Skip to main content

This week I hit 50k sales in my Etsy shop. That’s obviously a pretty big milestone for me. But it got me thinking about what was perhaps the most important sale I have ever received… My first one. The one that started it all!

The start of my business consisted of me painting in my room for a weekend and then (poorly) photographing the canvases with my point-and-shoot (WITH DIRECT FLASH YOU GUYS) before quickly throwing them in an Etsy shop that I easily named after myself. There was not much thought behind any of this, as the concept of selling my art was basically for the fun of it.

banner_julieannart

My first sale was in 2008, not too long after opening my shop (despite my poor photography choices). I remember where I was and who I was with when that e-mail came in, congratulating me on my first Etsy sale. I sold an original 8×10 painting for $40. It was my favorite painting so I’m not surprised it was my first sale. I now have a print of it hanging matted in my bathroom and secretly curse the person who scored the original for dirt cheap.

You live and you learn.

I have learned so many things since that day. Most importantly probably, I have learned to run my business with purpose. I am much more aware of the choices I am making and the goals that I want to achieve. I have made my own decisions, which created the path I have been on for the last seven years and you know what, I’m doing alright. ;] xo JA

 

P.S. If you want to hear me talk more about small business, check out this interview I did for The Nudge!

Join the discussion 4 Comments

Leave a Reply

We use cookies to provide you with a better service. By continuing to browse our site, you consent to our cookie policy.

You have Successfully Subscribed!