Happy Thursday everyone! I've got the cutest little Etsy shop on today's
Miss Independent!
Meet Cat, also known as
BrideBlu! You can follow her on her
blog and find neat DIY's as well as fashion posts. Then you can head over and check out what her
store has to offer!
Cat's store features charming handmade and vintage jewelry. Don't you just love it?
1.
What made you decide to start your own business?
I have always
had a creative side and an absolute passion for thrifting & antiquing.
BrideBlu gives me a venue to release both of these passions in a productive
way.
2.
What was your biggest risk or fear about starting a business?
Putting myself
out there. Everything in my shop is either made by hand or hand selected
by me (my vintage pieces). When someone purchases something from my shop
and I package up the order, I still get a bit anxious. What if my
customer doesn't like it? Thankfully, I have the most fantastic customers
and I am so grateful and humbled each and every time someone is drawn to my
work enough to click purchase.
3.
How did you know what you wanted to do?
The idea of
"being my own boss" has always been a dream of mine. Having an
Esty shop allowed me to "test the waters" on a part time basis while
still being a responsible "day job" attendee (but boy, oh boy ... not
a day goes by without a brief dream of leaving that day job behind and turning
all my focus onto BrideBlu!)
4.
What support system do you have for your business to help you stay motivated?
My husband is
my biggest cheerleader. He is always there with an encouraging word.
It can get a little overwhelming as I work full time and, in my spare time, run
BrideBlu (both the shop and the blog). In those dark hours, hubby is
always there with an "I'm so proud of you" or a "You are
amazing", which instantly lifts my mood.
5. What
is your biggest challenge about running your own business?
Time
management. I love making jewelry and blogging but I also work full-time
and am a "family-girl". It can be a struggle to keep all the
balls in the air, so to speak. At the end of the day, I want to make sure
that my time is weighed toward the most important thing in my life ... my
family.
6.
What is the best advice you have for someone wanting to start a business?
Be true to
yourself and your brand. It can be hard as there are A LOT of other
jewelry designers out there but I really try to stay true to the vision I have
for BrideBlu and not stray into designs that don't fit the core essences of
BrideBlu's vintage, sweet, and simple-elegance style.
