A person I met through vendor markets recently just opened her own shop, as I was happy for her, I offered to make her a couple things geared towards her specific shop for a happy opening gift sort of thing. These items were Handmade (crochet pillows & resin keychains) took many hours but I was genuinely excited and happy for her, and more than glad to do this out of the kindness of my heart.
Well then she asks me to sell some of my items in her shop, and to specially make items geared towards her shop. I was so excited told a few friends and family w everyone was so proud/happy for me. Her shop (Which is a bake shop) the last 3 days I’ve spent almost all my time brainstorming and crocheting items, I’ve made macarons, sugar cookies, mini gingerbread men, cupcakes and working on candy canes. I’ve really been so excited…well to my surprise I receive a message from her yesterday, saying her husband told her to not commit to this right now and never mind, & we can revisit the topic maybe after the holidays. She first told me she wanted to buy wholesale, so then I offered we could do commission instead so it’s no commitment to her having to purchase things, it would just be a little extra money in her pocket for when things sale, and she read but didn’t respond. Should I just let it go and not get my hopes up. Or should I try to message again in a few days and ask her if she would be willing… what would you do? I need advice I’m just feeling so down because I told friends and family and was so proud of myself and now I feel like a failure.
You’re not a failure. There are only two kinds of failures that matter. A failure to try kneecaps you out of the gate. A failure to learn costs more over the long haul.
You got your hopes up, you ran your mouth a little and started spending your earnings in your imagination. There is literally nothing wrong with any of these things.
This was a lesson on counting your chickens before they hatch. If you learn the lesson, that counts as success.
If it were me, I’d revisit the topic with her in a few weeks. Who knows, maybe you’ll wind up opening something on your own.
Thankyou so much! I also want to add i wasn’t getting a big head or expecting anything. Just mainly told my mom and husband because they both ask a lot of questions and are very involved in my life and asking what I’m making etc. my mom told some family just because she likes to feel proud of what time doing , which is coming from a really sweet place.
I have a few markets planned and I’m going to try to focus on getting inventory prepped for those and try to see the positives, rather than being upset for the one thing that didn’t work out. Thankyou for taking time and replying to my post
Her husband is right. If she has just opened her shop, she needs to focus on what she planned before considering expanding her inventory. She is risking failure if she doesn’t focus.
You’ve done some foundational work for the project. Why not approach other bakeries and bake shops with your products?
Good idea thankyou!