BlogHeader-2

From Hobby to Business: How I Turned My Passion into Profit

by with No Comment Behind the Scenes
Photo by Giulia Bertelli on Unsplash

Welcome

Hello and welcome back to my blog and website! I’m Charlotte, the face (and messy mum bun) behind Panda Motion Designs. I sublimate my hand-drawn and digital illustrations onto sublimation blanks, which then find their forever homes in my Etsy store.

I’ve always been a creative soul. My mum loves telling people how I started drawing the moment I could physically grip a crayon and would happily sit for hours doodling away. I pretty much knew early on that I wanted a job in the creative industries.

What I didn’t know was that I’d eventually be running my own small business from home. So… how on earth did that happen? Grab a coffee, grab a biscuit (or two—no judgement here), and let’s dive in.

Where It All Started

I’ve always been a daydreamer with a wildly overactive imagination, so it felt natural to start turning those daydreams into something I could actually see on paper. Once I started, I never really stopped.

Drawing became my little bubble of calm. It helped me switch off from the world, especially when school was difficult, and bullying made everything feel heavy. Putting pencil to paper gave me a sense of control and a way to create something beautiful out of what was not a particularly beautiful day.

I started with pencil drawings, but with some gentle nudging from my mum, I tried watercolours—and loved them. That’s also when I fell in love with painting flowers, animals, and anything inspired by the natural world.

The Turning Point

It had genuinely never crossed my mind to sell my artwork. It was my husband who planted that seed.

Before all this, I worked as a freelance motion graphics designer and video editor. Then COVID hit. I had my son, and when I eventually felt ready to return to work, all my clients had reorganised and no longer needed me. Childcare-friendly work was impossible to find.

One day, my husband watched me drawing with our son and said, “Why don’t you use sublimation and put your artwork onto products?” I wasn’t convinced at first. I’d seen plenty of artists struggle to get even a single sale. But he believed in me, and with his support, I leapt into the chaotic, exciting, wonderful world of small business.

Taking the First Steps

The beginning was full of research. What should I price things at? Which materials should I use? How do I photograph products without them looking like abstract modern art? And what even is SEO?

I built up my Etsy store slowly—learning how listings worked, navigating Etsy fees, working out branding, and setting up my social media accounts. Etsy itself was surprisingly easy to get started with.

Mistakes? Oh, I made plenty. My personal favourite disaster was massively undercharging for postage on a mug going to the USA. Let’s just say I did not make a profit that day. But every mistake taught me something, and the learning curve was absolutely worth it.

Building a Brand

Branding matters—a lot. In today’s fast-paced digital world, you need something recognisable, clear, and consistent. I stuck with my original business name from my contracting days and kept the same colour scheme. It made everything—from my packaging to my social media—feel cohesive and intentional.

Growing an Audience

knew social media was going to be key. I started with Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram. Facebook and Instagram grew steadily; Twitter… didn’t. So I closed the Twitter account and doubled down on what was working.

Later, I added Pinterest and TikTok. Reels and TikToks have been my best-performing content by far. I’ve now got lovely repeat customers who leave reviews, and offering returning-customer discount codes has really helped keep momentum going.

Turning Passion into Profit

Learning to price realistically has been one of the hardest parts. I still reevaluate my pricing at least once a year to make sure I’m not undervaluing my work—or scaring people off. In this current financial climate, it’s a balancing act.

Once I had over 10 products, I started seeing patterns in what people were most drawn to. That helped shape what new items I created and which designs I focused on.

Challenges Along the Way

When I launched the business, my son was one and had just decided that naps were optional (tragic). I worked around swimming classes, nursery days, and the usual chaos of parenting. Time management was… interesting. My first Christmas season felt like a sitcom where I was trying to print, press, package and post orders while chasing a toddler moving at warp speed.

Planning became essential. I did orders during nap time or in the evenings, and saved design work and social media for nursery days. Now he’s at school, I have more breathing room, but I still rely heavily on my weekly planner.

Proud Moments & Milestones

My first sale came the day after I opened. Yes, it was a friend of my husband’s—but a sale is a sale, and I was thrilled. Slowly, more orders came in. Some items even sold out quickly, and Christmas was absolutely wild in the best way.

Reviews rolled in, my social media grew, and the encouragement pushed me to keep creating and expanding my range of illustrations.

Tips for Others Wanting to Do the Same

Thinking of turning your hobby into a business? Do it. Seriously—give it a go.

Here’s what I’d suggest:

  • Research the market. Look at Etsy and other platforms. What’s already out there? What can you bring that’s unique?
  • Be patient. You won’t make millions overnight (if you do, please tell me your secrets).
  • Start small. Pick a handful of products to begin with and grow slowly.
  • Work for that first sale. It rarely just lands in your lap—you’ve got to promote, post, tweak, and test.
  • Embrace the learning curve. You’ll make mistakes, but they’re stepping stones, not setbacks.

Most importantly: you’re worth the effort. Really.

Conclusion

Since launching my shop in 2021, I’ve made over 2,000 sales and currently have 86 live listings. I never imagined getting this far, this fast—or that I’d be heading into my fourth year of trading. I owe so much of it to the support of my husband… and now my son wants to start selling his artwork too!

I’m excited to see where things go next. I’m hoping to expand into laser-cutting designs, and my husband has hinted that Santa might deliver a new machine (fingers crossed). I have also considered a little plushie collection for Valentine’s and Mother’s Day.

If you’d like to follow along with my journey, come join me on social media.

And tell me—what are you passionate about? Share in the comments below!

The Importance of Rest When You’re a One-Woman Business

by with No Comment Behind the ScenesPersonal Growth

I’m definitely one of those people who struggles to switch off. You know the type — the brain that decides bedtime is the perfect hour to track sales, plan the week, fix the world, and rethink every decision you’ve ever made. And when it’s a busy time of year or sales go a bit quiet, that mental hamster wheel spins even faster.

And if you’re a mum or parent on top of that? Well, then it’s double trouble. It’s hard enough trying to rest without remembering the Nativity costume that still needs sorting, or realising the PE kit is absolutely not ready for the after-school club on Monday. Because of course it isn’t.

So… how do we rest? And why do we even need it when our to-do list is already three miles long?
Let’s take a look.

Physical Benefits

We’ve all been there — the tired, achy shoulders, tension headaches, stiff neck, and the general “I’m too young to be creaking like this” vibe. Without proper rest, your body can’t repair or recover. And if you ignore the signs for long enough, your body will eventually slam on the brakes for you.

If you’re anything like me, and your day starts with the school run, followed by the walk back, and then a home workout (why do we do this to ourselves?), your body has already lived a full life before 10 am. And that’s before you even sit down to process orders. It’s no wonder our bodies need a chance to reset.

So why is resting beneficial?
Because rest is crucial for muscle recovery, it helps your body adapt, rebuild, and keep your immune system in top form — very handy when the kids bring home their weekly winter bug from school. And hey, the stronger you are, the more orders you can carry to the post office. Win-win.

Mental Benefits

You know those days when everything happens at once? Orders coming in. Stock levels dropping. A customer is messaging about a damaged item. And then — of course — the school is emailing again about another charity event, which means rummaging through the house for loose change like it’s a treasure hunt you never volunteered for.

When it piles up, your brain short-circuits a little. You forget things, you can’t think clearly, and your emotions start steering the ship. This is how we end up processing orders incorrectly, snapping at the nearest innocent bystander, or forgetting something important.

So why is resting beneficial?
A good night’s sleep (or a nap, if your little one still treats 3 am as social hour) helps your brain process and store everything from the day. It boosts clarity, allowing you to communicate better with customers. And regular rest keeps your mood steady, helping you tackle the daily family chaos with something resembling patience.

Prevent Burnout

And when you mix all of the above over a long stretch of time, you get the dreaded burnout.

Burnout looks different for everyone, but the usual signs are constant tiredness, zero enthusiasm, and imposter syndrome lurking like an uninvited guest. It makes running your small business and parenting feel impossible. Push it long enough, and it can even make you ill, which is your cue to step back and breathe.

So why is resting beneficial?
Because breaks reduce stress and help stop that overwhelmed feeling before it snowballs. Regular rest builds a more positive mindset and helps you recover from both mental and physical fatigue. Which means you can run your business with more joy… and maybe even survive the inevitable teeth-brushing tantrum

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, rest isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. Especially for those of us juggling school runs, small businesses, endless emails, and children who somehow generate more admin than a full-time job. Permitting yourself to slow down isn’t “slacking”; it’s making sure you can keep showing up as the parent, maker, creator, and all-around superhero you already are.

So take the nap. Say no when you need to. Step away from the orders for half an hour. Your body, your mind, and your business will thank you — and honestly, so will anyone within a five-metre radius of the next teeth-brushing tantrum.

Remember: a well-rested you is a better-equipped you. And you deserve that.

Please take a look at my other self-help posts on my blog or visit my Etsy store. Let me know what you think.

How I Plan My Product Launches (Without Losing My Mind)

by with One Comment Behind the ScenesStarting Up
Photo by Thomas Bormans on Unsplash

Product launches is a major part of running any product-based business. It can be exciting but nerve-racking.

So, how do you plan a product launch without losing your mind? Let me share with you my step-by-step guide to how I do it.

1. Design Work in Progress

Most of the time, I start with the design itself. It might be a quick sketch in my notebook, a rough layout on my tablet, or even an early concept on Adobe Illustrator.

I usually begin promoting at this stage too. Sharing early progress on social media helps build engagement and interest before the product is even finished. WIP Wednesday is perfect for this—it comes around most weeks, and it’s a great excuse to show what you’re working on.

People love seeing how things are made. Process breakdowns, time-lapse videos, messy sketches—social media eats that up. It’s a simple way to attract more eyes to your brand while giving potential customers a behind-the-scenes look.

2. Design Update/Teaser

As the design changes and evolves, I like to share updates. It’s another chance to showcase the creative process, and honestly, people enjoy seeing the transformation from sketch to final product.

Most of the time, I use the #WIPWednesday tag, but I never force daily updates—they’re not necessary and they just add pressure. Taking your time means you can refine the design properly without feeling rushed.

I also don’t set hard deadlines for my artwork. It keeps things calmer, more enjoyable, and ultimately gives me space to get things right. Testing designs on various products and sharing photos can also help customers imagine what they might want to buy.

3. Teaser

Once the design is refined and the product is ready, I share a little teaser—usually just a tiny snippet of the final piece. Often, it still has heat tape on it or is sitting next to the press, paired with a simple “coming soon…”

Adding a countdown can really help build excitement for release day. It gives people something to look forward to, and they’re more likely to return and place an order on launch day.

With my Witchy Cat design, there was so much early interest that I offered an early-access list with a special discount code. It wasn’t a huge list, but it was a great way to gauge the product’s potential popularity.

4. Final Release and Promo

And then we get to the final (slightly nerve-racking!) part: release day.

Your listing is live, your photos look great, your captions are ready—and it’s go time.

If you know when your audience is most active, try posting around that time to maximise your reach. I also like offering a small launch discount for a day or two to encourage those first sales.

Most importantly, share your creation proudly. You’ve put the work in—enjoy the moment!

Conclusion

Sometimes a product launch does not go to plan. It happens. Something you thought would be a good or even best seller ticks away quietly. It can be disheartening, especially after putting in so much time and effort into something you love.

However, don’t let that deter you!

Keep going. Get your designs out there and share them with the world. The small business community is amazing, and I have found so much support and cheerleaders who will support you for everything.

Well, I hope that gives you an idea of my thinking process when it comes to launching a new product. I have been doing this for nearly 4 years now, and I still get nervous about launching a new product or design.

It has its ups and downs. Some products receive an amazing response, while others elicit little to no response.

But to quote Chilli Heeler, “…Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going!”

What do you think?

Leave a comment below, or feel free to follow me on social media. Why not check out my other blog posts?

Until next time…

Top Mistakes I Made When Starting Sublimation Printing

by with No Comment Behind the ScenesPersonal Growth

It’s so easy to jump straight in and start doing things right away, especially when you’re excited and can’t wait to get going. I did the same!

After a few weeks, I found myself thinking, “Why did I do that?”, “Why didn’t I do that?”, and “Well, that wasn’t my smartest move.” So, let’s take a look at the mistakes I made when I first started with sublimation printing.

Rushing

It’s so tempting to rush into your first listing or sale — I did exactly that! The first thing I made went straight up, and now I look at it and think, “Really?”

When you’re starting with sublimation, take the time to refine your designs and get to know your process. It’s easy to jump in, but even easier to make mistakes — smudges, ghosting, faded prints, you name it.

I rushed a few designs and ended up wasting mugs and cringing at the results. So trust me — slow down, test things out, and get comfortable with your equipment. You’ll save time, money, and a lot of frustration later on.

Under Pricing

I honestly didn’t think I should be charging what I should have done at the beginning. I lost quite a bit of money in the first few months.

It’s not just the cost of materials; it’s the packing costs, the cost of time to print, press and parcel, it’s undervaluing your talent, and of course, Etsy’s charges take a cut of your sales.

Research others on Etsy or other market platforms and see what their pricing is. It can help you give a good idea of what your work should be pricing your work.

Lack of Prep for Christmas

I mean, oh my goodness! This was a big one. I thought people were crazy doing their Christmas planning in July. Did I learn a big lesson?

Christmas orders smacked me in the face hard in September, I ran out of stock for Binary Code mugs, LCARS wall plate and another Christmas, my Coffee Decoration.

I also left it too late to upload new designs and products, so they never got the views or sales they should have gotten. So make sure you start behind-the-scenes prep work early. And earlier than you think.

Incorrect Postage

I didn’t do my research — simple as that. I should’ve weighed my products, checked the postage costs on my carrier’s website, and added that to my pricing or listed it accurately.

Because I didn’t, I lost my very first mug sale to the USA when the shipping turned out to be way higher than I expected. It was an expensive lesson! So don’t guess the weight — grab your kitchen scales and get it right from the start.

Equipment I Didn’t Need

My husband bought me sublimation equipment for my birthday, and it came with loads of extras and add-ons that felt so exciting at the time. I had presses for baseball caps, plates, bowls — even ones for tapered products like travel cups.

Now, all of it just sits above my flat press — unused and untested. My husband thought it’d be handy to have “just in case,” but now it’s only taking up space. I wish I’d stuck with the two mug press sizes and a flat press, then added more later if I needed them.

So start with the essentials, and build up as you go. Otherwise, you might end up with expensive dust collectors sitting in the corner!

Conclusion

I hope that was insightful and helpful. It is daunting to start a small, creative business.

What are your top mistakes? Use the comment section below.

Until next time.

BlogHeader-3

5 Lessons My Kids Have Taught Me About Business

by with No Comment Behind the ScenesPersonal Growth
Photo by Ben Wicks on Unsplash

I started my small business in 2021 after having my son in 2020. I struggled to return to my contract job, particularly in finding a balance with childcare. Since then, I have grown not only as a mum but also as a small business owner. Let’s explore the five important lessons my son has taught me about running a business

1. Failures are a Part of the Journey

That moment when a child takes their first solo steps is unforgettable and becomes a cherished memory. However, the journey to that moment is filled with ups and downs—lots of falls, frustration, and tears. Running a small business is very similar.

Operating a small business from home is rarely smooth sailing. There are tantrums over technology failures, frustration when a design doesn’t come together, and tears when Royal Mail loses your package. Yet, the final results will make all the challenges worthwhile.

2. Play is Important

For kids, there is no yesterday or tomorrow—only the present. They exist in the moment, which is often filled with intense activities like car racing or flying planes (I have a boy, so I don’t get to play with ponies). In the world of business, taking breaks is crucial.

It’s easy to experience burnout, especially when you focus on all the tasks you need to complete tomorrow or when you think about things from yesterday that you need to address today. However, taking time to be present is essential. Whether it’s driving Lightning McQueen around on the carpet or simply sitting outside with a book, carving out time for yourself is important

3. Show Everyone What You Have Done

There is a special kind of pride that little ones exhibit when they run up to show you a picture they’ve created. Even if it’s just a brown blob on a piece of paper, they present it with confidence, and you can’t help but agree that it is indeed the most amazing piece of art ever made. This sentiment applies just as much to running a business, particularly a creative one.

Sharing something you’ve poured your heart and soul into can be daunting. The fear of facing rejection or being overlooked can trigger significant anxiety. But you should go for it! Present your work to the world and take pride in what you’ve accomplished. Someone will appreciate it, and then another, and another. Stand tall with a big smile and say, “Look at me! Look at what I created!”

4. Negotiation

Anyone with a toddler or a teenager will understand this struggle. My negotiating skills are truly tested when my son tries to convince you that they need to go headfirst down a slide, and you have to negotiate a safer way to play.

These skills can be quite helpful in business, especially when dealing with customers. Whether they are negotiating a discount for a wholesale order or requesting a custom design, it’s important to remember that customers are not as tough to negotiate with as a 5-year-old trying to get a new toy car.

5. Nap Time is for Babies

This made me laugh. When my son turned two, he boldly declared that naps are for babies. As a result, he started resisting naps at home, although he did take nice naps at nursery.

I’m not one of those people who believe that “you snooze, you lose.” That idea is nonsense. Resting doesn’t make you a loser; in fact, it’s quite the opposite.

However, not promoting your brand, failing to post regularly, and neglecting to update your listings can make it seem like your store is on “nap time.” To keep everything active and attract customers, stay on top of social media, update your listings frequently, and refresh your tags for SEO. This will help wake everything up and draw in more customers.

Many thanks for taking the time to read my blog. What lessons have your kids taught you? Please feel free to leave a comment below.

You can also follow me on social media.

Until next time… keep shopping small.

BlogHeader-2

Behind the Scenes: How I Design and Print My Autumn Collection

by with No Comment Behind the Scenes
Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

Autumn is now in full swing. It’s the time to get cosy and warm at home as the rain gently taps the window.

You can probably guess that this is my favourite time of year. I find Autumn more inspiring and creative than I do spring or even summer. And I think that is reflected in my Autumn Collection.

I added some new products a few weeks ago, which you can view here. But let’s take a look at my creative process behind the designs.

Inspiration

Inspiration can come from anywhere. Most of my inspiration comes from when I am being creative myself. I like to switch off and do some digital design or a mindless doodle, and sometimes an idea arrives and I note it down in my notebook or in my phone if I am out and about.

But what I really like to do is scroll through Pinterest looking at colour palettes, or finding some funny sayings or puns. I avoid looking at other people’s artwork as that could lead to copying, and that is something that I would like to avoid. (Obviously, a like on that pin is a bonus to that artist) And AI image generation is also a big no-no.

Autumn is great for colour. You have so many warming oranges, cheery yellows and fiery reds to inspire.

A screenshot of some colour palettes on my Pinterest

Framework

This is when the sketchbook or notebook comes out. This is the point where I start to gather in reference images (if needed), the colours, and start planning which product this design would be pressed onto.

Now is the time to begin the early sketch. The basic shapes and positioning are the main focus. Detail comes later, keeping in mind how this design will sit on the sublimation products.

I like to have references; it helps keep me focused and ensures proportions are correct, as well as helps with poses. Definitely needed for my Cat tote bag. Nothing beats curling up in your big autumn jumper, with a hot drink and drawing a peaceful Autumn vibes image.

Using colour palette for a design.

Creation

Time to refine and build up the details. Once I was happy with the final drawing or digital design, it was time to put it into Photoshop to resize and define the image to fit onto the product. I would also sometimes tweak the colour slightly, as it does come out dull in the sublimation printer, but once pressed, it is very vivid, and some colour enhancement can really help the colour pop.

The final step is to use the heat press on your test product. This can be quite a nerve-wrecking part of the process, as I have already put in so much time and effort on these designs, it can be disheartening when it doesn’t come out as you had hoped.

I have to say, orange is one of the best colours to see after a press is one of the best things about doing sublimation because it just gives an immediate warmth.

And now it’s ready to upload to Etsy

Many thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I hope this has been a helpful insight into my creative process. Please feel free to leave a comment below.

You can also follow me on social media.

Until next time…keep shopping small

Why Supporting Small Businesses Matters More Than Ever

by with No Comment Behind the Scenes
Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash

Well, 2025 has been a year.

And we all thought the COVID Pandemic was a tough time. It’s certainly not been the best year for me since I started running my small business back in 2021.

It’s essential now more than ever to understand the importance of supporting small businesses.

GPSR

General Product Safety Regulation. This did technically start in December 2024, but it certainly had a sales impact for this year.

In a nutshell, the GPSR is an EU regulation surrounding the safety of products being sold into the EU. The big thing is that it is a requirement to have an EU-based representative, as well as a whole load of paperwork and various other things.

As I can’t afford a certified EU-based representative, I had to stop selling to the EU. Many other UK-based businesses have had to stop selling to EU member countries.

I have been working hard to expand my UK and other non-EU-based customer base. And sadly, I have seen many businesses close their virtual and real doors because they have lost so much to this regulation. So when shopping, pop into that local shop, chat to someone at a Christmas market about their business, and show them support on social media.

This helps small businesses be seen by more people and potential customers. It really does make a difference.

Cost of Living

This has hit everyone. The cost of the basics is at its highest, and the cost of materials has made businesses increase their costs, making even the smallest of gifts seem pricey.

This has led to people to be more conscious of their spending, resulting in fewer visitors to websites and marketplaces.

As you can see from the graphs below, which were posted by eRank, there has been a decline in visitor numbers to these marketplaces. And not just Etsy. Amazon and eBay have seen the same trend

It really is sad to see these numbers, with Christmas approaching, these numbers should start to go up. So make sure you support your local business for the holiday season. Your support will be greatly appreciated compared to bigger-name brands.

USA Tariffs

Now this has been a rollercoaster. You can read it in detail in my USA Tariff blog post here.

The amount of changes and uncertainty surrounding these tariffs has made American customers less likely to purchase. And sellers have been struggling to keep up with all the changes, so they have either decided to stop selling to the USA or they have incurred a loss due to the confusing way these tariffs work.

Like many others, it has prompted me to refocus on making more sales in the UK. I have applied to Faire so I can start offering my products at wholesale prices. My application is still pending, so it doesn’t look like I will be set up in time for Christmas. Please consider a UK small business first when doing your Christmas shopping. Whether it’s at a market or via a line shop, you would be helping an unsung part of the economy survive this Christmas.

Jeff Bezos won’t be doing a happy dance when you purchase from Amazon. But small businesses would be jumping for joy and doing everything they can to make your experience with them one to remember.

With the Christmas season fast approaching, please consider a small business first for a gift. I think you would be surprised by the amazing and unique gifts out there, and you would be able to find something for everyone. Even that one person who is hard to shop for.

You really could make someone’s Christmas this year. When you buy from a small business, you are not helping a CEO buy a yacht, but someone who will be able to pay for school uniforms, family days out, and a Sunday roast.

Many thanks for taking the time to read my blog. If you want to give a shout-out to a small business or just want to leave a comment, then please use the comments section below

You can also follow me on social media.

Until next time…keep shopping small

The Juggle Is Real: Balancing Mum Life and Business Life

by with No Comment Behind the Scenes
Photo by Vitolda Klein on Unsplash

Achieving a work-life balance is tough. And even tougher when you’re a parent juggling everything.

As a working mum to a little boy, to me it is important to have flexible working hours so I can to spend time with him. It’s a tough balancing act, and it’s something I have learned over time but continue to learn.

There is no defined way to juggle it all. But below are some insights on what has worked for me.

Time Management

I am one of those people who plans. I did it during my studies at school and university. Using a diary, I would block out time slots for specific subjects, breaks, class schedule, etc. I also did it when I was employed; my Google Calendar was the most colourful in the office.

But it’s a whole new level when you have a little one. They have no schedule!

Especially when they start fighting naps. When I started Panda Motion Designs, I would put my son down for a nap and get on with processing orders. But then he began to drop the naps, and it all went out the window. It is a real struggle to plan when you have a toddler who won’t sit still.

I ended up planning the bulk of what I needed to do in the 2 days he attended Nursery. That way, I could really focus on the business and free up the time to spend with my toddler.

Now that he is in school, I have more time to work on my business, but still under a time restriction. I got a weekly planner for Christmas, and it has been great. I could plan out what I needed to do for the week and tick them off as I go along (There is no feeling like it when you cross something off your to-do list).

Having a diary or weekly planner has really been the key tool for me for time management

There are plenty of downloadable weekly planners on Etsy, but I do recommend MumBossDigital. She has some lovely digital products to help you with your time management.

Unplug

Time to unplug. This is especially tough when your entire business is online and you are on social media and responding to messages, etc.

I did struggle with this the most. And still do now and again. But when I first opened up my Etsy store, I was constantly refreshing my Etsy stats and was not present with my little boy; he expressed this lack of attention with crying and tantrums. I ended up putting my phone out of arm’s reach when I was on the floor playing with him. Phones are addictive, so it may seem impossible to unplug from your digital life, but it is achievable by making small steps.

Unplugging as a parent is important, too. I used to read a lot on the train during the commute to London, and I missed that, so I started reading again. Take up some creative hobbies, I have done cross-stitch and had a go at knitting (need to start again, had to take a break as it was getting frustrating), I also love to bake and draw regularly. It all helped me anchor myself and feel more like me again.

Serenity Growth’s social media is lovely and has some lovely, supportive posts to help unplug and anchor yourself in beautiful ways.

Time to Yourself

It is so easy to burn out these days, let alone being a parent and running a small business. So, it is important to focus on yourself.

One day a week, I use it as a self-care day. I do what I want to do all day. Whether that’s giving myself a pamper, playing couch potato all day, or baking. Whatever it is that day is for me. And during the school holidays, my husband will take my son out for a day and leave me in a peaceful house.

If it is just for an hour, or a whole day, or a night out with your mates, make sure to give yourself some self-care. It really helps me clear my mind and refocus again as a mum, wife and business owner.

Positivi-Tea has some lovely self-care hampers to treat yourself or someone else with.

Well, I hope that was helpful. I want to reiterate that these insights have been effective for me, and they may not work the same way for everyone. I hope that this blog has given you something to think about and how you can implement some of these ideas into your daily life.

It can be a lonely world as a parent and small business owner. But know that you are not alone, and you are fantastic, and you can do this.

Feel free to reach out to me via my social media pages or comment below.

Until next time, stay brilliant.

BlogHeader

IMPORTANT SHIPPING UPDATE: USA Tariff Charges – September 2025

by with No Comment Behind the Scenes

Hello All.

It’s been a busy few months here with new product launches and navigating my first school summer holidays (I survived). I am now getting back into updating my blog and website.

Sadly, the latest post is not a positive one. But it’s a very important update that I need to write.

This is a follow-up on my previous blog post on the USA Tariffs.

Overview

Earlier this year, the Tangerine Tyrant imposed tariffs on various products and countries. It caused chaos, confusion and anger among many people. Especially small businesses that wouldn’t know if their products would receive extra charges or not when entering the USA.

At the time, the “De Minimus” was still in place. It allowed products under a certain value from anywhere in the world to enter the USA without extra charges. China was removed from De Minimus a few months later. For a while, customers in the USA were reluctant to make online purchases in case they received extra charges. But thankfully, that picked up again as the year went on.

However—

On the 30th July 2025, the “President” of the United States announced the removal of De Minimus. This was to take effect on August 29th 2025.

Now we all waited to see if he did one of his famous TACO manoeuvres, but sadly, no. It went into effect on the 29th of August as promised. This now means that ALL products entering the USA, despite cost and country of origin, will be charged extra customs fees.

What is De Minimus?

De Minimus is basically legal wording to describe something too trivial to worry about. In this case, cheap products are not worth taxing or worth considering taxing because it would be too much money and time to do.

Most countries have this in place. For the UK, anything under £150 is exempt from customs charges. For the USA, anything under $800 wouldn’t be taxed or have additional customs charges. That is no longer the case.

What Happens Now?

For the Cheeto President to keep his promise that exporters will be charged the tariffs, not the customer, tariff charges must be prepaid before the product can leave the country. If a product arrives in the USA without the tariff being prepaid, it could be rejected and returned at the seller’s expense, destroyed or sold at auction.

As a result, sellers have had to increase their prices to cover these charges. Mostly in the shipping costs, which is what I have done for my cheapest products.

I do have to give Royal Mail credit here; they did a huge amount of work to set up the ability for anyone in the UK to be able to pre-pay the tariffs, and in just under a month, too. Some other postage companies had to stop sending to the USA completely (unless it was a gift), Royal Mail only paused shipping to the USA for 48 hours and then came back up.

There were some teething issues, but I think they have been mostly rectified.

So yes, I am open again to selling my cheapest items to the USA, but with a huge increase in postage costs.

How is it calculated?

I hate maths. It’s bad enough I have to do math for my taxes each year, but this was a whole new level of brain pain.

As I am UK-based, some of my products are only charged at 10%. However, as some of my other products originate in China, I will have to charge 30% on these products.

But why? If you make it in the UK then surely the UK tariff stands? No

According to the rules as set by the current US government, simply placing an image onto a product does not qualify it enough to be “UK Made”. If I imported the sheets of aluminium, cut them myself for my bookmarks and wall art, and then added the sublimation covering, then added my design onto it. Only THEN can I mark it as UK Made. But since I am a single person running a business out of my home and not a factory, that’s not an option.

So, here is my pricing breakdown: Price of item + 30%/10% tariff fees + tracked postage + Etsy fees + Royal Mail processing fees = New cost for USA customers.

Why not just charge the 10% tariff? How would they know?

Sorry. Not risking committing fraud for a few pounds.

And I know some of my products have been opened and checked by customs. I have had a couple of USA customers contact me because their package has been opened, and the item is either missing or damaged (thou why send just an empty envelope is a bit confusing to me). And a few products do say “made in China” on them. I’m just going to risk it.

And I am also not risking marking them as “gift” for the same reasons as above. They are checking items at customs.

How Is it charged?

For the time being, I am charging the tariff fees via shipping costs. Etsy is currently working on creating a country-based pricing system so it’s easier to manage (as well as avoiding paying them more fees), but that will be months away, so for now it’s in the cost of delivery.

Conclusion

I have yet to make a USA sale since the De Minimus ended. And looking at the costs. I am not surprised.

I lost the ability to sell to EU countries last December, and now it seems the USA is almost impossible to sell to. Another nail in the coffin for small independent businesses.

I love seeing how everyone says how great small businesses are to the economy, but then makes it near enough impossible to actually make sales.

If you are based in the UK or outside the USA, or outside the EU. Please consider buying from a small/independent business this Christmas. We are all suffering, and some have already closed shop.

Support small this Christmas.

Thank you for visiting my website to read my blog, make a purchase, or follow me on social media. Your support is greatly appreciated in whatever form.

If you have any questions, please use the comment section below or one of my social media channels. If you have any ideas or feedback, please share them in the comments below.

Until Next Time…

Untitled38_20250516160639

The Many Hats of a Mum and Small Business Owner

by with No Comment Behind the Scenes

Running a Small Business is No Small Feat

And it can be hard to juggle that and be a parent. So, for fun, I drew up an infographic of most of the hats I have to wear daily.

It may be hard, and sometimes you have to wear multiple hats at the same time, but it is worth it when that sale comes in while I collect my son from school.

Conclusion

Which hat is your favourite? Do you agree with it? Did I miss something?

Let me know in the comments below.