watercolor leaves with quote "There's joy in the journey" lddesignloft

AHA, moments in my entrepreneurial journey

Walking a creative entrepreneurial journey takes guts, gumption, and heart.

It’s been a few years since LD Design Loft came to be. No fancy ribbon cutting but I surely cut my attachments to fear & resistance.

As Steven Pressfield would say: “The more important a call to action is to our soul’s evolution, the more Resistance we will feel about answering it.”

I’m grateful I found the courage, I’m thankful for the transformation I’ve gone through. The permission I’ve given myself to explore and create, to find the courage to fail forward. Not everything has worked, but I learned a lot along the way.

I’ve found such value in those who share their own journey, so I thought it would be helpful to let you know where I’m at.

If you’re new to my pocket of the internet, it would help to share with you my humble beginnings. You can go back to the post; How I started my online business – as a mother of four  to know my “Why”.

Entrepreneurship has definitely been a real growth experience for me.  A couple of my mentors, Jen & Elke Clarke have even called it a “Success Story” on one of their podcast episodes.

PODCAST (episode 68) entitled “Mompreneurs who have built their Own Zazzle Success Stories.” You can listen to it here.

(They talk about me at 22:57)

Jen and elke clarke episode 68 - lorena depante

I had to sit a bit in seeing those words “Success Story”.

It’s humbling to hear others acknowledge your success. Especially when they are your mentors since they know all the sacrifices and smart work involved in it.

This path has transformed and brought joy and growth to my family and me. I’m absolutely grateful I took action when I did which brought me to where I’m at. It’s unbelievable how small everyday actions bring clarity and in turn courage. 

From that first $2 online earnings, it was enough to fuel me to discover more. If I can make $2, I can make $2,000, Heck $20,000…dare I say Millions.

Since the podcast episode, I’m happy to share that I’m making progress towards earning my Gold Pro Badge from Zazzle. I have surpassed a significant milestone in lifetime earnings on Zazzle alone. Regardless of your perception of the progress, I hope it serves as motivation for what can be achieved. I reached this point while juggling a day job and making time amidst school drop-offs and a hectic schedule.

Remember, the path to success in a creative entrepreneurial business is unique for each individual, but I noticed there were a few ‘aha’ moments that really helped me move forward. Here are a few I’d like to share with you. 

Aha, moments.

  1. Be Clear on Your “Why” : Understand your deeper motivation and purpose behind starting your business. Knowing your “why” will provide direction, drive, and a sense of fulfillment during challenging times. 

  2. Treat your business as a business, and not a hobby. : Recognize the importance of taking your business seriously. Dedicate time, resources, and effort as if it were a professional endeavor. Establish proper systems, set goals, and prioritize tasks to ensure long-term success. Analyze your metrics to gain valuable insights into what strategies are effective and which ones need improvement.

  3. Build a business that lights you up and aligns with the lifestyle you’re envisioning: Create a venture that not only generates income but also brings you joy and satisfaction. There’s joy in the journey, so align your business with your personal values, interests, and long-term vision for the kind of life you want to live. This alignment will help you stay motivated and fulfilled.

    Make time to create, I’m sure that’s part of why you got into this in the first place – foster creativity.

  4. Create something you’re proud of. Make sure you’re serving your ideal customer.: Focus on delivering  high-quality designs, products and/or services that you can take pride in. Ensure that your offerings meet the needs and desires of your target audience. By providing value and solving their problems, you build a loyal customer base and generate positive word-of-mouth.

  5. Find clarity when you’re stuck (Google is your friend).: When faced with challenges or uncertainties, leverage the power of the internet and do thorough research. Utilize search engines, online forums, and resources to gain insights and find solutions. Seek clarity by learning from others’ experiences and gathering information to make informed decisions. Some paid platforms such as SkillShare can provide many teachers at your fingers tips.

  6. Take action even when you’re scared (remember clarity comes from action which in turn brings courage).: Overcome fear and resistance by taking consistent action. Action leads to clarity as you gain firsthand experience and learn from both successes and failures. Each step forward builds momentum and increases your confidence and courage. 

  7. Stay consistent and show up – Keep taking action, creating, and showing up (See point #6. Do it scared). Posting on social media for example and putting yourself out there may feel vulnerable, but you never know who will find your work. Keep creating, illustrating, share your process and content.

  8. Find Others who have experienced success in what you want to do. Invest in yourself and implement what you’ve learned.: Surround yourself with mentors, coaches, or individuals who have achieved success in your desired field. Learn from their experiences, seek guidance, and invest in personal development opportunities. Implementing their insights and strategies can accelerate your own progress. (You’d be surprised on how much time you save – some courses/mentorship you need to pay for – but like they say “When you pay, you pay attention.”

  9. Let those you trust know what you want to do.  – Don’t forget to ask for help, those who love you will be more supportive when they know your plan.: Share your aspirations with trusted friends, family, or mentors. Opening up about your goals and dreams allows others to provide support, guidance, and potentially connect you with valuable resources or opportunities. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed.

  10. Be in a group/community of abundant like-minded entrepreneurs.: Engaging with a group of like-minded individuals, provides inspiration, support, and valuable networking opportunities. Collaborate, exchange ideas, and learn from others who understand and appreciate the entrepreneurial journey.

  11. Work on your mindset daily – Give yourself grace and always be grateful.: Cultivate a positive and growth-oriented mindset. Continuously invest in personal development through reading, listening to podcasts, or attending seminars. A strong mindset will help you navigate challenges and stay focused on your goals while maintaining a sense of gratitude and self-compassion.

 

Further, as I keep walking my path, I continue to invest in myself through more online education. Enhancing my knowledge on marketing, social media, art licensing and more.

I also prioritize mentorship and the power of community. I’m part of a peer-led Mastermind group that fosters growth and collaboration. 

Besides from Zazzle, I’m actively expanding my income streams and would love your support. Explore and also shop my creations on, Minted, Etsy, and Society6… More to come. Stay connected by subscribing to our email list for the latest news and updates. 

If you like this post I hope you share it with your friends.

*Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on posts, and endorsements may result in affiliate income earned but will not affect the price for you the customer. I appreciate your support and I hope the suggestions I make bring value to you as a consumer. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about any products and my experience with the company.

Posted in Behind the scenes, Education, Entrepreneur life, MIndset, Tips, zazzle and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

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