Starting a business is never as easy as it seems—especially when you're juggling life as a mam of four with narcolepsy and cataplexy. When I made the decision to leave my job and build something for myself, I didn’t know exactly what the journey would entail. All I knew was that I wanted a better work-life balance, and that meant creating a business that would allow me to manage my health, my family, and my passion for planning all in one place.
My dream? To build a planner business that would inspire others to organize their lives and make each day more meaningful. My reality? A lot of hard work, many late nights, and a storage unit that's become both my office and shipping centre.
I have no fancy office space or extravagant equipment. It is just me, my laptop, and a vision. I set up shop in a small storage unit, not as glamorous as other businesses might look, but it’s been my lifeline. It's where I will be package orders, and currently storing my inventory. My storage unit has become my little business hub, and while it's not the most glamorous place, it's where everything happens—and that's part of the journey.
There are plenty of challenges in the early stages of starting a business, and I’ve faced many of them head-on. From finding reliable suppliers to figuring out the best ways to manage my inventory and shipping, it’s been a learning process. Shipping, in particular, has been a huge challenge, especially when it comes to international orders. Finding affordable shipping options while ensuring my customers receive their products safely has been one of my biggest hurdles.
Running a business isn’t just about what you see on the outside. It’s about the work that happens behind the scenes that most people never realize. I’ve spent countless hours learning design software, creating planner templates, and ensuring that everything is exactly how I want it before it reaches my customers. But that’s just the beginning.
There’s the business side, too—budgeting, managing orders, tracking inventory, customer service, and so much more. All of this is done while being the only employee in my business. Every step requires effort, patience, and persistence. There are moments when I feel like I'm juggling a million things at once, but it's worth it when I see the final product and know that I created it.
One of the best decisions I made was outsourcing some of my printing and production work. I learned early on that printing my own planners and notepads and most recently stickers wasn’t feasible for a small business like mine. I faced issues with my equipment, and the time it took to get everything right wasn’t worth it. Outsourcing this process freed up time for me to focus on other important aspects of the business, like growing my brand, designing new products, and connecting with customers.
Looking forward, I’m excited about the future of my business. While I will be using my storage unit to package orders and store my inventory for the foreseeable, I’m hopeful that one day I’ll have a dedicated office or even a small studio to call my own.
As my business grows, I’m excited to hire people who can help with various aspects of the business. From customer support to design work, I’m eager to bring in people who share my passion for planning and organization. I’m also working on expanding my product range, offering even more planners, notepads, and accessories that will help people stay organized and inspired. My mission is to create products that not only help people organize their lives but also inspire them to take control of their goals and dreams.
The journey hasn't been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. Every struggle has taught me something new, and every small victory has fuelled my drive to continue. Building a business takes time, effort, and resilience. It’s about staying focused on your goals and adapting when things don’t go as planned. The road may be bumpy, but it’s all part of the journey.
Want to follow along with my journey and get updates on new products and exclusive discounts? Sign up for my mailing list today and receive 15% off your first order once my website launches!