Apparently I’m Not Busy Enough…

Ha! That’s so far from the truth and it’s not quite April Fool’s Day yet! Being my usual self, I have continued to pile more and more on my plate, full-time job, full-time MBA program, full-time fiancée, and when-I-have-time, a side business…but that just wasn’t enough for me. Oh no. I’ve gone and bitten off another huge piece to chew.

I’ve been having SOOOO much fun planning and making things for the wedding that I think I’ve finally found the perfect niche for my business. (For those of you who don’t know, I’ve owned and operated Etched in Time Engraving, a laser engraving & personalized gift business since 2004. I’d include a link to the website but as my life got busier I had to list the site as "under maintenance" and put off orders because I couldn’t keep up with everything.) I absolutely love laser engraving and I love that I can do about a million different things with my engraver and other equipment. The problem has always been that in fact, I tried to do a million different things because I could. Not a good idea if you want to maintain a *profitable* small business. At least I had fun and broke even if nothing else.

When I started planning for the wedding I thought about all the fun things I could make for the wedding. As we flipped through page after page of the same boring invitations I kept thinking, I want something different, something fun, and I can make something better than what’s in the catalogs for a lot less. Somehow it hit me that I could make some really unique and upscale invitations with equipment I already had. (I can’t wait to send them to everyone!) I started showing people and my wedding coordinator said "Those are WONDERFUL. You could sell those you know." Indeed the thought had crossed my mind. But, I’m too busy for that I told myself, maybe later.

As time went on I talked about the idea with Andy and he’s fully supportive and thinks it’s the best business idea I’ve had yet, aside from my lack of time at the moment. I posted a few photos online on some wedding forums and got a really positive response. I tossed out the idea of designing and selling custom invitations for other brides and well….I’m now working with 7 girls across the country from California to Canada designing their dream invitations!! (Not to worry, they are 2009 brides so I do have time!)

I am SOOO excited about this and I’m having a lot of fun. My only problem is finding another 8 hours in my day.

It’s going to be a slow process for awhile, but I’ve got a tiny website/blog started. I will be posting photos and virtual samples of designs I’ve created when I find more time (ha ha!)

So…if you know anyone in the market for 2009 or later :::wink, wink, nudge, nudge::: Send ‘em my way!