Running a successful business is no easy feat. For the past 20 years, I’ve been building and growing my stationery company, Raspberry Creative. It’s been a labor of love, filled with passion, creativity, and a lot of long hours. I’ve poured my heart into it, and in return, it has given me incredible experiences and a steady income. But over the years, something began to shift, and if I’m honest, the demands of running Raspberry Creative started to take a toll.
A Pandemic-Induced Reality Check
When the pandemic hit, I, like so many others, found myself questioning everything. Suddenly, the fast pace and the constant hustle felt unsustainable. I began asking myself tough questions: How much longer do I want to keep doing this? Is this the life I want to live? Stationery is an incredibly competitive market, and wedding season (my busiest time of year) always seems to overlap with when B wants to go on vacation, which has caused plenty of tension over the years. The pandemic made me realize that the way I’d been working wasn’t aligned with the life I wanted to live, especially as I started seeing how fragile life can be.
The Loss That Changed Everything
Last year, after the death of my Dad, those questions about my priorities became impossible to ignore. Losing him was a reminder that life is fleeting, and none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. I began to think deeply about what I really wanted my life to look like. My Dad was a hard worker who lived his life fully, and I wanted to honor that by making sure I wasn’t just going through the motions. If I was feeling like it was time for a change, then now was always the right time to make it happen.
Taking the Leap at the Start of 2024
At the start of 2024, I knew deep in my gut that this was the year to make some changes. I didn’t know exactly what those changes would look like, but I knew I’d rather try and fail than do nothing at all. So, I started to explore my options. I even got my real estate license (you can read all about that adventure in this blog post), but it quickly became clear that wasn’t the right path for me either. I didn’t feel the excitement I was looking for. Then, somewhat unexpectedly, reselling came into my life.
Discovering Reselling as a Passion
Reselling, for me, has been a surprising new chapter. What began as a curiosity quickly turned into something I found myself truly enjoying. The thrill of sourcing unique pieces, the excitement of selling something that someone else will love, and the flexibility it offers—it all clicked for me. But, just like with any business, reselling takes time, effort, and dedication.
The thing about priorities is that if something is important enough to you, you will find a way to make it happen. So, that’s what I did. I made a plan that would allow me to balance both Raspberry Creative and my new passion for reselling.
How I’m Making Time for Reselling
The key to making time for reselling has been all about creating structure and being intentional with my time. Here’s how I’ve been balancing both businesses:
- Splitting My Day in Half: Mornings are for Raspberry Creative. This is when I focus only on the most important tasks for my stationery business. By dedicating my mornings to Raspberry Creative, I’m able to stay on top of my commitments and ensure that my clients are still receiving the best service and products possible. The afternoons, however, belong to reselling. I use this time to list new items, manage my inventory, and stay engaged with the reselling community.
- Weekend Thrifting Adventures: Weekends have become my time to source inventory. I hit up thrift stores, estate sales, and even clean out my own closet for pieces to resell. I’ve found that dedicating a few hours each weekend to shopping helps me stay stocked up without cutting into my weekday schedule.
- Flexibility with Purpose: Not all days are split evenly, and that’s OK. Some days, Raspberry Creative requires more of my attention, and on other days, I’m fully immersed in reselling. The beauty of this new chapter in my life is that I have the flexibility to be present for both. What matters most is that I have a real plan in place—not just a lot of “I hope I cans.”
It’s All About Priorities
For so long, I told myself that I couldn’t make time for something new. Raspberry Creative was my business baby, and I didn’t want to let anything jeopardize that. But the truth is, it’s possible to make time for new passions if you’re intentional about your priorities. It’s about being realistic with your schedule, setting boundaries, and giving yourself permission to explore something new.
As I continue on this journey of reselling, I’m learning that it’s OK to evolve. It’s OK to pivot, to change direction, and to follow new dreams. Life is short, and if something is pulling at your heart, don’t be afraid to pursue it. You never know where it might lead.
Conclusion: Trusting the Process
Making time for reselling hasn’t been without its challenges, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. This year has been all about embracing change and trusting that the process will unfold as it should. I’m excited to see where reselling takes me, and I’m grateful for the balance it’s brought to my life. If you’re feeling the pull to make a change, I encourage you to follow that instinct. Prioritize what matters most to you, and don’t be afraid to take that leap.
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