Down to our last dollar.....

I knew having a business was going to be a challenge.  Designing the collection, fitting patterns, choosing fabrics, yarns and colors and setting up the website and business strategy was a breeze.  Maintaining it by myself however was another matter altogether.  The the sweaters were unique and well received but the price point was too high at first, so I lowered it in order to compete and still make a profit.  I created special incentives during pet events which worked out well too.  However, my lifestyle has slowly shifted off task, and new demands have slipped in.  For the first time in the five years since working at Liz Claiborne, there is a demand for my textile design services and I find myself gladly making a living once again.   I always said I'd give the business five years. It's been three years of struggle (mostly monetary) and I also have to admit, my sales person skills are very poor, clearly not a good trait for an entrepreneur. 
I had a friend living in NY who was happy to rep the line, but she moved to California and was basically the only one I felt comfortable with and trusted.    Another bad trait I found out about myself.  Control freak.

I'm fearful of getting into debt at this stage of our lives, so borrowing money is not an option.  My seed money was a good kick off but I had hoped that sales would replenish it along the way. It barely covered the development costs,  and advertising, a huge expense, did not work at all.  I placed ads in Doggie Aficionado magazine, sent out over 250 postcards to pet boutiques and spas all over the country.  I followed the advice of other business owners and even set up a "store" on etsy and Artsy Dog.
No sales what so ever from those resources.   I was more successful with the hands-on sales than the
on-line ones though I did get some.  It makes sense though, since the quality of the yarns and the richness of the colors can be more appreciated when seen and felt in person.

So I've been back to freelancing as a textile designer and am happy with that, as I always was.  Working steadily (a good thing) has kept me from doing any more for the business than updating the website, donating sweaters to shelter events, and participating in one or two of them, for the price of a table. Mainly to keep the brand alive.  Though I haven't designed during the summer, I still sketch ideas in my overstuffed swatch book and keep abreast of what people are buying for their pets in the way of apparel as well as attend trade and fabric shows to stay on top of current fashion trends.   This part of it all is something I truly enjoy.   Too bad it's now become more of a hobby than a business. 

But all is not glum and morose.  For one thing, Lacy is still around and happy not to have to be the
spokes mongrel any more.  I was blessed with another beautiful grandson this month, we did some traveling over the summer and my creative juices are still flowing rapidly so when the time is right, there will be more Lollypups petwear to create. I can't complain really, I can just re-evaluate my strategy, figure out what I've done wrong, make it right and keep on trucking.
Along with the disappointments, comes contentment and serenity.  Not that bad a place to be really.
Peace.