You Want to Start a Business but the Industry Is Too Saturated...
To tell the truth, I have heard this before, along with "your website name is too long no one will remember it". You may hear both of these comments coming from people who haven't done it or are too afraid to do it. I am here to tell you that you can do it!
About 20 years ago, I had a dream of having a Machine Embroidery Business. At first, I thought I would do large orders of repetitious stitching and setups. When I received my first order for two lab coats I was so excited. I began the work of doing this job. After the second lab coat with the same name on it, I thought to myself "If I have to do this for the rest of my life I would die of boredom"! So I began to think about what I would enjoy doing in the Machine Embroidery field. Designing or digitizing as it is called, was what I truly enjoyed doing.
I saw some software at a convention that looked very interesting. The person doing the demo made it look so easy! I thought to myself "I can do that"! I spent the next 6 months trying to learn the software I purchased. After 6 months my first design emerged from the software to the embroidery machine, to the fabric. Not perfect by any means, but it was a start. I spent a great deal of time learning. Once I felt confident enough, I began thinking about business names.
I was told, "that industry is too saturated". "You will never make any money because big companies have it all sewn up", and "no one will type in that long website name". I was determined, and with the help of my husband opened Artisticthreadworks.com. Then I was told I wasn't pricing correctly, too low to be exact, and I was hurting others that were trying to make a living. Well, what did they think I was trying to do?
With the encouragement of my husband, I tuned out the naysayers and began the journey. We learned a lot in those days. The biggest lesson we learned was "It's the price". Once we found our niche for pricing, things started happening for us. We were in business for almost 20 years. We closed the business in January 2021, we had a pretty good run!
That brings me to you and the cutting machine business. I have been told similar here in this industry. Facebook posts of people saying they want to start a business are met with a lot of discouragement. I posted recently in one post the following:
"Just do it! If this is your heart's desire, just do it! Lots of people will try to discourage you. You will hear all kinds of negative comments. Ignore them. You will be told that the industry is too saturated. No, it isn't! Find a niche and just do it! There are so many ways you can use your cutting machine to make an income."
I recently read a book titled "Do it Scared" by Ruth Soukup. I recommend you get it and read it. You will feel empowered.
You can find it on Amazon. Use the link below
Then a dear friend sent me the next book in the mail. She knows we share a sense of entrepreneurialism and the drive to succeed.
"Girl, Stop Apologizing" by Rachel Hollie. I recommend you read this as well. A life-changing guide to dumping our fears and succeeding.
You can find it on Amazon. Use the link below
Now, If you are one of those people that buys a book but never gets around to reading it...
A piece of advice, buy the audio version. It is easier to listen while doing other things than sit and read. I find this to be my entertainment when cleaning the house, walking, shopping, etc.
These books will empower you to get busy and start your business. I am here to help. You will see articles and videos coming to help you along the way. But for now, Push through the negative people saying you can't, because you can! Push through the ones who have opinions but have never done it, because you can do it!
~~Holly
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