how starting a small business changed my life (& it can change yours too!) ✿ let's be vulnerable

from one uncomfy person to another, i hope this video brings you comfort. thank you so, so much for being here <3

I almost cried when you talked abou helping your parents with their trip and their health (teeth). You are really wonderful, and I'm glad you found your way to success and happiness.

i didn’t expect staring a small shop would be so hard until i did it myself. it took me 4+ months to even post one listing/product and now that its been 7 months I only did 1 sale. However that one sale is what keeps me going. Awesome video!

"If you are nervous about something just find a way to be excited about it" - loved it

This video hit me hard. I'm a young father, broke with no parents so no support. Times looking bleak but I have to do right by my daughter and just start somewhere. EDIT : I THANK EVERYONE FOR THE KIND WORDS AND ENCOURAGEMENT. GOD BLESS Y'ALL

I cried with you... that line "If I mess up, who was gonna help my family" shook me for real. The pressure of being the eldest just hit hard. Even though there are 4 of us, I can't lean on anyone. Everyone has their problems, and it's tough for me to open up to any of them. But thank you, Tammy. I felt that I wasn't alone in my problems and was able to let out some steam. Much love <3

This is so true, I started making jewelry but I was so scared, literally cried when I got a first order and then I didn’t have orders but a complete stranger gave me the motivation to keep going and now it’s my income, i do what i love its amazing, some stress of course but support really helps

I reallly resonate with the thought that you "don't see self-employment as a risk -- people go through life working hard 9-5, being unhappy, and in the end they're laid off anyway". When you have the knowing that you have the skills to sustain yourself, it's a superpower. You don't depend on some X employer, it's just one of many options. 💪

I started my business in 2023 and have a year under my belt. 200+ sales with minimal advertising and no social media. Sometimes I get down on myself bc I can only work so much and also have to be available to help my kids in homeschool. I'm at the Sapling stage and I'm proud of it. I wonder what will happen this year when I create a Shopify and steer my sales funnel directly at it via Instagram and Pinterest. I struggle with balancing "me" time, "family" time and videogaming for relaxation and my burgeoning watercoloring hobby. Discipline, focus, balance, and Sleep. I'm adding in daily walks now for the endorphins. Loved your video. I heard "you", so thanks for sharing. It resonated w me. ❤❤

I never thought I’d start my own business, but something has finally clicked within me during the last few weeks. People like you and many others (even my parents who are business owners themselves) have shown me that life can be different. I’ve realized that I will not have the stamina to work jobs I don’t like, with people I don’t like, for money that isn’t even that great just so that way I can potentially retire comfortably. I detest the whole idea and it feels like a trap into a miserable existence. Now I’m standing on the edge about to make a decision I never thought I’d make and I’m itching with excitement. I’m finally betting on myself instead of waiting for someone else to do that.

your point about "not having to be the best" really resonated with me because I recently came to this realization too! I see people on Instagram all the time who are just so much more naturally artistic, who have more training, who are seasoned professionals, etc. And it discouraged me for years because I wasn't at their level despite drawing pretty much all my life and sometimes being older than these talented people! One day I sat down and had this realization though: I'm good enough at art that I can draw pretty much anything that makes me happy. Anything I want. And for now, that's good enough. If the time comes that I can ever afford to go to art school then I'll take it, but for now, I study on my own schedule, improve at my own pace, and rest happy knowing that my childhood self would be really happy with what she can do now~

"I don't have to be the best. I'm still valuable". How healthy of a mindset. Thank you! I'll post it somewhere around the house to remember. <3

As an introvert, a breadwinner supporting her family, a part-time artist drawing art commissions, and a full-time architect assistant, while also being a student, this video just randomly popped up in my feed. I'm crying right now because I resonate with it so much. I really enjoy creating art and wanted to explore the world of business. After watching this, I've gained confidence. ALSO, I THINK I'M DELUSIONAL TOO LOL— I JUST BELIEVE EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT FOR ME. I still believe that the Universe is always aligning the stars for me. To everyone who's fighting in life, we've got this!

Thank you for sharing. This is truly inspirational. Things I am learning from this video: - Take calculated risks (develops courage) - I may not be the best in something, but I still can be valuable in that. (develops confidence) - Be excited about what makes you anxious. (develops mindset) - Set boundaries, improve yourself, forgive yourself, correct yourself. (develops discipline and self-love) - Starting a small business is like planting a tree, it requires patience, hard work, and persistence on a daily basis.

That part where you said “nobody values my time more than myself”. That is 1000% Which is why I believe some of us have huge drive and value our time due to past experiences.

As someone who is also pretty anxious I loved the idea you mentioned of turning that anxious feeling into a feeling of excitement. Changing my mindset is the first step!

I work for a corporate company currently and I hate it, I feel stuck to start my own craft business, I can make art and design art, still try to find my way to get there…that’s why I come here to see how you do it, you are doing great! Now I still think of what to make for sell and get it started. So happy for your achievement.

thank you for showing that being vulnerable means being strong. and I also love names of the chapters, it's so poetic! ✿

Your journey sounds exactly like mine, which is incredibly encouraging. I grew up in a financial struggle too, went to university for fashion design for the exact same reasons. I didn't think taking the fine arts route was a smart decision in terms of risk. But like you, I never had that passion for what I did. I got my degree and went straight to working low skill, dead end jobs just to survive without grinding at something mentally exhausting that I wasn't interested in. In May 2023 I started Coy Apricot. At 500 followers I also thought 'this could be something'. I'm still small, but I really relate to you. Following your journey gives me a sense of comfort within my own.

Childhood trauma is real. Self care would include going to a supportive therapist so you can really work through what happened to you. I worked at Yale Medical school where so many young adults were healed. You deserve it. Everyone does. You rock!!! ❤❤❤🐶🐶🐶👁️🧬🌗🌷🌺🌋🎨🎨