Happy Wednesday!
Anyone else forget what day it was this year after Christmas?
I feel like Christmas happened and my brain took 2 weeks off, despite the fact that I’m in grind mode for 2 weeks. I had a great time watching my nephews open gifts this year. We played games and just took it easy. It was very chill. However it literally just dawned on me that today was Wednesday and I completed spaced writing a blog.
The week before Christmas, sales took off, so I was going to the post office daily to drop off orders. Lots of long nights trying to get orders made and shipped the next day. Lots of communication with customers. One conversation from a customer inspired an idea. The stories I’ve heard, the places I was able to research and to be honest the most sincere and friendliest customers I’ve ever experienced. I’ve even been told to contact them when I visit! That right there is the why. That is the reason working for myself, while stressful and puts all aspects of running a business in my lap, is why. Every time I got an order I did a mental happy dance. Every conversation was phenomenal and the interaction I had one-on-one with customers was fantastic. Etsy has made a huge impact on how to get products completed, understanding what people like, but still making products I want in my own home.
Many of my items are custom made, places customer hold very close to them, they are personal places and making sure I bring that same feeling into what I provide them is extremely important. I want that customer to understand that I will go above and beyond what they expect. No matter what you order from me, now matter how much you spend, I will put the same amount of care and perfection into my work as I would do from someone paying thousands of dollars.
That’s the artist in me. It’s my name on it, if I’m going to create something, I’m going to make it as perfect as it can be.
I’m very excited to see how the beginning of the year will fair. Will I maintain? Grow? Fail? Yes, failure is still an option. It always will be.
If you are reading this, I would love a share, copy the link → and share to your socials (stories, FB posts, etc) and share with your friends. Doesn’t cost anything but 2 minutes to post. Use #wanderlustandwit and tag me in the post.
If you want to add any info here’s an example — (copy and paste it)
Would love it if my family and friends would show some love and support for my friend’s business — Wanderlust and Wit.
Give Joy a follow, a like and a share. #wanderlustandwit
https://www.etsy.com/shop/WanderlustandWit
I now officially have a PO Box for my business. Step 125 out of 10,000. Right?
It’s been something I’ve been wanting to do but honestly didn’t like the parking on Cleveland Ave. My truck is much bigger and parking in this narrow area I now stick out almost 2 feet.
Last week while getting my plates, I was on the hunt for used books stores that might have old maps of places outside the US. During my adventures I discovered a smaller post office with easier parking, next to a Goodwill bookstore. Two birds, one stone. Drive home and got online to see if they had any openings and paid to get that address established. Biggest benefit, it’s next to a grocery store, a Walgreens and a gas station, that can all accommodate my larger vehicle. It’s also roughly the same distance away on a wider and much less potholed filled road.
Lots of pluses.
Considering I received a letter that almost every Rite Aid close by is shutting down, I have to establish a pharmacy that can be available all over the US. Walmart would be a good option once I begin traveling again, however the Walmart near me now is too close to everything else and much more of a pain-in-the-ass to get to.
So finding this smaller sized post office in the ideal location was perfect.
Gearing up for 2024, and beginning to plan attending two events a month (if not more) means I’m in perpetual research, creative, and trial and error mode.
In 4 days, I will become a star seller on Etsy! In 9 days, I have my 3rd event. My grind is now about making products and finding new ways to sell online. I have also developed 2 new, pre-framed push-pin maps. One is 5x7 and perfect for a desk. The other is 8.5 x 11 and perfect for a shelf. I’m going to see how they do for my next event and what doesn’t sell will become pre-made etsy inventory.
The push-pin maps and map ornaments became my item to sell this holiday. This sparked an ideas to create sports maps for all the pro stadiums, ballfields, arenas and rinks. It also grew the idea of smaller charms for cars, keychains and ornaments. Many have been premade.
Another idea Inspired by my friend is a smallish map that can potentially show every amusement park in the US. That’s 571 parks!! I’m keeping the fingers crossed.
“Would love it if my family and friends would show some love and support for my friend’s business — Wanderlust and Wit.
Give Joy a follow, a like and a share. #wanderlustandwit
https://www.etsy.com/shop/WanderlustandWit ”
Unsure if this is even possible, but you can bet I’m gonna try and make it. I have an idea of how, I just need to map it out and see how these parks are spread out and then determine if I can. Does the map exist, yes, but it’s much larger than I can print. The largest I can print is 13 x 19 and this is something I want to make. Who knows, the roller coster idea is down the road after I map out each and every pro sport location!! Make more framed maps, create the next product, and develop the new thing. Work on the next state. Yes, I will eventually have all 50 states hand drawn and each county created.
As it was once stated in a movie, “If you build it, he will come.” I’ll keep building til I complete my work.
Happy Wednesday and share away!
