The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was wondering if others would like my designs as much as I did. I loved them, but I still felt nervous about putting them out there. I decided to interact with customers directly by taking my products to markets. I was amazed at the positive response! People could see the quality and appreciate the love that has been poured into every product, which was a huge boost in confidence for me.
Another challenge that I have overcome is the challenge of managing my time effectively. As a small business owner, I have to wear many different hats. I have to be a designer, a marketer, a customer service representative and an accountant. It can be difficult to manage all of these different responsibilities, but I have learned to prioritise and to delegate tasks where I can.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Running my own business has both pros and cons. Here are a few of each:
Pros:
- You are your own boss.
- You have the freedom to set your own hours and to work on projects that you are passionate about.
- You have the potential to earn a lot of money.
- You can build a business that reflects your values and your vision.
Cons:
- It can be difficult to manage work-life balance.
- You are responsible for everything, from product development to marketing to customer service.
- It can be stressful and overwhelming at times.
- You may have to work long hours, especially in the early stages of your business.
Overall, I believe that the pros of running my own business outweigh the cons. I love being creative, dreaming of new ideas and being able to build a business that I am passionate about.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
My hopes and dreams for the future are to continue to grow my business and to reach more customers. I also want to continue to develop new and innovative products that will help parents to create beautiful spaces for their little ones.
Visit the Gelli & Co Design website to find out more, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.