Rise Up Designs

One of the things you get used to when you run a small business is feedback. It comes from everywhere — customers, friends, family, people at craft fairs, people who see something online. And honestly, most of the time it comes from a good place. People want to help. But if you’ve ever tested a product idea with different people, you know what usually happens. One person will say, “I love it!” Another person will say, “It’s nice, but I’d change this.” Someone else will say, “I like it… but I’d remove that.” And suddenly you’re sitting there thinking, Okay… so what exactly am I supposed to do with all of this? Feedback can be incredibly helpful, but it can also be a little exhausting if you let every opinion pull you in a different direction. What I’ve learned is this: feedback is information, not instruction. Just because someone suggests something doesn’t mean you have to implement it. But it does give you insight. It shows you how people see your work, what catches their at...

  One of the things I’ve been thinking a lot about lately is the experience behind a gift. For a while, my shop focused mainly on individual items — cups, wraps, and other pieces people could purchase on their own. And those are still a big part of what I do. But lately, I’ve been experimenting with something new. Instead of just selling a single item, I’ve been asking myself: How can I turn this into a whole experience for someone? Because the truth is, most of the time when people are buying something from a small shop, they’re buying it for someone else. It’s a birthday gift, a thoughtful surprise, a little something for a friend, or a “just because” moment. So this year I’ve been stretching a little creatively. One thing I’ve been testing is notebooks with custom designs, pairing them with matching glass cups to create a ready-to-gift bundle. Something that someone could pick up and immediately think, This is perfect. I’ve also been experimenting with a few other ideas:...

  Last week I shared about hitting one year in business. And with a full year under my belt, I’ve started noticing something really important: Patterns matter. When you’ve been in business long enough to see your busy months and your slower months, you stop reacting… and you start preparing. Whether you’re on Etsy, Shopify, Square, doing manual tracking, selling at craft fairs, or running an online shop — the data is there. You just have to pay attention to it. For me, February was slower than January this year. Still grateful for every sale. Still moving. Just… slower. And instead of panicking, I prepared. That slower month gave me space to: Prep inventory Test new products Organize bundles Get ready for my first craft fair in March That’s the shift. Slow doesn’t mean failing. Slow can mean building. When you start recognizing your own rhythms — seasonal shifts, market cycles, customer behavior — you can move with them instead of fighting them. Busy months are fo...

On February 12, I quietly celebrated one full year on Etsy. One year of listings. One year of late-night packing sessions. One year of figuring it out as I go. One year of truly stepping into my business. And I’ve learned a lot. Not the flashy, viral-growth kind of lessons. The steady, grounded kind. The kind you only learn by doing. 1. Stay in Your Lane If you start a business, especially a creative one, everyone will have advice. “Try this.” “You should sell that.” “Have you thought about adding…?” “You’d make more money if…” And listen — most of it comes from a good place. People mean well. But here’s what I’ve learned: You don’t have to make everything. Just because something sells doesn’t mean it’s yours to sell. Just because someone else is successful doing it doesn’t mean it belongs in your shop. There were ideas I chose not to pursue — not because they weren’t good, but because they weren’t me. And that clarity matters. Your lane is powerful when you stay in i...

It’s  been a minute since I’ve posted a Sippin’ Sunday—and if I’m being honest, the break was needed. Between writing my book, diving back into the groove at work, and juggling all the things, Sundays just came and went. But today? We sip and we share. I’m excited to get back into it—especially because there’s so much good stuff happening. My Etsy shop is growing in new ways, and I’ve been experimenting with some fun ideas I can’t wait  💡 Notebook Wraps – Yep, you read that right! I’m testing out wraps designed just for notebooks, and the testers are looking really promising. 🎁 Bundle Sets – Think matching notebooks and tumblers, wrapped and ready as thoughtful gift sets. 📚 Blind Date with a Book – This idea has me really excited. I’m brainstorming how to bring this concept to life at my March Easter Market—a little mystery, a little magic, and a lot of heart. Even though I haven’t been posting here, the creative wheels have definitely been turning. Sometimes stepping...

It’s  the Sunday after the first full week of the new year—and I’m feeling calm, grateful, and ready. Things have definitely slowed down since the holiday hustle, but I’ve been easing into the year in the best way possible. Orders are still coming in steadily (not at November/December pace, but still moving!), and I’ve already started rolling out new products for 2026. That alone feels like a little victory. This week wasn’t about fireworks—it was about the foundation: Reorganizing inventory Restocking essentials Making sure my printer, labels, envelopes, and supplies are all in check Getting my system back in rhythm after the whirlwind It’s not glamorous work, but it’s the kind of behind-the-scenes stuff that sets the tone for the months ahead. And I’ve realized: January isn’t about rushing. It’s about preparing. It’s a reminder that quiet momentum still counts. That checking off the small stuff matters. And that slow, steady steps often lead to the biggest growth. So h...