Running a business means learning as you go, but wow, I’ve learned some big lessons the hard way. I hope sharing these mistakes helps you skip a few of the potholes I hit when I was getting started (and even some I still trip into now and then). 

💡Just starting your creative biz? Scroll down and get our Start Smart worksheet to get started the right way!

1. I Didn’t Factor in All My Costs (Or Value My Time) 💸

When I first launched Page’s Peaches, I priced things way too low. I didn’t account for:

• 🎁 Packaging costs

• 📦 Shipping materials

• 💼 Labor

• 🧾 Fees

• ⌛ Time (!!!)

I convinced myself I didn’t need to make much profit. But the truth? You need good margins to stay sustainable and grow. I finally learned to build in profit for wholesale, and it changed everything. Now I price for growth, not just for survival.

2. I Didn’t Know How to Manage Cash Flow 💰

For years, I was just selling because it made me happy (and it did make me happy!). But I had no clue how to manage my cash flow.

My early philosophy was: If I’m going to need it sometime this year, I should buy it now. Spoiler: That’s not sustainable. Now I think about when I’ll need something, not just if I’ll need it. You can’t have all your money tied up in supplies you won’t use for 10 months.

3. I Made Big Inventory Decisions Without Testing First 📦

Biggest flop of all time? I ordered 1,600 custom pasties. I thought they’d be fun, different, maybe even great for certain shows. But they didn’t move. Worse? I ordered more designs before the first ones even sold.

Lesson: Test your products first. When I tried pill cases, cigarette cases, and nail clippers, I only invested small. The pill and cigarette cases took off. Nail clippers flopped, but I didn’t lose money because I hadn’t ordered 1,000 of them.

4. I Paid Too Much for the Wrong Shows 🎪

One of my first craft shows cost a few hundred dollars. The audience? All elderly shoppers who didn’t even know what a sticker was.

And all I had was stickers.

Now I:

• ✅ Diversify my booth with high-performing items

• ✅ Research the show audience before I apply

• ✅ Think about price point variety

That first loss stung, but it taught me to vet events more carefully.

5. I Let My Branding Stay “Safe” Too Long 🖌️

When I started, I went by Hadley Page Designs. It was fine, but not memorable. The peach logo was always there, but the brand itself didn’t pop until I rebranded as Page’s Peaches. That’s when I leaned into bold colors, cheeky copy, and a strong visual identity.

Lesson: Don’t be afraid to evolve. The first version of your brand probably won’t be the last.

6. I Burned Myself Out (Over and Over Again) 🔥

When you love your business, it’s easy to blur the lines between work and life. I used to stay in the studio until well past midnight. That eventually led to burnout.

Now I try to treat it like a job. Even if it’s creative, I give myself structured hours. You can’t pour from an empty cup, even if that cup is shaped like a peach.

7. I Didn’t Test Packaging Properly 📦

Another inventory regret: I bought 10,000 custom eco-friendly pin sleeves only to realize my enamel pins broke through the backs. Now I have thousands of unusable sleeves taking up space.

Moral of the story? Always test your packaging before you order in bulk.

What I Know Now: 🧠

• ✅ Use your data (I rely on Shopify analytics all the time)

• ✅ Give your customers a great experience so they keep coming back

• ✅ Treat your creative work like real work

• ✅ And never buy 1,600 of anything unless you know it’ll sell.

Want to avoid these mistakes? 🙌

Download my free “Start Smart” Business Worksheet to help you:

• 📊 Set your pricing right

• 🚫 Avoid inventory flops

• 🎨 Build a brand people remember

• 🤝 Create customer experiences that turn into loyalty