May Goals

I have a few May goals - but they're really just a continuation of last month's goals with a couple new ones tossed in.

***Hit 160 sales*** That may be a stretch, as sales seem to be slowing down the past couple weeks. But, I'm setting my goal a little high anyway. That's where I want to be on June 3rd. I'm going to do my best to get there.

***Build more inventory*** Who knows when/if the Christmas rush will hit. I want to be prepared with products that are stored away and not listed. So far, I have a little less than a dozen things. I want to triple that.

***Review best sellers*** Take a look at the best sellers - figure out what percentage of all my sales is due to these specific items. Make more of them, and take a look at the ones that aren't selling so well. I need to decide whether to keep making them, or let them phase out. I've already done this with some products, but I feel like I shouldn't take time away from my best sellers to continue making more of under sellers. Also, cohesiveness is so essential. I think my shop is pretty cohesive, but I totally shy away from shops that aren't. A disorganized shop does not spell quality, it spells.....I don't know what the hell I'm doing, so I'll just list a bunch of stuff. eek!

***Buy less*** As far as supplies go...if I find a fabric I love, I almost always buy it. My fabric is insane - I have a LOT. I need to work with what I've got for a while and stop buying so much (but it's so damn good looking!). Profit, people. You've got to make a profit - even if you're doing it for love. That brings me to my last goal.

***Remember why I started*** I recently answered a poll by another etsian asking why we create/sell on etsy. My own answers surprised me. I didn't start madbird to make a lot of money. I did it because I LOVE to make stuff. That was the main reason. No lie. The second reason - to stay sane. Let's face it, I'm a mother of four and I stay home. I can get a little crazy. Having all of these orders to fill, and goals to meet keeps me grounded. The third reason was - money. In that order, those were my answers.

No boss for me. No regular hours. No dress code. No daycare. No time away from my family. No layoffs. I have the best possible job I could ask for, and I stay home doing it - with my kids right here. I'm only sad my husband has to go to his job. But, someone does need to make a guaranteed salary, that's for sure. I'm just glad it's not me! So let's all give etsy a great big warm hug. What would we do without it?