In my previous life I was an educator of high school students with special needs.
My life, that is, before baby Jack and my Etsy shop.
In many ways it was my calling....and it might still be. I taught for seven years. It is where I learned a lot about life. I learned what an accomplishment really means....and I learned the human spirit has a tenacity I had undervalued. I learned that hearing a sixteen year old read their very first sentence can be the most glorious experience in the world.
I learned all this....and surprisingly, I've come to find out, I learned a lot about business too.
I started my Etsy shop with the hope of garnering the extra income we needed to stay home with our son. I soon realized that an online shop doesn't sell itself and that I needed to find some business savvy somewhere. As I've navigated these waters for the last two years, it's been clear that much of what I learned in the classroom shaped me for running a successful shop.
I think we all have those skills from our "previous" or "other" lives that we can apply to our sites to become stronger business folks.
A few classroom lessons I now apply to my Etsy shop:
1. Authenticity Goes Along Way: Learned this on my first awkward, anxious day. Teenagers can see right through you. Being genuine earns a lot of points.
2. Bulletin Boards Matter: I worked in a tough school in a rough area. But I painted the bookcase, hung up awesome posters, and pasted student work on the wall. These at-risk kids kept coming back. Decor sets the tone & expectations.
3. Sometimes Your Best Isn't Enough: While teaching, I cried a lot. I poured my heart out & sometimes watched it fail. This happens. This is life. I learned to brush myself off & start again tomorrow.
4. Put in the Time: big commitment equals big success & nothing comes easy. all those sayings are true.
5. Students Really Do Appreciate The Extras: Really, who doesn't? Going beyond the ordinary can establish trust & loyalty. And it feels good.
6. Stagnancy Equals Failure: grow & read & learn & research & expand & stretch & try & push & apply
7. Lectures Don't Really Work: People respond when talked with not talked to
8. Celebrate Everything: it's essential to find accomplishment in all the little things....and then do it, really celebrate it all!
ps..... I write this post in honor & celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act today. Hooray!
So tell me....what skills are you applying to your business?
