Some people's careers seem to take off like a jackrabbit. They have an idea and wham! They have a huge, flourishing business.
I'm thinking of a crafter I met this year who makes darling handmade baby shoes. Almost as soon as she opened her Etsy shop, she received an order from a celebrity with an upscale children's boutique in L.A. She's been super busy ever since, expanding her business and learning about manufacturing products, international business relations, and a host of large-scale issues that aren't even on my radar yet.
That's wonderful if it happens to you, but if it doesn't, I don't think there's any reason to worry. A slow start can actually be an advantage. I started my Etsy shop in August last year and I'm so glad that I didn't try to open it during the whirlwind of November or December. Having a few slow months before the holiday shopping rush meant that I could figure out things like how to ship packages internationally and who had the best price for those little jewelry boxes. If I had been forced to start quickly, I would have become overwhelmed and frustrated.
Story-Inspired Jewelry
In thinking about slow versus fast starts, I kept coming back to the Aesop tale of The Tortoise and The Hare. Do you remember that fable? Both animals take off at the same time for the race. It seems almost certain that the super quick rabbit will win, but the turtle keeps plodding along and lo and behold [SPOILER ALERT], the tortoise wins the race.
When I saw these little copper-plated animal charms, I knew I wanted to create The Tortoise and The Hare Earrings to remind me that a faster start isn't necessarily better. I originally thought about stamping the words "fast" and "slow" on the Vintaj brass circles, but I ultimately decided I liked "start" and "finish" better. No matter what your passion, it doesn't matter how you start—only that you finish!