Everything started when I was in Grade 11. I was 17 years old at that time and my other 2 best friends were planning to have an online business so we could earn our own money and not rely too much on our parents. We talked about putting up a business for somehow long months, and it just didn't happen because we were lacking in doing actions.
However, after some months, my sister-in-law did a buy and sell of bags. Then I said that I wanna help out in selling. So, what I did is I posted photos of the bags on my social media, and fortunately, a friend of mine bought one. But I think, isa lang yung napabili ko at that time or maybe more than that but I couldn't remember that much haha. But I felt good that I sold something that time because I got a commission, even if it's just a small amount.
The next day, my 2 other best friends saw my post on social media wherein I sell bags. I told them that it wasn't mine and I just helped out. Then we discussed again our plans to have an online business. We talked about where we should get a supplier, business name, etc.
Fast forward to after a month or so I guess, I set up my own online business. I made a business name, logo, Facebook page, Instagram account, found a supplier, and all that jazz. My other best friend was there to lend some minimal help as well. While my other best friend was still figuring things out (in the present time now, she's running her successful online business).
My online business continued to operate for many months or around a year. It was slowly unfolding as time passes by. It eventually officially stops running in December of 2019 or January of 2020. Our graduation for senior high school was approaching at that time and so every one of us are busy with things such as prom, final exam, etc. I would say that it also officially stopped because of the pandemic.
When the pandemic hits, I was so furious that time because I have no earnings. Because in the past months, I was so used that I have another source of income aside from the allowance that I get from my parents.
I had countless thoughts about whether I should still continue having a clothing online business. But at the time when the pandemic was just starting out, here are most of my thoughts:
I should not continue having a clothing online business because it involves shipping. That means I have to pack orders and go outside of our house to ship them off to my customers. I was an overthinker about the spread of the COVID-19 virus at that time, so the thought of me stepping out of our house more often to ship orders make me really furious.
I should not continue having a clothing online business because it also involves meeting up with customers who are just nearby our area. Again, I overthink about the virus! So the thought of meeting other people also bothers me.
Those are just some shallow reasons that my head made up to stop myself from clothing online business. But here is the main reason why I really stopped...
There was a video I watched months ago from Sorelle Amore on YouTube where she discussed that she also tried selling physical items when she was younger and later on she realized that it wasn't meant for her. Digital products are the ones that are meant for her. And I just thought that maybe it's the same with me.
Selling physical products entails so much work such as shipping, meeting up with customers, having an inventory, packaging, and all that jazz. It demands much time, doing active work, and you have to keep on moving from one place to another (I am only referring to small businesses owned by one person who does all the job done).
And the chaos doesn't fit me. It doesn't fit in my schedule and responsibilities with my college course and my personal life.
I realized that I wanted a business or a side hustle that doesn't require me to move around that much and enables me to just get the job done without going out of our house.
I am happy with my decision that I stopped my small clothing business years ago. I am happy to try out other hustles that I can juggle along with my academic and personal life. I shared in this article of mine all the side hustles that I did, both physical and digital products and earning platforms that I've tried: I Earned XX,XXX Money: Side Hustles Changed My Life.
Anyways, a shameless plug though. Here's my small business that I made in exchange for my clothing business years ago. You can send a direct message there if you want to avail and I will gladly assist you. 🤗
Salute to all small business owners who sell physical items such as clothes, stationery, etc. I am aware that shipping, packaging, and all that isn't easy. However, hard work always pays off. Fighting~! ❤️✨
Maraming salamat sa pagbabasa at hanggang sa susunod na artikulo. Paalam!
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Date Published: March 28, 2022
I have plan to take on a business also ..pero not now muna kasi andami lang kailangang unahin ..pero saludo ako sa mga ganiyan na small business. patuloy lang po kasi sa maliit naman nagsisimula lahat eh.