A Season of Balance
My Repotting Workshop with Tender Loving Empire!
It’s been 6 months now since I started my small business! I can’t believe that it’s already been half a year since I dove into the scary world of being a business owner. I will be completely honest, there’s been a lot of joy, but there’s also been so many tears. I know from speaking with other business owners that this is completely normal and part of the journey, but wow, it’s been rough!
I started my business with a passion for houseplants, and that passion led to creating something meaningful in my life and community. That spark of joy is still there, and I’m holding onto that core belief in wanting to share my love of plants with others. Even if it’s not turning much of a profit right now, that passion is invaluable because it gives me purpose beyond just financial gain.
However, I’ve also been faced with the reality of financial insecurity and the stress that comes with trying to turn a passion into something that pays the bills. This is where I’ve been getting stuck: balancing passion and practicality. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed, especially with not making as many sales or hitting my financial goals. I’ve been feeling very frustrated and guilty when I compare my small business income to the steady financial support I had when I used to work full-time.
After speaking to my loved ones and doing some real self-reflection, I realized that the key is to release the need for immediate growth and focus on managing my energy. I want to set my business on a path that allows me to keep the joy without compromising my peace of mind. Easier said than done, am I right? But I will try to accept this season of balance.
My Booth for the Opening of GeekEasy Cafe, the first Anime Cafe in Oregon!
I am happy to report that in March, I participated in two pop-ups where I was able to connect with the community and share the joy of houseplants in-person. One was at Title Boxing Club in celebration of International Women’s Day, and the other was for the opening of GeekEasy Cafe in Chinatown! I also led a repotting workshop with Tender Loving Empire in which 12 participants felt more confident in their ability to care for their plants after receiving my instruction. I also made a very difficult decision to close down one of my locations which caused me to feel like a failure for quite some time. I am trying to let go of the guilt and recognize that I did this to set myself up for more sustainable success.
My newest storefront at What’s New Furniture!
I am a bit scared but excited to see what the next 6 months will bring. We shall see!
If you have any questions about being a small business owner, let me know in the comments!
