difference in how serious this person takes me. if i become shy/reserved {which is so easy to do} then they quickly assume i don’t know what i’m doing. I DO know, but it’s hard to share that in 15 seconds. hehe — some days i want to carry a little diagram so they can see the whole, big picture.

      anyway, great job! love your comment and thanks for taking a few minutes to share this with us! XO

      Reply
      • Erin says

        January 16, 2012 at 3:21 pm

        haha! I agree! When someone asks me what I do, I tell them I stay at home with my daughter and have an online shop. Then I sheepishly smile and say, “I sell stuff that I make at home…” without an ounce of confidence in it. Now that I am taking a new direction, I am deciding that a new me is going to come along with it. Confident, proud, and not afraid to say what I LOVE to do! :) haha :) Although, you’re right, how do I do that in 15 seconds??? ;)

        Reply
  16. sarah says

    January 16, 2012 at 11:18 am

    Hi Gussy,
    I so appreciate this post and am also encouraged to not get too comfortable with my handmade biz! I recently started reading the book you recommended in last week’s post by Kari Chapin and am excited to take steps in making a more successful business and connecting more with the handmade community in 2012. All the best to you as you implement your new shop updates:)
    Sarah
    sarei.etsy.com

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 16, 2012 at 1:37 pm

      CHEERING FOR YOU!!! ♥

      Reply
  17. Ashley says

    January 16, 2012 at 11:31 am

    My business and my relationship with my husband both need a bit of TLC, honestly. I got comfortable doing the same old thing with both and now I’m feeling the after effects. The want to do something new and exciting. Try more new things. Get out of my comfort zone. Everything that I’ve been avoiding doing for a while.

    Great reminded to do what I’ve been needing, and even more so wanting, to do for a while now!

    Reply
  18. Kasey M. says

    January 16, 2012 at 2:03 pm

    I’m getting way to comfortable with letting my day job pay the bills. It’s time to take my handmade income earning potential seriously!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 16, 2012 at 5:58 pm

      mmHmm! :}

      Reply
  19. Ada says

    January 16, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    Oh, I just love this post. Such a good reminder that the only way to truly be successful to keep reaching. I love the idea that being tired means things are going well. That’s so true for me too and I’ve been gliding through the days lately, not doing nearly as much as I should be!

    Reply
  20. krystina / lollipops says

    January 16, 2012 at 5:50 pm

    Gus, you are always so honest. it’s so refreshing and inspiring! life-long learning is always so much better than stagnating :) i am looking forward to the big re-launch!

    Reply
  21. Heather G. says

    January 16, 2012 at 7:05 pm

    I think it’s natural to get too comfortable in *all* aspects of life from time to time. Human nature.

    Can’t wait to see the re-vamped shop!

    Reply
  22. Lauren says

    January 17, 2012 at 1:19 pm

    Wow. For me, it’s my house. It seems like if it’s reasonably clean, I can go for months without changing anything, even when there are plenty of things I’d love to update and change! This new year has my husband and I trying to motivate each other to get some stuff done!

    Reply
  23. Raechel Ferguson says

    October 18, 2012 at 7:28 am

    I’m a new blogger and hadn’t even thought of this. Thanks for sharing, Maggie. I really enjoy reading your blog!

    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 northern Michigan. She has been writing online since 2008.
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