Do you like to set goals this time of year? I do, big time. I also like to spend some time thinking about the goals I set last year, and how well I did at accomplishing them.
And in doing so this year, I have come to the conclusion that 2019… sucked, big time!
I started 2019 on a high note – all fired up! 2019 was going to be the year that I finally figured this stuff out! Success, and dare I say, even a good hourly wage (if you know anyone who has a handmade sewing business, you know that’s the toughest part). All this would finally be at my fingertips!
Lol, I even channeled all that excitement into a bit of artwork:
Then came 2019, and (insert crash and burn sound here!)
If you’ve been following me for a while – you probably figured out that I’m an overwhelmingly positive person. Lol, to the point of delusional sometimes!
Therefore, I have no failures, only learning experiences. 😜
So 2019 was a great year, because I learned something important, and I even figured out how to make it happen in 2020…
So, I have bad news, and I have good news. Which do you want to hear first, lol? I’ll start with the bad news.
I am discontinuing custom orders.
If you’re one of the people who’ve been saving money for one of my custom made gowns, and planning to purchase in 2020, I’m truly sorry.
The lesson I learned in 2019 is this – if I want to add new things into my schedule – I have to cut something out! I have to stop thinking that I can just manage my time a little better or work a little harder – it doesn’t work like that. Custom orders are the most time consuming part of what I do. And even though the prices I charge seem (at least to me) rather high – when I divide it out by the time I spend on communication, ordering custom things, pattern tweaks, and sewing things one at a time – I’m earning below minimum wage on average for each custom dress. That isn’t a sustainable business model… 😬
So I’ve deactivated my custom made listings on Etsy, and I’m going thru my listings that have a custom made option one at a time, and updating them with the new information. It’ll take me a few days to finish.
Then when I’m done, I’ll be able to work on several new and exciting things. So without any further adieu, here’s the good news!
I’m starting a Youtube channel.
I’ve known this for a long time – I need to get my pretty things on video! There are so many things that can’t be captured in a photo – how things swish when you walk, the way that literally EVERY angle looks beautiful in one of my dresses, the complete head to toe transformation when we get ready for a photoshoot! And I think it will be a ton of fun too, once I figure out how to use the technology to make the videos. ^.^
Auralynne.com store coming soon!
…For real this time! I actually almost finished it last year. This year it’s HAPPENING. The store on my website will make it easier for me to keep track of what’s in stock, give you discounts when you order a full costume from me, and sell things I don’t make that all of you would love (like my corsets, and fun costume accessories.)
Newsletter coming soon!
In fact, you can sign up for it right now. I’m still working on my welcome series – and once I finish it, I’ll send it to you – and then there will also be a once-monthly newsletter from me, and a few subscriber-only perks too. You can sign up for it at the bottom of this page!
Are you excited? I’m excited. 2020 isn’t just a new year, it’s a new frigging decade! And it’s gonna be AWESOME.