Just over 48h in and orders have been coming in. Wow!
It's such a great feeling when I see an order come in. I get those excitement butterflies. Thank you to those of you that have placed an order so far, and for those that have products sitting in your cart waiting patiently. I appreciate you swinging on by the website.
.... teething problems of having a new website... no biggies so far (I don't think). I sussed 1 the first 2h in when I realised the mock orders I did when testing the whole system and ordering process actually took those products out of stock (oh no!). So I spent until midnight putting them back into the inventory so my stock levels are as accurate as I can possibly make it.
I'm not a warehouse, I don't have endless supply of stock. Most things are less than 5. I've taken over the spare bedroom in our home as my office, store room, creation space and sometimes a dumping ground. This is where all the magic happens with the odd occasion I also takeover the dining room. I really am a small business and appreciate your support.
How does having a website make me feel?
Like a bad ass boss mum killin' at life. Its so good to see a dream come to life after such an 'eventful' 3 years of life. Many ups and downs but also so much sacrifice both with and without my control. Life can be a rollercoaster and just making it through each day is an accomplishment at times.
Having Rae.Create I see so much love, dedication, happiness and a creative outlet to bring my ideas to life to keep the happy chain going. Also a way for me to express myself through designs and products. It's quite therapeutic for me to create. Mind, body and soul. Up until Rae.Create crafting was for my own joy or as gifts to friends and loved ones or as an outlet of daily struggles whereas now I can share the love with you! And make the happy chain grow.
Sure, it's been stressful and to be honest with you it hasn't been easy. There's blood, sweat and many tears that have happened along the way in building Rae.Create and what you see in front of you. I've thought about putting it all in the too hard basket because it's got tough... Really tough.
But now I sit here with a hot chocolate while my beautiful family sleeps and I think to myself and (as I type) F*ck I'm lucky. My journey of life has put me exactly where I need to be. And I'm happy. The happiest I've been in forever. I have a wonderful family, a partner that has supported me through thick and thin, been the calm to my storm and has pulled me back to reality on the tough days or the days my head is so high in the clouds I think I'm superwoman and can take it all on.
I have a beautiful son who keeps me on my toes and many times of day in fits of laughter or face palm moments because he 'just said/or did that!'.
I can't help but even in the 48h-ish of having an actual website I miss the online person to person communication. Building that repport with my customers, gaining a small insight into their lives, an understanding and why they're ordering from me. Or helping with a design because everyone is different. All of this I miss, but I also know that I don't have the time to be chit chatting with everyone that crosses my path. I have orders to make and a family to tend to. A work/life balance has never been a strong point for me.
So please (so I still feel like a person and not a bot. I'm a tad needy baby, greedy baby at times) engage with my posts on social media platforms. I love reading your comments and input. I like to know that I'm on the same page. I have hundreds of ideas... Not all of them are cool and I need you to help distinguish the cool and the ridiculous. The wee hours of the morning create some out the gate ideas! That's the moment I know I need sleep... or another distraction if my crafting cup isn't full.
So.... With all that said, thank you again for simply being you and supporting my small business. I look forward to where our journey goes and I hope you'll be walking it with me
Chat soon
xx Sam
