Viva Leve

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced since starting my small business has been staying consistent when the results haven’t shown up yet. When I first began this journey, I honestly thought selling my products would be a little easier. I knew I would have a lot to learn, that I would make mistakes, improve my skills, and grow along the way. What I didn’t expect was how difficult it would be to stay motivated without seeing many sales.

The truth is, not selling can be discouraging. Building something from the ground up often feels lonely. I spend hours creating new products, taking photos, writing descriptions, and sharing them online, hoping someone will connect with my work. Sometimes a few people like or comment on my posts, but most of the time, they don’t. Many of my posts receive very little engagement, and on those days, it can feel like all the effort is going unnoticed.

I know I’m still at the beginning of this journey, and I also know that every beginning is hard. I’m learning that this season—when sales are slow—isn’t wasted time. It’s an opportunity to improve my products, experiment with new ideas, learn new skills, and continue refining everything I create. Even when I don’t make a sale, I’m still making progress. Every mistake teaches me something. Every project helps me grow. Every product becomes a little better than the last.

Starting a business is an emotional roller coaster. One day, you wake up full of ideas, excited about the future, convinced that everything will work out. The next day, you wonder if you should just give up, sell your equipment, and move on. Sometimes it feels like nobody believes in what you’re building, and if I’m honest, there are days when I struggle to believe in myself too.

It’s also incredibly easy to compare yourself to everyone else. Social media makes it look like every other small business has beautiful products, thousands of followers, constant engagement, and steady sales. What we don’t see are the months—or even years—they spent creating before anyone noticed them. We don’t see the failed products, the posts that no one liked, or the moments when they questioned whether they should keep going. Comparing my beginning to someone else’s success story is never a fair comparison.

Even with all these challenges, I remind myself that I’m not alone. Every small business starts somewhere. Many of the companies we admire today began with very few customers, very little revenue, and countless obstacles. That doesn’t guarantee that every business will become a global brand, but it reminds me that a quiet beginning doesn’t define the ending.

I truly believe that, in His perfect timing, God will bring the right people to my business—people who will appreciate the care, creativity, and love behind everything I make. I pray that He gives me wisdom and fresh ideas so I can create products that genuinely bless the people who receive them.

My goal has never been to simply sell a product.

I want every bookmark, every mug, every notebook, and every handmade item to feel meaningful. I want people to receive more than just something beautiful. I hope they feel comfort, encouragement, and a reminder that someone created it with intention and care.

Because my faith is such an important part of my life, I also hope that many of my creations can quietly point people toward God’s love. Whether it’s through an encouraging message, a Bible verse, or simply a product that brings joy to someone’s day, I want my work to reflect something greater than myself.

I’m still learning how to keep going even when the results don’t come as quickly as I’d hoped. I’m learning that consistency isn’t about feeling motivated every single day. It’s about showing up even when motivation fades. It’s about remembering why I started, trusting the process, and believing that not all growth can be measured by sales, followers, or likes.

Right now, my business may still be growing behind the scenes, far from where most people can see it. But every product I create, every article I write, every lesson I learn, and every small step forward is becoming part of the story God is writing for me.

There are still days when I feel like giving up.

But there are also days when hope returns.

And for now, I’m choosing to keep going. ❤️