Taking yourself seriously as a creative.
As a creative, it's easy to fall into the mindset that your work is just a hobby or something you do "on the side."
But if your goal is to grow your handmade business, as it is for me, it's crucial to take yourself—and your craft—seriously. This shift in mindset can be the key to unlocking new opportunities and reaching greater heights in your business.
For me, growing my handmade business, Undefined By Design, has been a journey of self-discovery and entrepreneurial growth. It’s not just about creating beautiful, handmade items—it’s about building a brand, cultivating an engaged customer base, and turning a passion into a thriving enterprise. Taking myself seriously as a creative means embracing this as a business, not just a creative outlet. It means dedicating time to planning, marketing, and selling, and being confident that my work has real value.
When you treat your creative work with the respect it deserves, others will too. This is something I’ve learned through trial and error, but it’s been one of the most empowering shifts in my journey. This is something that takes time. I’ve been at this for several years now, but this is the first year, I’m making my handmade business my priority.
Here are a few ways I’ve made that mindset shift:
Set goals: Having clear, measurable goals for your business gives you something to strive for. Whether it’s hitting a certain number of online sales, getting into more local markets/ craft fairs, or building a stronger online presence, setting goals helps you stay focused on growth. Don’t just say your goal is to make money. Making money with be the is the result of hitting your business goals.
Invest in your craft: Whether it’s upgrading tools, taking a course to refine your skills, or putting time into developing your brand’s online presence, investing in yourself shows that you believe in your business. Plus, this allows others to see your business as a professional brand.
Show up consistently: Whether it's showing up to vendor fairs, posting regularly on social media, or staying active in online communities, consistency helps build credibility and trust with your audience.
No matter what kind of support system you have, taking yourself seriously as a creative is the first step in turning your passion into a sustainable, thriving business. That’s exactly what I’m doing as I continue to grow Undefined By Design…one handmade creation at a time.
Interested in supporting a small handmade business?
Check out my shop today!
