Thursday Press #16: I only made $18 in my first business
[10 FEB 2022] Here's what I learned!
I MADE $18 IN MY FIRST BUSINESS VENTURE
Granted, I was only 5, and that “business” was a lemonade and cookie stand in our driveway. 🍋🍪
But for a lemonade stand in 2002, I'm calling that a win!
It's fair to say I've always been entrepreneurial, so when I saw a stuffed dog at the toy store I wanted, I hatched this pop-up concessions stand plan with my parents.
My key marketing component was a hand-painted sign reading “Lemonade and Cookies Here!”
Look at that phrase up there. Do you see how many “e”s are in it?
Here's something I'm ashamed to admit – I struggled with my rights and lefts for a while, and 5-year-old me certainly hadn't gotten it down pat, so this sign presented a number of challenges for me.
🎨 When I was holding my chunky, toddler-approved paintbrush covered in bright blue acrylic paint, I hovered over the poster board for minutes, my dad coaching me on the right way to draw every “e” so it faced the right way.
I agonized over the decision, and when I stepped back from completing my squiggly stroke…
The “e” was backward. 😫
After all that time and consideration, I'd still messed up.
As the little burgeoning perfectionist that I was, that mistake definitely hurt, but there was no going back.
I've learned two things from this experience:
1. Take Messy Action
You never know how things are going to turn out until you put paintbrush to poster board, and that time spent wondering what the right thing to do is will only delay the outcome, whatever it may be.
2. Try, Try Again
Almost 20 years later, I'm proud to say that I write my “e”s the right way 99.9% of the time (even though I still get confused with lefts and rights sometimes). The first time you set out to market your business isn't going to be a guaranteed, sold-out launch, 6-figure month success. Build on each action you take, learn from the outcome, experiment, and try again!
I'm constantly saying that Pinterest is a bit of an experiment. We're throwing (strategically-created) content spaghetti 🍝 at the walls, finding what sticks, and then cooking up that kind of noodle (content) again and again, reiterating what works and workshopping what doesn't.
Don't be afraid to get messy, make mistakes, and try again. Even the biggest failures can teach you something.
Hi, I’m Sarah — Pinterest marketer, former local journalist, and professional oversharer. Thanks for reading this edition of the Thursday Press! If you’re a fan of stories that turn into strategic Pinterest marketing tips, way-too-honest insights into online entrepreneurship, and the occasional cat picture, you’re in the right place.
Want more of what you’re seeing? Here’s how we can connect:
Check out my services. Whether you’re looking for Pinterest management or a helping hand to get started, I offer Pinterest marketing services for creative entrepreneurs who want to go from feeling good about their business to feeling ahmazing.
Read the marketing blog. Like your favorite lifestyle mag, but with more Pinterest tips, my blog is your go-to source for all things Pinterest marketing, content strategy, and human-first business ownership.
Grab your free Pinterest roadmap. Set up and optimize your own Pinterest business account so you’re ready to grow your business using Pinterest!
Browse my favorite business resources. From homegrown freebies to shoppable marketing products and my favorite business tools and apps, everything I use to run my business is right here!