Your jewellery business – what do you really want for 2015?

It is the end of another year. I hope you have had bumper sales this November and December. Now is a good time to spend some time taking stock (metaphorically speaking!) to consider what you have achieved this year and what you want to achieve with your jewellery business in 2015.

What has gone well?
We often spend a lot of time focusing on the next thing to do and don’t give ourselves the pat on the back we deserve. Give yourself some time to think about 2014. What has gone well this year? What have you achieved? This could be new designs, new skills, sales, social media, pr – anything that has worked well.

How do you want to feel?

Danielle LaPorte, author of the Desire Map, suggests that when we set new goals we do it backwards. We shouldn’t focus on the goal so much as what the goal means to us. How do you want to feel? Is it about control, security, wealth, love, admiration for you? Spend some time thinking about how you want to feel. The more clarity you have about this the easier it is to set some goals for your business that are truly aligned with what you want.

Setting some goals

Once you have worked out how you want to feel you can start to set some goals. It pays not to be overwhelmed by too many so a couple of goals that you can keep in the front of your mind is best. For example

Control

Do you want to feel more in control of your business instead of it controlling you? Your goals could be around more specific planning to help you feel in control e.g. how many pieces do you want to make for valentines day, by when?

Get your tax system working for you so as soon as you have an expense or a sale you input it into your system (saves loads of time, adds to a feeling of control and smugness! I recommend Go Simple Tax if you are a sole trader. So easy to use).

Admiration

Would you like more recognition for your work? Consider approaching magazines and blogs to see if you can get featured.  Approach a shop you would love to be sold in and see where that goes.

Wealth

How can you increase your sales? Can you cut your costs in any way e.g. by finding a new supplier or bulk buying? Could you sell in more than one place e.g. on Etsy, Folksy, Big Cartel etc.

Can you cut the time it takes to make your work? Alternatively, can you find a couple of really big clients and add a zero (or two) to your commission prices?

It is really worth spending time thinking about what you want to achieve in your business. We spend so much time with our heads down thinking about the minutiae of our days that the years pass us by. Make 2015 a year when you are more focused on what you truly desire.

Anna Campbell is an experienced teacher and enjoys all types of jewellery making including beading and silver clay. She runs her own business, Light Boat Jewellery and has made jewellery for celebrities. However, before having a jewellery business she studied psychology and has taught psychology at university level.