Business Bits - Reach Out

Well, here it is. My very last Business Bits post. At least officially. I'll definitely be sharing more tips & experiences about my Etsy shop & small business...in fact, I'm in the early stages of drafting an e-book culminating all my business bits posts & gobs more findings & sources...but this is it for now.

It was a year ago about this time I decided to write weekly posts sharing my thoughts & opinions on running a successful Etsy shop and online small business. It was a little scary. At times, I missed the mark. But on many other occasions I had wonderful feedback & am thankful to Etsy for featuring part of my post in the Success Newsletters.  

What started it all off was my initial posts "10 for '09" - a list of top ten lessons I had learned from 2009. It was such a powerful exercise for me to reflect & list all those hard-learned lessons....I thought I'd finish up the year with a bit of the same. This time, though, just one. One big lesson I learned this year. 

{image: Papermoth}

Without a doubt- the best biggest simplest thing I learned this year was to reach out. 


To other people. And along with that I might add that it includes reaching out in kindness & without underestimating anyone.  


In 8th grade my history teacher told my mom I was a social butterfly. For many years I was-  flitting around, smiling & making friends. Somewhere along the line though, I became a bit of a homebody.... being a stay-at-home mom with a home-business sure didn't stretch the social boundaries either. So, probably much to the surprise of both my mother & my 8th grade teacher, sometimes I have to make an effort to get on out there.  


I had done a fair bit of it with my shop before....but this year I stretched myself even more. And I'm still stretching. Reaching out has returned wonderful rewards both personally & professionally. I've gotten to know some amazing people & have been fortunate to share in others' success. I've felt that comfort of friendship- but this time connected to my shop & craft. I've gotten to know customers, and their stories, on a whole new level- adding more meaning to my sewing. I've formed incredible collaborations & have been amazed time & again by the kindness of others. And yes, there's been some rejection & let-downs too.


 But that's all part of reaching out...and because of it, my shop is a fuller, happier, more fulfilling little place.


{{{Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to read & support my Business Bits posts...I am so appreciative of your feedback & input...and the experiences you shared with me. I'd love to hear any suggestions of topics you'd like to see included in my e-book...so comment away or email me at allisa.jacobs [at] gmail [dot] com.  Cheers to continued & shared success in 2011! }}}