In January of this year, I hit a significant milestone for myself: I officially made my business legit. The journey so far has been rewarding and exciting. However, like any new venture, it comes with challenges and lessons learned. Becoming a business owner and entrepreneur has always been my dream, and I was thrilled to take the first step towards achieving that goal. However, I was surprised to discover how much I didn't know or have on my radar when it came to owning a company. Starting a greeting card business has been a huge endeavor, and I'd like to share five things I learned from my first year in business:

It's okay to detach from an idea/design/vision and pivot if necessary.

As you evolve and grow, your perspective on things may change. This could lead you to question your previous decisions and change your approach. For example, I found that the original name of my company no longer resonated with me, so I decided to rebrand it. Fortunately, this was early on, so it was easy enough to change everything. I also chose to retire some of my previous designs and create new ones once I started evolving my design style. I found that the old cards didn't align with my current style and vision. Remember that change is a natural and necessary part of growth, and embracing it can open up new opportunities for success.

Taking a risk can lead to amazing opportunities.

I stumbled into selling my products wholesale after accidentally applying to the National Stationery Show. Despite having no prior experience in selling wholesale, I kept chugging along and planning for it, and eventually picked up my first three retailers at the show. This experience taught me the importance of being flexible and adaptable, even when you have no idea what you're doing. You can read more about that experience in this blog post.

It's okay to start slowly. Take your time and learn as you go.

I have come to realize that I can be quite impatient at times, especially when it comes to achieving my goals. Unfortunately, my progress towards my goals has been slower than expected, which is further compounded by the fact that I am still working a full-time job to support myself. However, I try to remind myself that life is not a race and that success often takes time to manifest. In the meantime, I continue to focus on my personal growth, taking small steps every day and trusting that eventually, my hard work and dedication will pay off.

Iterate to breakthrough.

Iteration is an important process for achieving breakthroughs. By repeating a process, whether it's for a design concept or a recurring administrative task, you can identify what works and what doesn't, and make improvements accordingly. This can lead to new ideas and innovations that may not have been possible without iteration. Additionally, iteration allows for testing and experimentation, which can help refine and improve the final result. So don't worry, just embrace this process and don't be afraid to iterate until you achieve a breakthrough.

You don't have to do it alone, and it's okay to seek advice.

I've learned that seeking advice and networking with other business owners is essential. Joining a trade association or attending industry events can be an excellent way to meet people, learn about the industry, and get advice from others who have been in your shoes. If you’re in the greeting card industry, I highly recommend joining the Greeting Card Association.

When I was working on my trade show in February, I had a hard time finding information on selling wholesale. I was disappointed to discover the lack of resources available on how to start a wholesale business or figure out your first trade show. Thankfully, through the National Stationery Show, I met a friendly person who offered to chat with me before the show and passed on some tips that helped me tremendously. If you’re looking to exhibit at a trade show, you should really check out Katie Hunt’s Paper Camp!

Starting a business can be a fulfilling journey. You get to create something new, build a brand, and potentially make a difference in people's lives. However, it's important to remember that it comes with its fair share of challenges. What works today may not work tomorrow, so it's important to be open to change and always be on the lookout for new ideas. There is a lot of trial and error, and you're not always going to get it right the first time. The key is to keep trying and learning from your mistakes. Remember to take your time, learn as you go, and don't be afraid to take advantage of amazing opportunities that may come your way. With patience, hard work, and perseverance, anyone can turn their passion into a successful business.