Today Marks ONE YEAR Since Cozy-hearted Launched..here's what I've learned - Cozy-hearted

Today Marks ONE YEAR Since Cozy-hearted Launched..here's what I've learned

Where has the time gone?! Actually, I must admit it seems like it's been longer than a year. Cozy-hearted has been in the works since Jan 2022 when the journey began. I cannot lie, it has been a hard year with a lot of ups and downs. I did not go to business school, I've never started my own business, and my credentials including having my doctorate in Physical Therapy which does not get you far when creating a blanket brand. 

In the last year I....

-Quit my full time job as a PT to focus on Cozy-hearted and Motherhood* trying to grow a brand with a 10 month old at home is fun. :) 

-Gave birth to Baby girl #2, Elena James 

-Sold 224 blankets *The Cozy* is by far the best seller 

-Gave away... a lot of blankets for PR, gifting to heart warriors, giveaways, thank you's. 

-Donated $1,000 to Project Bubaloo who funds vital research for babies born with Congenital Heart Disease even though we are not "in profit" yet

-Cried a lot and have been disappointed more times than I could keep track of

-Switched manufacturers to have direct communication with them myself instead of relying on a company to do that  

-Started therapy for past trauma from my childhood that I never dealt with because I feel like it's holding me back from reaching the next level in my life (mental health matters)

-Never once seriously thought about quitting, even on the days I had serious doubts

-Am still trying to figure it out because I still don't feel like I know what I am doing...does ANYONE actually feel like they know what they are doing? 

 

The Lessons I've learned are...

-Lean on the people who will be honest, supportive and encouraging for you because you need it on the days you do not feel motivated/inspired. 

-You just have to keep going, no matter what.

-If you can find your own manufacture and not work with a "middle man" company, do that. 

-The people closest to you will not be your biggest supporters, it's usually the people you don't personally know. 

-Start up costs will be about 2-3x time more than what you originally think it's going to be. 

-Do not trust everyone. Not everyone has good intentions (unfortunately). 

-Use your resources! You will not know how to do everything yourself, but all you need to do is seek out someone who does. It will save you a lot of time. 

-Sales will not just come to you. New followers will not just come to you. Starting your own business takes a lot of effort and work. 

-Nobody will care about your business as much as you do, don't take it personal. 

-It will take time. I still need this reminder! 

If you're starting your own business and need some encouragement just know that all small business owners are hot messes behind the scenes. Well, I am at least. I feel like it's important to share the BTS struggles, lessons learned, and the reality (not just the cool wins) in hopes to make someone else in the same spot less alone. Here for you xoxo, 

Katherine 

 

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