CoachTemplate Turns One: 12 Lessons I Learned Running an Etsy Shop

CoachTemplate Turns One: 12 Lessons I Learned Running an Etsy Shop

Guess what? COACHTEMPLATE is turning one! 🎉 Can you believe it?

I'm beyond excited to celebrate the first anniversary of my Canva template shop on Etsy this month. It's been an incredible journey, and I can't wait to share the highlights with you.

Now, before diving into the world of e-commerce, I had been working as a virtual assistant for a solid 10 years online. But deep down, I always had this burning desire to create and sell my own products. Graphic design and Canva have always been my passions, and I saw a fantastic business opportunity just waiting to be explored. And so, the adventure began!

To be honest, it took me a while to take that first step. Out of the twelve months since I started, I spent a whopping eight months overthinking and not taking action. But something clicked in July 2022, and I decided to be more proactive, taking inspired action and listening to my intuition. And let me tell you, ever since then, my shop has been experiencing consistent growth week after week. Looking back, I've learned 12 valuable lessons in my first year that I'd love to share with you.

 

Lesson 1: Get started before you're ready

Starting earlier would have been beneficial, so don't wait for the perfect moment. Often, we find ourselves waiting for the stars to align or for everything to be in place before taking action. However, it's important to remember that there may never be a "perfect" time. By getting started, even if you feel unprepared, you open doors to new opportunities and gain valuable experience along the way.

Lesson 2: Publish and tweak

Accept that your work might not be 100% perfect, but it's important to put it out there and make improvements along the way. Striving for perfection can sometimes hinder progress. Instead, focus on creating something of value and refine it through continuous iteration and feedback. By publishing your work and receiving input from your audience, you can gather insights and make adjustments to enhance its quality over time.

Lesson 3: Trust your intuition and values

While it's helpful to learn from others, ultimately, follow your own instincts and stay true to your values. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the opinions and strategies of others, but remember that you have unique insights and perspectives to offer. Trust your intuition when making decisions and ensure that your business aligns with your personal values. This authenticity will resonate with your audience and set you apart from the competition.

Lesson 4: Experiment, implement, and be patient

It takes time to figure out what works, so be open to trying new things, implementing changes, and maintaining patience throughout the process. Running a business involves constant learning and adaptation. Experiment with different strategies, marketing approaches, and product offerings. Monitor the results, analyze feedback, and make data-driven decisions. However, keep in mind that success doesn't happen overnight. Stay patient, persist through challenges, and trust that consistent effort will yield positive outcomes in due course.

Lesson 5: Don't be a slave to your business

If your business doesn't bring you joy and freedom, reevaluate its purpose and make sure it aligns with your personal fulfillment. It's easy to become consumed by the demands of running a business, sacrificing personal well-being and happiness in the process. Remember why you started and strive to create a business that enhances your life rather than dominates it. Seek a healthy work-life balance, delegate tasks when possible, and prioritize activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.

Lesson 6: Keep showing up

Regardless of challenges, setbacks, or zero sales days, consistently show up and give your best effort to your business. Entrepreneurship can be a rollercoaster ride, with ups and downs along the way. There will inevitably be difficult moments and obstacles to overcome. However, by consistently showing up, maintaining a positive mindset, and continuing to provide value to your customers, you'll build trust, resilience, and momentum for long-term success.

Lesson 7: Take breaks and gain perspective

When feeling overwhelmed, step away from the computer, take breaks, and allow yourself time to rest and gain fresh perspectives. Entrepreneurship can be demanding and mentally draining. It's crucial to recognize when you need a break to prevent burnout. Engage in activities that recharge your energy, such as taking a walk, practicing self-care, or spending time with loved ones. Stepping back from the daily grind can help you gain clarity, find creative solutions, and approach challenges with a fresh mindset.

Lesson 8: Focus on your right audience

You can't please everyone, so concentrate on the people who appreciate your work and support your vision. It's tempting to try to cater to a broad audience in an attempt to maximize sales. However, this often leads to diluted messaging and lack of connection. Instead, identify your target audience—the individuals who resonate with your brand, values, and offerings. Focus your marketing efforts on reaching and serving this specific group. By nurturing a loyal and engaged customer base, you'll create a stronger impact and foster meaningful relationships.

Lesson 9: Take inspired action

The products that bring you joy and resonate with others are the ones that often generate more sales. Follow your passion and pour your heart into your work. Authenticity and enthusiasm are contagious, and when you create something that you genuinely love, it will naturally attract an audience that shares your enthusiasm. Trust your creative instincts, create products that genuinely excite you, and let your passion shine through in everything you do.

Lesson 10: Simplify and prioritize

Ask yourself, "What is the simplest, easiest thing I can do?" to maintain clarity and focus on what truly matters. In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the multitude of tasks and responsibilities. By simplifying your approach and focusing on the most essential actions, you can make progress without getting bogged down. Prioritize tasks based on their impact and urgency, and always seek the most efficient and effective solutions.

Lesson 11: Seek help from various sources

Seek support from your partner, friends, community members, and also remain open to guidance from guides and higher beings. Running a business doesn't mean you have to do it alone. Reach out to those around you for advice, encouragement, and assistance. Your loved ones and community can offer valuable insights, brainstorm ideas, and provide emotional support. Additionally, remain open to spiritual or intuitive guidance. Sometimes, the answers we seek can come from unexpected sources.

Lesson 12: Maintain a journal

Keep track of your business growth, learnings, ideas, thoughts, and express gratitude for the journey in a digital journal. Documenting your experiences and reflections in a digital journal allows you to monitor your progress, celebrate milestones, and learn from past successes and failures. It also serves as a space for brainstorming new ideas, capturing insights, and expressing gratitude for the opportunities and lessons that entrepreneurship brings.

By embracing these lessons, you'll navigate your entrepreneurial journey with greater confidence, resilience, and purpose.

 

Now, to celebrate this milestone, I've created a fantastic gratitude challenge planner journal workbook template, along with a matching gratitude card deck Canva template. I personally use some of the pages and cards to keep track of my own wins, big and small.

And hey, that's not all! In my shop, you'll find other bestselling templates for self-care, manifestation, mindfulness, and much more. So why not head over there and explore all the offerings.

Thank you for being part of this amazing journey with me. Here's to another incredible year ahead! Cheers! 🥂

Charisse x

 

 

Editable Gratitude Challenge Planner Workbook Journal Canva Template | Life Wellness Spiritual Coach Business Content Creator Commercial Use

Gratitude Card Deck Canva Template | Gratefulness Affirmation Quote Activity Journal Prompt | Spiritual Life Wellness Coach | Commercial Use

 

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