I've got a little story to share with you that still fills me with excitement, even though it happened a while back.
Back in 2021, I stumbled upon something amazing: people were selling Canva templates online! Now, I've been working with coaches and small businesses for a decade, and I've created countless workbooks, social media designs, presentations, and more using Canva. So, you can imagine how this discovery sparked a brilliant idea in my head. I took the plunge, quit my job at the local government unit, and started my own Virtual Assistance business. On the side, I decided to venture into ecommerce. After loads of research, signing up for courses, and mentally preparing myself, I finally took the plunge and opened my Etsy shop in October 2021. Exciting stuff, right?
I eagerly uploaded my products and anxiously awaited the sound of cha-ching from my sales. Etsy usually gives new shops a boost in the first 30 days, so I did manage to get a few sales in the first month. But here's the kicker: for the next eight months, I didn't add any new products, run Etsy ads, or do any kind of promotion. And you know what? I only ended up with 22 sales. Yeah, not exactly the roaring success I had envisioned. I had all these ideas for new products, but I kept overthinking and never actually got around to publishing them. Doubts started sneaking in:
"Maybe no one likes what I'm selling."
"Gosh, my competitors are lightyears ahead of me."
"Am I just kidding myself here?"
"Perhaps this isn't my thing. Maybe I should explore other ways to make money."
But then, in June 2022—exactly a year ago today—something magical happened. I stumbled upon an online community of creatives where I could hold myself accountable, share ideas with like-minded folks, and celebrate our victories (as well as the challenges). We took on a challenge together: using what we already had, we had to create new products that were variations of our existing ones. And you know what I said? "Why the heck not? Let's do it!" So I finally mustered the courage to publish those products that had been collecting virtual dust on my computer for way too long. One of them was a self-care challenge planner journal template, simply because it was something I was passionate about and a product I myself would love to buy. I didn't bother checking if others were selling it or if there was even a demand for it on Etsy. I just went for it and hit that publish button. And you know what? It caught fire right away! It became a bestseller! Can you believe it? My very first bestseller! 
By July, I received my first payout—a delightful $87.49. And come August, I hit the incredible milestone of 100 sales. Fueled by these early victories, I kept creating more products, trusting my gut and drawing from my own experiences. And guess what? Over the next six months, I reached a thousand sales and earned multiple five-figure revenues on my Etsy shop. It was an exhilarating journey, to say the least!
Looking back on those eight months wasted on overthinking, I can't help but reflect on the valuable lessons they taught me. If only I had pushed aside the doubts, blocked out the noise, and simply followed the flow of inspiration, I could have achieved so much more and been way ahead. But hey, sometimes lessons come with a price—the price of missed opportunities.
So, I'm curious: have you ever experienced something similar in your own business? Or maybe you're feeling a bit stuck in a rut right now?
I'd genuinely love to hear your story and learn from your experiences. Let's connect and share our journeys!
By the way, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to those incredible community members who reached out to me, shared their inspiring stories, and exchanged ideas. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of my journey. I'm so grateful to be connected with all of you.
Speaking of missed opportunities, is there a Canva template in my shop that you've been eyeing but haven't gotten around to purchasing yet? Well, guess what? Now might just be the perfect time! I'm planning to clear out my shop in the next few weeks and keep only a select few relevant products. That's why I'm hosting an End of Financial Year (EOFY) sale, ending on June 22, 2023. You can get a whopping 50% off EVERYTHING by using the code: EOFY50
And once you buy the template, please use it...use it now! Create your products, share your stories, promote your business, grow your list, and unlock your true potential. Let's make every opportunity count!
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope you have an absolutely fantastic day, filled with inspiration and action!