Monday, January 26, 2015

2014 - My Year of Growth

Last year I didn't set any real goals for my business. I dubbed it The Year of Growth. And my only goal was to continue growing my business and continue doing the things that were already working for me. I outlined three areas where I wanted to focus my growth.
 
The first was to grow my space. And boy was that a big one! I had previously been working out of an 11' x 11' spare bedroom. That is, before I started taking over the whole house! I moved into my studio last June and expanded to 850 square feet dedicated to just my business!
This space has allowed me to grow my business by keeping me organized and more efficient. There is no way I could have gotten as many packages out each day had I been in my old work area. I now have a dedicated shipping station and two entire shelving units full of shipping supplies. Everything is (mostly) organized making shipping packages so much easier.
And I have space to store the rest of my inventory as well. It's more easily accessible and more easily found. No more searching through stacks of boxes hoping to find the right one.

The second area I wanted to grow my business was by hiring an employee during the holiday rush. And let me tell you, it was one of the best things I did. As I mentioned in my "things I learned" post last Wednesday, I just wish I would have had my shipper here more often. She was only able to come twice a week and I will definitely have someone here five days a week this year.

And the last area of growth was in equipment. This is one that I'm really excited about. I wanted to get moved into my new studio and see how things would get arranged and see if I would add a second laser or new equipment to make new/different products. Things are still doing well with the laser engraving and honestly, I don't have time to dedicate to new/different products. If this crazy holiday season taught me anything, it's that I need another laser! Not only could I produce more with a second laser, I would have a backup if something happened. Right now, if my laser goes down...my business is basically down! A very scary thought in mid-December! So I'm working on purchasing a second laser now and hope to have it by mid-March.

So while I didn't set any goals in the traditional sense, I do feel I reached all my hopes and plans for the year. Now it's time to start planning for 2015!

17 comments:

  1. Your business has grown so much, Edi! I am so happy for you! Investing in a second laser is a smart move :) I have a student to help me pack when things get crazy in my fabric shoppe!

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  2. Congratulations on your banner year!!

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  3. Oooh, I'm glad you're getting a second laser! It's so key to invest in big items like that when you can. Think of how much MORE you'll be able to do in 2015 with two of them! High five!

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  4. Прекрасные цели. Желаю удачи

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  5. Wow - your workspace is almost as big as our entire apartment! It probably is, once you subtract our little laundry closet and the bathroom. That's pretty cool. With a second laser you'll need that extra shipping help next Christmas, for sure.

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  6. It looks like your year of growth was a success! I think that sometimes having less specific goals like that is what really makes small businesses thrive, because you're more open to whatever happens. You did great!

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  7. I'm so excited and happy for you. You've worked so hard and now can see some results of your labors of love.

    Congrats!

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  8. I hear a lot of people say that hiring a helper was the best thing they did. Good for you!

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  9. I'm so happy your business is doing so well! You are laying the groundwork for even more success in your future! Yay!

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  10. how fantastic Edi! good for you, and so happy for you and your business :)

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  11. You are doing such a great job with your business and I enjoy hearing all about it! I hope this year exceeds your hopes and expectations.

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  12. Congrats on your business doing so well! Totally off topic, but I love those pink curtains :-)

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  13. You certainly did have a banner year. Congrats! How exciting to be planning for a second laser! Sounds like a great plan.

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  14. I'm glad you are enjoying your new space Edi! Great plan getting a new laser. That would be a disaster if the machine when down during the holidays, or anytime for that matter.

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  15. Thanks for sharing your entire journey with us - it's been exciting to see your new space develop & I'm in awe & excited for you and the growth of your business!

    (I think my 1st comment got lost, sorry if this is a duplicate!)

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  16. What a difference a year makes! You certainly did grow last year. I also enjoyed reading about the things you learned during the 2014 holiday season. I've often thought about hiring someone to do various things, but I'm afraid to give up control. It sounds like you understand what I mean. I suppose it's that I want to be responsible for everything.

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  17. Love that you have done so well in 2014. I'm sure that 2015 will be even better! Good luck with your new laser, when you get it!

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