If you had talked to me about six months ago and asked about my product lineup, I would have been incredibly adamant.
"We are only doing fine art prints and plantable greeting cards for our stores. Period. End of discussion." (I am underlining this and putting it in bold because that how adamant I was.)
I was determined to protect my boundaries, our remote work team structure, and my mental & physical health. I had cut back on business travel tremendously to focus on life balance, and in my head, keeping the product line strictly limited was the only way to maintain the peace.
But business—much like life—has a funny way of laughing at your strict parameters.
Listening to Y'all (Even When I Was Stubborn)
Despite my self-imposed rules, the requests kept coming. And coming. “When are the notecards coming back?” “Can we get notecards?” (P.S. They're now back)
For months, I resisted. But with the nudge of some amazing folks in my close circle and from my customers, I stopped looking at the requests as an obstacle and started looking at it as a gift. My community was literally telling me what they wanted. So, we figured out a way to make it work without sacrificing the peace I’ve worked so hard to build.
And when we finally launched them? Y’all absolutely showed up. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I am so incredibly thankful that you kept asking, kept pushing, and supported this release so fiercely.
Finding My Footing (and My Confidence)
If I’m being completely honest, confidence is something I often struggle with. But hitting the 5-year mark in this business and slowing coming out of the other side of this business pivot has helped me, a lot. I’ve learned so many lessons and I see them as a gift to help me rebuilt better. I feel a sense of peace and confidence about the future that is entirely new to me.
It reminds me a lot of this summer with my family. We’ve been spending every spare moment at the pool, and watching my son, Caedon, learn to swim has been the absolute best. Once you trust the water, you realize you’re floating. You're moving forward.
I’m finally trusting the water.
What’s Happening Behind the Scenes
I’m currently working on a new nursery series. Usually, I dive straight into a project with very little color palette testing or sketchbook prep. But for this collection, I want it to be different—I’m aiming to create coordinating wallpaper and maybe even textiles. So because I’m not running on fumes anymore, I am actually taking the time to slow down, sketch, experiment, and do the pre-work this collection deserves. It feels so grounding to create from a place of abundance rather than rush.
So how am I exactly? I’m excited, a little nervous, and ready for what's next. (Though, let’s be real, I still wish I had more hours in the day. My to-do list is.....dang. Massive.)
Thank you for being here, for buying the notecards, and for allowing this business—and me—to grow into something more flexible, peaceful, and joyful.
Much love to you.
Amanda