Failure. As entrepreneurs and creatives, we all run into it at one time or another. It’s discouraging to have an amazing idea or dream and then not have it work out. It can make us want to sit down and cry a river of tears and then swim in the puddle😭 Don’t do that though! If you’re in the middle of not being sure if something will work out or not, let’s talk through it and resolve to not give up, because you might be about to turn a corner and everything could be about to change!

All the failures that lead to success.

Thomas Edison once said that it was “ten thousand failures” that lead to the creation of the light bulb. That’s pretty intense if you think about it. I’m fairly certain that I’ve never in my life tried something that many times. Edison was determined to see his idea through no matter the number of times he failed. And that was a lot of failure! Seriously. But, he knew that one more try and one more after that, and one more after that could lead to something that changed the world. And so it did!

A shovel full of dirt.

As an Etsy seller, sometimes working to find the success you’re looking for in your shop can feel a little like banging your head into a brick wall. You might think you’ve landed on the BEST thing ever and then, not so much…and there’s that brick wall again. First of all, let’s change that perspective. Instead of thinking of it as a brick wall, imagine you’re holding a shovel in your hand. That shovel is going to start digging until you’ve tunneled under the wall and you’ve reached the other side! The important part is, you’ve got to keep shoveling (think Shawshank Redemption).  

Start digging.

So what are you going to do? Start digging. Start brainstorming ideas, doing research, diving into figuring out where your niche is and what that looks like for you. Is it going to be an overnight success? Probably not. The greatest things usually aren’t (here’s looking at you Edison) which is why you need to have courage and keep digging! 

Courage is your foundation.

It takes a TON of courage to keep going when an idea doesn’t pan out. When you thought you nailed something only to find out it’s not what you imagined. Courage demands that you continue on, not quitting just because it didn’t go the way you planned. You’ve got this! Now is NOT the time to quit! Keep shoveling off that dirt, because the very next shovel full could mean you strike gold. But how will you ever know if you stop where you’re at? 

Failure simply means a change in direction.

Did you know that Abraham Lincoln was failing in his business in 1831, suffered a nervous breakdown in 1836 and was defeated in his run for president in 1856?? Yeah, that happened. Can you imagine what a different world we’d live in now if he’d given up after just one of those epic failures? Famously he said: 

“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.”

Lincoln was elected as the 16th president of the United States of America in 1861. So, here’s the thing, if Lincoln had succeeded in business, he might never have thought of pushing for more! He could have simply stopped right there and been a great success. But, if a failing businessman riddled with anxiety to the point of a nervous breakdown could go on to become the President, then I can guarantee that you’re you’ve got what it takes to find success! Understand that true failure is walking away or being content with the failure and stopping. 

Believe that you can do it.

Isn’t it crazy that as children, we truly believe we can do ANYTHING! But somewhere along the journey, we stop believe this to be true. Instead, we begin to believe we actually can’t do what we want. We have to do what we’re told or we believe that what we always wanted is simply out of our reach. Well, let us remind you that, honey, you can absolutely achieve anything you want! The key is to not doubt your ability to achieve it. If you have to switch directions, fine! In the words of Ross from “Friends” “PIVOT!” But, do NOT quit!

Failure is only a lesson. 

Henry Ford said, “ Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” These words are gold! Especially as an Etsy seller. Didn’t get your Etsy SEO the first time around?? I mean, good grief, none of us do! We have to try and try and change things and change them again and then TRY AGAIN! Did your descriptions just not bring the interaction you wanted? Well, great! Now you know what NOT to do. Every lesson learned and every single failure is a movement in the right direction!

We believe in you and know you can do this.

At Marmalead, our team is 100% about thinking positive and moving forward. Every single team member we have could tell you about failures and successes and how we’ve experienced both scenarios. Like you, we’re always brainstorming new ways to make our customers more successful and provide them with tools that will lead to this end. But, whether it’s marketing or some crazy idea one of us had, not everything we’ve come up with has been a success. 

But, we’re still here with you and we’re SO proud that Marmalead has become a success story. And that’s because of customers like you. You’re the reason we’re successful, which is why we’re passionate about you having success as well! Please know we’re right here with you, cheering you on. We 100% believe that together we can be successful and that you are absolutely headed in the right direction. 

So from us to you, let’s keep coming up with crazy ideas, knowing that failure is simply success in motion😁

Happy selling, everyone!