{One little biz} little by design - and a GIVEAWAY!

"Big Bow Dress" by Eggo in the Oven
Headband by RubyKinz Hair Accessories
photo courtesy of Foto Forte - Brooklyn Noel, Model

Today is my last post in my 4-part guest blog series {One little biz} - thank you so much to Marcia for allowing me to hijack her blog and share my experiences with you!  Marcia will be back next week - can't wait to see more of her beautiful quilting!

The final line in the manifesto I shared in my first guestblog post really resonates with me - and seems like the perfect topic for the last post this series. 

"my biz is little by design. little is AWESOME."

The truth is, many most people expect that the goal of every small business owner is to have LOADS of success that grows their company from a little biz to something HUGE.  But that may not be the case...

{little by design}

Over the last few years, I have been given LOTS of advice from fellow small biz owners - both directly from others, and through blog articles / testimonies, etc. that I have come across.  As with anything in life, there are SO many people out there ready to tell you how they think you should do things - or how they have done things.

While I still look up to other small biz owners who have had great success and built a BIG small biz - and am grateful for the things I have learned from them - I have also realized one thing that really tends to be at the base of every decision I make.  My biz is {little by design}.  Personally, I have no desire to become HUGE.  I have experienced GREAT success for my little biz.  By now, Eggo in the Oven could be much bigger than it is.  But that's not my design or intention.

Tiered Peasant Dress by Eggo in the Oven
Photo courtesy of Signature Studios by Lisa

My favorite part of what I do is that I do it.  Each and every item made and sold by Eggo in the Oven is made by me.  This is not just about pride {though I am very proud of the items I make} -this is about the creative process.  I love taking raw materials, and a vision, and creating something.  I love picking out fabrics {from the MASSIVE "fabric store" in my home.... that I replenish quicker than I can sew through it!}

Along the way, many people have suggested that I hire help - someone to help with admin stuff, or sewing, or childcare....... and while I understand that may be the perfect solution for some, I don't want to just be a person who runs a company.  I want to sew.  I enjoy sewing / creating every order (well, most of the time!).  I don't want to spend my time promoting others' work, even if I have a hand in designing it.

Ruffled Bubble Romper by Eggo in the Oven
Photo courtesy of Signature Studios by Lisa

My goal / vision for my company?   {I still giggle when I say / type "my company" because that's just not how I see it!} - to have a creative outlet, an excuse to play with pretty fabric, something that helps me fill my days {because somehow I guess I don't think I have enough on my plate!}, to have measurable and attainable goals.

I don't want to be HUGE.  I definitely don't do this to make big bucks.  I want to enjoy what I do and create items I am proud to say that I made.  So Eggo in the Oven has to stay little.  And that is okay!  Little is AWESOME!

Superkiddo onesie - by Eggo in the Oven
Photo courtesy of Sweet Pea Photography

I have struggled with this for some time, and have gotten to a point where I have WAY too much work for one person.  And I hated.every.second of it.  Looking back, I can see that I was having a hard time because I was losing focus - trying to be what others wanted me / my business to be. 

Pillowcase Dress (shown worn as a top / tunic) by Eggo in the Oven
Custom headband and necklace by RubyKinz Hair Accessories

I have learned that the word "no" is NOT a bad word.  It is a necessary word.  I have learned to take pride in what I create - the quality of workmanship, the attention to detail, the durability.  I have learned to focus less on what others are creating and selling {and the prices they are selling for} - and focus on what I create / sell {and the price I need to charge - based on MY item / time}.  I have learned that there are a variety of customers out there - and I can't {and don't want to} appeal to them all.  My customers appreciate my quality.  They appreciate the time I take to create something unique for them.  They appreciate that I am the one who answers their emails / questions / walk them through the design process.  And I appreciate it too.

Do I still struggle - almost daily - with the vision / direction / pricing / workload / finding a balance?  Yes.  But that is part of the process.

Eggo in the Oven is little by design.  Little is AWESOME.

A recap of my {One little biz} guest blog series:

{one woman} ~ {BIG relationships} ~ {BIG community} ~ {little by design}

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Rainbow 6pk of fat quarters
Marcia's Crafty Sewing & Quilting

You didn't think I could do a guest blogging series and NOT have at least one giveaway, did you?!

"Squiggle plaid and dots" cotton / minky blanket
measures approximately 34" square
Made by Eggo in the Oven

Enter using the super simple form below!

ONE winner will be drawn - and win a set of rainbow fat quarters from Marcia's Crafty Sewing & Quilting, and a handmade minky / cotton blanket from Eggo in the Oven
prizes pictured above!

Don't sew?  Fabric isn't just for sewing!  Use your rainbow pack for decor, hair accessories, ANYTHING!

Don't have a kiddo?  This blanket would make a GREAT gift!

Winner will be announced Monday, April 8th - here on the blog!

a Rafflecopter giveaway