As an entrepreneur, I spent a lot of my time wanting things to go faster. When I send out an email, I always want people to respond immediately (not that I always return the favor, mind you!). When I have someone doing work for me, I want it to be done like…now. When I order something online, I always hold out hope that by some miracle Canada Post will deliver my package later the same day (like on a super-sonic jet? I haven’t really thought that one through to the end).
I always figure if I can get all MY work done while the baby is napping and after the kids are in bed, surely the rest of the world can at least keep up. But as you might imagine, it doesn’t always work out that way.
About 4 months ago after trying to figure out the next steps for my website, I decided that I would get fussy baby onesies designed, and sell them on the site. After I made the decision, I was right on top of it.
Held a focus group, found a manufacturer, got a graphic illustrator to design the slogans, found a screenprinter. Did up a budget and basic project plan. Sent in my order. Set up a web store. Registered.
Multiple Choice Quiz
After my part was done, how long did it take to get the onesies completed and ready to sell:
a) 1 day
b) 2 weeks
c) 2.5 months
The main delay was in getting certain colors of onesies. I really wanted organic, and funky colors, not white and baby blue and pink. But there is only one company that makes and wholesales them in Canada (that I know of), in the colors I wanted. And while they were expecting my colors to arrive here in BC early March, they only arrived a couple of weeks ago. Urg.
Finally the completed onesies arrived on my doorstep last week (and were worth the wait, by the way!). I looked forward to the process of getting pictures up on the site, completing my web store, and taking my time putting the finishing touches on things.
And then the producer at Breakfast TV here in Vancouver emailed about being on TV to talk about my website and fussy babies. That gave me 1.5 weeks to get everything done (I didn’t want to pass up the traffic the show would send to the site!). And my husband was going out of town.
And suddenly my pretty little web store was broken . And I had no idea why. And I set up a photo shoot for the onesies, and none of the pictures worked. So I had to do them all again. And edit them. And put up a sample of the onesies so at least people could choose from a few. And try to fix my store.
But now that the interview is over (did it this morning…my birthday!) I can relax a bit and slow down for a little while. Unless anything else goes wrong. Which I’m sure it won’t.
This is SO true…which is exactly why my home-based business lasted exactly 6 months. It is WAY easier to work for someone else! Maybe not as rewarding but I don’t think people realize how much of yourself you have to give.
Congratulations to you and good luck!
The onesies are SO cute! Congrats on the BT gig. Btw, I totally know what you mean. We have been experiencing the exact same thing at urbanmoms.ca…must be entrepreneur syndrome 😉
I totally feel your pain. How did the BTV work out?