Is Your Business Fulltime?

[MichaelaJewelry]

I'm just curious how you are all managing your business? Full-time? Part-time? and how it's going?

I'm currently working a full-time job as a legal secretary and I dream of the day I can work on my jewelry business full-time.  At the end of the day I'm usually exhausted but I spend as much time as I can of an evening and my weekends are spent on my jewelry business. I'm currently seeking part-time employment so I can start working on my jewelry business more.  But it seems that jobs are hard to come by in this economy - even part-time jobs! 

How are you all handling it?

[trusk4u]

I wish you well on your quest!

I have an all handmade store in NC and it is full time I would say. Sometimes I bring smaller projects to work on but I find it hard to do much jewelry making here.
Jobs are hard to come by and people are not spending much either. Business has been quite slow despite more traffic in the store. If this continues, I may have to close after Christmas. Reality bites.

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

Sorry things are so slow for you Teresa!  Maybe you will get the Christmas rush that saves so many shops for the next year.
After graduating college I found that teaching jobs are impossible to come by unless you know, are married to, or sleeping with one of the higher ups in the district...so I work part time for a friend at her deli, sub on the side when I can and work the business and websites full time.  Love how when I look at it I really have one full time job I love and two part time jobs that bring in the steady check!

[Nárrína]

I have a part-time job as a library page (only 18 hours-a-week), but I also just a few weeks ago finished and had approved the paperwork for starting my jewelry business as a limited liability company.  As my business is still very new and only recently out of the "hobby" stage, it's probably closer to being part-time than full-time right now. However, as soon as it's built up to being self-sustaining (and growing), I will be dropping my part-time job to make this my only job (I'm hoping to be able to do this in about 5 or so years).

[Larissa]

Three concurrent careers here:  Lawyer by day, face painter/body artist by other day, soaper by night.

[trusk4u]

Sorry things are so slow for you Teresa!  Maybe you will get the Christmas rush that saves so many shops for the next year.
After graduating college I found that teaching jobs are impossible to come by unless you know, are married to, or sleeping with one of the higher ups in the district...so I work part time for a friend at her deli, sub on the side when I can and work the business and websites full time.  Love how when I look at it I really have one full time job I love and two part time jobs that bring in the steady check!

Thanks, I can only hope! I just keep plugging away, but at least I know that it's not just me. I chatted with Patty next door this morning and her days are about the same as mine, so I know that being on street level is not the answer. I was never under the impression that this would be easy and it certainly is not. It's just really hard to stay upbeat some days. I wil start up with the FB ads again towards the end of Oct./beginning of Nov. Hopefully that will help and remind people that we are hear and open for business.

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

We actually talked to a woman from your area this weekend at a show!  We told her about you and the shop and she said when she gets home she would definitely look you up!

[MichaelaJewelry]

This is great hearing about all your different experiences! I agree though, I think alot of artists are struggling and it's definitely a sign of the times because I see SO many talented artists going through the same thing. 

I always wonder when things are slow if there's another angle to your business that can keep you financially going until things pick up.  There's nothing worse than loving to create but you have to go and get a job you hate just to bring in a pay check.   

Trusk4U - sorry to hear! - who knows something may come along and you won't have to close up shop. Try and stay positive. I hope everything works out for you and you don't have to close your shop. FB ads are good too - sounds like that would be a great time to start one - just in time for the holidays!  Also, what is your Facebook page I would like to "Like" it.   

MakinTheBestofIt - that's great that you have a a few other things going to bring in the steady pay check until things pick up a bit more.

Narrina - How exciting for you! Good luck with your new venture.  This is a great forum to help you with any questions you have along the way as your business grows.

Larissa - Yikes! you're busy!! being a legal secretary for the last 17 years I know how stressful the legal field can be but you still manage to fit in your art! When do you get time to sleep?   

Thank you to everybody who has posted and given feedback.  We are all in this journey together and it's great that we can all support and be there for each other. 

[Larissa]

Who said anything about sleep?

 

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

Larissa, you sleep?  Sleep is for when you are dead! 

[DeltaMoonSoap]

I've been full time for 10 years now. I work harder for myself that I ever have for anyone else and I wouldn't trade it for anything!
It's not easy at times, what is?
If that's what you aspire to do, don't give up! Make it happen. Taking small steps is ok, you know what they say about a journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step!
Wishing all of your success!

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

I know from chatting around the forum that most of us are in the same boat...trying to work out a formula that allows us to create and pay the bills at the same time. We have a business plan that leads to that end, but it is a long process.  My biggest advice would be to remain open to ideas even if it isn't something you would have thought of ever doing.  You never know what will spark an idea that will take you in a direction you have never been before.  After all, that is how the forum and the shop got started!

[Talena]

hi all,
My craft is more of primitive & country decor. I must say it drives me nuts to figure out what will sell and what won't.
I used to own a shop and work full time. The shop only opend in the evenings during the week and then regular hours on the weekend.
Needless to say it took it's toll since I was a one woman band and had to do everything myself. I eventually closed shop but I learned a valuable lesson and maybe I might try again later...who knows.
With the economy the way it is, I think I will just stick to doing craft shows and writing books. :-)
Much success to everyone

[Larissa]

Larissa, you sleep?  Sleep is for when you are dead! 

That's kinda what I figure!

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

I've been full time for 10 years now. I work harder for myself that I ever have for anyone else and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

I know the feeling...my boss is a slave driver and I am never able to do enough to please her!  She hasn't given me a raise in forever and refuses to accept my resignation papers....
...and I wouldn't change if for the world!