February 2026 Roundup
Welcome to my first end-of-the-month mini-review of how my small UK business has been doing.
I’m hoping this monthly check-in will help me track what I’ve been working on, while also sharing the real ups and downs of running a small business — so that if you’re on this journey too, you know you’re not alone.
February 2026 has felt… slow. The first two weeks brought in a nice handful of sales, and then things suddenly went quiet. And from what I’ve seen, I’m not the only small business owner experiencing that shift.
Add in the February half-term, and it’s been a bit of a balancing act. The life of a mum-owned business is never dull.
So let’s break the month down and take a snapshot look at what’s been happening.
Sales Snapshot 📦
Overall, sales were down compared to the same period last year. There could be several reasons for this — ongoing USA tariff discussions, people tightening their spending, possible Etsy changes — it’s very hard to pinpoint one definitive cause.
Overview of Shop Stats:
- Best Seller: Sci-Fi Door/Wall Sign
- Unexpected Performer: Love Heart Stickers – This bought in many views and a couple of sales.
- Slower Product: Bee Lavender Bookmark – This is usually quite popular, especially at this time of year.
Interestingly, views on my website have increased slightly, while Etsy views have dipped. I’ve been blogging more consistently, so that may well be contributing to the website traffic boost.
Repeat Customers: One wonderful repeat customer placed an order for three items to the USA — something I’m always incredibly grateful for.
What Worked Well: Two sales came directly from Etsy ads.
What I’m Changing for March: Instead of rotating promoted listings every 30 days, I’m going to keep the items that consistently drive clicks switched on for longer. The aim is to build steady traffic while refreshing slower listings monthly.
Product Development Corner 🎨
I have struggled a little this month in getting new designs and products out. I launched a few new items in time for Valentine’s Day, and I have a list of design ideas in my notebook.
One exciting experiment has been sublimating plush toys. It’s been a fun (and slightly unpredictable) learning curve. I’m currently developing an idea for a bunny plush, which I think could make a beautiful personalised gift.
I also started work on a coaster design, but it just wasn’t coming together the way I’d hoped — so that’s one to revisit later.
I’ve begun designing:
- A new spring-themed sticker sheet
- A tote bag design
- A couple of new coaster concepts
- And of course, the personalised bunny plush idea
March is looking like it might be a busy month for new designs and products.
Community & Connection 🤍
One thing I’m incredibly grateful for this month is community.
Running a small business in the UK doesn’t mean doing it alone. I was kindly invited to join a wonderful support group on Instagram and TikTok, and it’s been such a positive space.
We organised a “Secret Cupid” exchange — each of us sent a gift from our own shop to another small business, then shared the boxing and unboxing videos on social media. On the 13th and 14th of February, my phone didn’t stop buzzing as everyone posted their videos. The engagement was amazing.
Thanks to PositiviTea for helping to organise it.
We also did a “Meet the Team” video that was put together by the wonderful Lel Reccomends on TikTok. That got a huge response, too.
And shout out to Old School Ice Cream on Instagram for lots of supportive comments on my posts — those small gestures really do mean a lot.
The Reality Check
Sales have been challenging this month, and I won’t pretend that seeing a drop compared to last year hasn’t been tough mentally.
But I made a conscious effort to shift my mindset. Instead of focusing on what wasn’t happening, I used the quieter time to work on the business — updating listings, improving tags, refining designs — and to spend quality time with my son during half-term.
Even in a slower month, I’m proud of every sale that came in. I hope that pride shows through in my product quality and packaging.
With Mother’s Day and Easter coming up, I’m hopeful March will bring a natural uplift.
Life Behind the Desktop
Behind the desk, life continues as usual — school runs, dentist appointments, and a living room that resembles Jurassic Park most days.
Running a mum-owned business is a constant juggle. There’s business admin… and then there’s school admin. I’m continuously amazed at how many emails a primary school can send in a month.
But I’m incredibly thankful to have the flexibility to work around school life. The money I do make goes towards fun days out and new clothes (because apparently children grow overnight).
It’s busy. It’s messy. But I wouldn’t change it.
Looking Ahead to March
March will be all about spring
I’m planning bright, colourful, slightly whimsical designs, alongside promoting the products already in my shop. It’s also my birthday month — and my Etsy shop’s birthday too — so I’m hoping to celebrate with a special giveaway once the new tote bag design is finished.
My goal is to have most spring launches ready in time for Easter.
Until Next Month…
Thank you for supporting my little business this month. Whether you ordered, shared, liked or simply cheered me on — it truly means everything.
If you’re a fellow small business owner, I’d love to hear how your February went. Why not share your own reflections in the comments?
Until next month 💛
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