a few thoughts for the weekend

sometimes i take a look around and wonder whose life this is.

the other day a local customer came to my house to pick up some supplies i was selling. i answered the door dripping wet and half dressed (read: not really half dressed, just still in the process of trying to find something cute to wear. which means i was disheveled and not feeling cute at all). when i handed her the package she looked at me and said "so, are YOU the one behind Allora Handmade?" in disbelief.

i wanted to laugh out loud because, certainly, at that moment, and after a hectic morning, i  did not match my product image nor was i putting my best foot forward. "i know it's hard to believe, but i do clean up pretty nice." i wanted to say. instead i just spit out an embarrassed,"yeeeesss?"

what a thrill to see my lovelies on a real mannequin in a real store. (shade's local designer accessory market)

she proceeded to ask me questions about how i had sold so many items and what she should do to get the word out for her new shop as though i was some sort of an expert. again, i wanted to laugh but tried to keep it together and appear somewhat professional. i know that this past year i have been very blessed. there's no doubt about that. but, what started as a cross-your-fingers and hope we can pay rent next month last-ditch effort has now bloomed into a busy, thriving business. and it almost feels like an accident. don't get me wrong, i've put a lot of long hours into this budding beauty, but the hardest part is finding the hours in the day to meet the demand - not finding a way to get the word out. as i gave her a few tips, things that seemed so intuitive to me, i realized that they aren't actually intuitive to every one. 

so before i share my tips, any shop owners out there? what about you? what is your go-to for spreading the word and bringing in new customers?