At the show I launched at I soon realised that people didn't want just a directory, they wanted content and lots of it. So I soon added interviews with sewing entrepreneurs and authors, technique guides, sewing projects, details of sewing events, competitions and more. Luckily as a small business I was able to adapt quickly to what people wanted.
A couple years ago I realised it was mainly crafters using the directory wanting sewing classes or supplies so I removed the dressmakers and launched the workshops database instead. I also started writing business guides for people who wanted to make money from their love of crafts and this ended up leading to a book deal, and a new website which will be launching by the summer.
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| Article in Craft Focus Magazine written by me |
I then started writing for magazines, and working with the Craft and Hobby Association as an affiliate business expert, running my own sewing meet ups as well as traveling the country training people on SEO, marketing and social media.
I now have friends all around the country that I have met through The Sewing Directory, have traveled to places I've never been before and done things well outside of my comfort zone - such a giving a seminar at the Autumn Fair in the NEC! Plus by the end of this year I will have achieved my life long dream of having a book published.
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| Making bags for charity at one of my sewing meetups |
It has been a real rollercoaster over the last 4 years but I have loved almost every minute of it. I am so grateful that I had an idea which sparked a whole new life for me. I get to wake up happy and do something I enjoy. I actually enjoy weekdays as much as weekends because work doesn't feel like work to me.
I won't lie, there have been hard times, really hard times where we've had no money and big business loans, or I've been sick for months on end from being so run down. I have forgotten what it feels like to have free time because I work constantly and at times the stress has been really bad. But looking back over the last 4 years I wouldn't have had it any other way.
Here's hoping there's many more years of The Sewing Directory to come.
5 comments:
Well done !!
You've come a long way Fi, well done, it's a huge amount of work!
What you have achieved is amazing, Fi. Very well done!
Amazing! A job very well done… We're certainly pleased you did and here's to many more!
Thank you everyone, I can't quite believe how much has happened in just 4 years!
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