Comments on: How to Be SuperWoman Business Owner?

By: RobinMiller

RobinMiller — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 15:04:04 +0000

I’m struggling to with how to balance a very demanding, professional career which pays our health insurance and other benefits with doing 2 -3 craft shows a month, staying up till midnight to design and make jewelry, and squeezing in time to take care of myself…oh and last but not least, being with my husband – without burning out or exploding. I’m resigned to not having enough time to build my skills or expand I new directions until the Christmas season is over, though I was hoping to have new pictures of more advanced designs ready for the round of juried applications, beginning in early January. My only hope is to retire from my day job in a year or two, while keeping up this insane pace.

By: Autumn

Autumn — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 02:02:22 +0000

I was going to echo the others and say go with Rena’s batch idea…but then i think about my own method and realize that doesn’t always work. It’s a good idea (and I do it myself sometimes), but mostly you need to find the method for you. I may take photos of items one at a time, or pile them up and do a batch session. This ends up causing far more trouble (frustration) for me. I do tend to edit the photos (mostly re-sizing and picking the best ones), and starting the website pages on the same day. I’m not a professional photographer, so I perfectly understand the “it’s not good enough, even if others say it is!” frustration. Then again, don’t we have that about ALL of our art?

I don’t mess with SEO, GoogleAds or anything like that. From my understanding of your post you pay others to design your site. Right? There are some companies who will create and manage your site along with SEO and the other webmaster tasks.

Your website and photographs are beautiful Ms. Cathy! They’re only matched by the jewelry itself. I have pearl envy right now. Just thought I’d let you know that. ^.^

As for being “superwoman”… Well, perfection is possible. It’s a paradox in itself, and as such, cannot be obtained. The fact is that we’re all human, and we all have limits. It sounds like your biggest struggle is finding balance. So I’m going to tell you that “secret” we artists cringe to admit.

We need a break. We need to step away from our work and leave it alone.

Shocking, and horrifying. I know. It took me a while to admit that truth to myself. I have so many ideas that I can’t remember them all. Then I get so creative I burn myself out. There comes a point where I have to lay my stones down and just…not work on it. I’m overhauling my electronic files, preparing for two craft shows, creating new items, revising my branding, looking into email hosting and maybe redesigning my website (again!). I’m tired. It’s stressful. And there are days I simply…don’t care. I don’t look at the jewelry, I don’t touch the Excel files or website, I ignore the shrinking calender. Why? Because I need time to calm down, rest and regroup.

Owning a small business is hard. It’s demanding. And if you let it, it will consume you. My suggestion is that you take a few days to simply…rest. Read a book, take a walk, lunch with friends or whatever else. If you HAVE to work on the business, they maybe set a time limit, or pick a time when you know you can focus the best.

By: zoraida

zoraida — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:27:42 +0000

Hi Cathy,
I can’t claim to have it all together but wanted to tell you that your photography is wonderful and your website is elegant. You don’t appear to need a professional photographer or web designer.
I do photograph and edit in batches but cannot make jewelry on a schedule (unless it’s a custom order). I simply have to be in the mood to create or I end up trashing the whole thing. Fortunately for me, my daughter is good web designer and helps me with my website (zoraidajewelry.com not Artfire).
Good luck in all that you do.

By: Val

Val — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:08:31 +0000

Hi Cathy, Your jewelry is beautiful and nice work on the website! Being self employed, relying only on my business income, I understand the stresses. After some time with my own website I decided to get rid of it because it was way too time consuming for me. Now I sell on 2 hosted websites with tons of traffic. So as far as SEO, the descriptions, titles and tags are all I need to worry about.

I’ve never spent money on advertising and use social networking for free traffic. I find interacting with others in the handmade community is where I get the most return for my time. Doing your own photography is a huge money saver!

On slow sale days I let myself be creative. Best of luck with your business. Persistence pays off in the end.

By: Flo miller

Flo miller — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:15:03 +0000

Good advice from Rena, you’re doing a good job and your jewellery is beautiful also the photo! Thanks to my brother who designed my website, I have learnt so much from him, I now realised I need help in other to grow my business, I buy wholesale also so please, keep in contact!
Good luck!
Flo

By: Sherry Hooker

Sherry Hooker — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:43:38 +0000

Your site is extremely professional and your jewelry is amazing! Thank you for sharing them. I’m just starting in jewelry making (mostly for gifts and small venues). I find that, as Rena says, batching or departmentalizing really helps. If I try doing a bit of everything at once, all parts of my work suffers for it. Doing only one part of my work at a time (whether photographing or creating), makes a difference in how productive I am. And there’s a bonus… I feel more organized and less stressed.

If you follow Rena’s advise, you won’t go wrong. Good luck 🙂

By: Kathie L

Kathie L — Sat, 12 May 2012 01:11:37 +0000

Rena is so right! (But, of course – that is no surprise ;0) Cathy, your jewelry is spectacular! PLEASE follow Rena’s advise (batching it is…..)

I’ve been following Rena’s advice for years…. When I am active in my jewelry sales, her articles charge my motivation sensors ;0) Super duper jewelry artists congregate here… Take advantage – learn and grow….

P.S.: A couple weeks ago I was super-duper blessed to meet Rena and her Mom. My hubbie and I lunched with them! We were on our Harley adventure to Florida from Delaware! What an amazing/inspiring woman Rena is! My prayers are with you for your creations and your sales, Cathy!

By: Kim Ryan

Kim Ryan — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:19:42 +0000

This story really resonates with me as I’m sure it does with many many others! Sometimes it feels like I spend the majority of my time doing everything BUT making jewellery!

I find the “batch” idea like Rena suggested, a great way to keep on top of things without feeling like everything’s getting on top of you!

I try and do all my computer work and networking etc in the morning and then I can get on with creating (whilst working round 3 sons!). And then every few days I’ll do a photographing or photo editing session or the dreaded SEO! I think all of us jewellery makers are superwomen! (and supermen for those of you out there!!)

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:42:44 +0000

I know how you feel, Cathy! There are SO many things that have to be done that sometimes it seems like there’s no time for the fun part!

But I have to say that the jewelry photos you shared above are gorgeous – my favorite is the shot of the necklace strands – dramatic, graceful and beautiful.

Here are a couple of things that may help you become even more of a Superwoman Business Owner (if you’re not already doing them):

1) Do your tasks in batches – all photography in one session; all photo editing in one session; all product description writing in one session – etc. I’m just now really putting the “batching” principle into practice, more than I ever have before. And I’m seeing how much more efficient it is!

2) Simplify everything as much as possible. I’ve found that often the things that require extra effort don’t really make a difference in my business – they’re just things that I prefer, but could (and should!) be dropped. And simpler things are much easier to scale up as your business grows.

Do you know anyone who’s good at the tasks that are hard for you, who you could trade work with, or barter jewelry for their work? Getting someone who can quickly and easily do the things you struggle with can help you get to a place of profitability faster. And if you can do a barter or work exchange to get their help, it could give you a big boost.

Also, can you take one day a week to just create and design jewelry? Knowing you have one full day for jewelry coming up might help you feel less frustrated about your daily lack of creative time.

Your site and jewelry are beautiful and so professional looking. Please keep us posted on how things are going for you!