3 Lessons I Learned When My First POD Launch Flopped ✏️ Small Business Diaries

I Messed Up My Launch 💔 A Realistic Week Running My Creative Small Business

Hey, friends! 🌟 Running a creative small business is such a rewarding adventure… but it’s not always smooth sailing. In this week’s vlog, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at what happens when things don’t go as planned—specifically, how my first merch launch hit a few bumps in the road. 💔

It’s not all bad, though! I’ll also share how I navigated the chaos, lessons I learned, and some cozy moments that made the week brighter. If you’ve ever felt the highs and lows of running your own business, this one’s for you.

Watch the Vlog: A Realistic Week in My Creative Business

What Happened? The Story Behind the Launch

After weeks of planning and prepping my cozy merch collection, launch day finally arrived… and it didn’t go as expected. From tech issues to unexpected delays, it felt like everything that could go wrong did. 😭

But here’s the thing: running a business isn’t about perfection. It’s about how you pivot and adapt when things don’t go as planned. I’m sharing this story because I know so many of you can relate to the ups and downs of creative entrepreneurship. Let’s normalize the setbacks and celebrate the perseverance! 💪

Lessons Learned from a (very) Messy Launch

Even though the launch didn’t go perfectly, it taught me a lot. Here are some key takeaways:

  1. Always Have a Backup Plan: Whether it’s an alternate sales platform or extra time for testing, backups are lifesavers when unexpected problems pop up. I didn’t do enough research before launching this collection and basically went ALL IN on the first option that I found on Google - if I’d have spent more time researching POD ahead of the collection development I would have been able to pivot faster and with less stress when things ultimately did go wrong.

  2. Communicate with Your Community: Being honest about hiccups not only helps manage expectations but also builds trust. I was SO nervous to cancel this launch but the love and support I received from the community blew me away - people buy from people, so stop trying to be a machine!!!

  3. Celebrate the Wins: Even in the chaos, there are always little victories. For me, it was seeing the first orders come in and knowing my designs resonated with you all, even if I had to refund those initial orders due to the checkout errors. Knowing that people actually wanted the designs is ultimately what pushed me to find an alternative solution as quickly as I could! 💕

Shop the Cozy Merch Collection 🌟

Despite the challenges, the cozy merch collection is LIVE! Designed with love, these pieces are perfect for adding a little warmth and joy to your everyday life. 🛍️

Use code 'YOUTUBE' at checkout for a special discount: Shop the Cozy Merch Collection 💸

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