Wow, 2021 was a damn ride. What an amazing year and a year full of learning. the year was my first full year in business. January started off busy, as I had a big wait list of bag orders. I hadn't quite figured out how to keep up with orders yet and a wait list seemed the best idea. In hind sight it wasn't quite a good idea and created a lot more stress. I was still working my part time day job sewing at another small company.
As much as I truly loved that job and how much I had grown there, this venture was taking off faster than I thought. In march I took the plunge and quit my job to pursue KEL full time. Although I was sad to leave my job I was so excited to see what I could do on my own. I slowly started fixing up my home studio, which at the time last winter was still in the small back room in my house. I added a few new machines, a walking foot and a cylinder arm.
With new machine I quickly outgrew my back room, flash forward to the summer and I decided to move my studio to a different part of the house. With so much more room I felt much more productive and excited for work.
Throughout the first few months of working completely for myself I had a few challenges. I guess the biggest one was keeping myself accountable and working on a schedule. Working from home makes it so easy to put everything down and stop. I had to start setting a schedule of getting into the studio, working, and finishing. Finishing was the day was the most important part, if i didn't tell myself to stop I would keep going into the night. Theres nothing wrong with putting in the grind and working into the night, but for myself it wasn't the healthiest. I would neglect taking breaks, taking care of the dogs, and most of all not take any alone time to recharge.
Business aside, the year hasn't been all flowers and sunshine. I dealt with my chronic migraines getting worse and not having any relief. I visited my doctor countless times with no results. My orthodontist and dentist both agree they think it is my teeth grinding/clenching which is the cause. Im hoping it is but still have not seen much relief with heat compresses and not eating certain foods. I recently got a mouth guard to sleep with and within a month have already chipped it so much that i'm scared to wear it anymore fearing ill break it. My last hope is going for botox in my TMJ muscles, which i'm trying to get by the end of the month. Fingers crossed it will provide some relief!
Honestly this past year was probably one of the best years I have had, I turned 29 and am looking forward to heading into my 30s in 2022. A few years ago I was in quite a dead end a couldn't see myself finding anything I loved or getting out of dead end jobs. Im so fucking happy I took the chance to go back to school, start this business and start selling bags. I cant wait to see what the next year holds, I already have a lot of plans and cant wait to start.
O:nen ki wahi 2021, stoodis 2022.