Highlighting Small Businesses: Bridg Shop
- frontpageinitiative
- Aug 14, 2021
- 3 min read
1) Tell us about your small business!
Bridg Shop (@bridgshop) is an online small business that specializes in gold plated handmade jewelry. All of our jewelry is released in themed updates, from cottagecore inspired to celestial themes. We love to create a world behind our art.
2) How did you come up with your small business idea?
Bridg Shop was a long time aspiration. I started making jewelry at a very young age, and I had never really planned on making it into a business, until I started selling on Depop in 2020. When the pandemic hit, I was newly graduated with a certificate in an industry that was shut down entirely. On a whim I started my business with $100, and it’s been uphill ever since.
3) What are some struggles that you face during the COVID-19 pandemic? How have you overcome those?
The struggles we’ve faced during the pandemic haven’t been all too many, I would have to say that the biggest struggle is mostly emotional. I own and run my business alone, and some days I just really need a little time for myself. I think we’ve all somewhat been mentally/emotionally impacted by the pandemic, and having a full-time self-employed job where you’re home all the time can sometimes get to you.
4) If you are a student, do you find it difficult to balance school and business-owning? If you have a full-time/part-time job (that is not this job), do you find it difficult to balance work and business-owning?
I have a part-time job with my family’s business, and while it’s only a couple days out of my week, it can get really hard to balance everything. Especially in the growing stages of my small business. However, I think most small business owners can agree that they find it hard to find a balance between work life and personal life. There’s a very fine line, and it’s so easily crossed. But it’s all so very worth the hard work.
5) If you could re-start this process from the beginning, what do you wish you could have done differently?
If I could start over, I think I would just tell myself to not be afraid of the business side of owning a small business. There’s not a lot of accessible resources out there for first time small business owners out there, and it’s incredibly intimidating to someone that doesn’t understand business or legal language. I would also tell myself to please go to bed before 3am. There is always tomorrow, and there is only one you, so try to take care of yourself first.
6) What advice can you give to future small business owners?
Advice that I would give to future business owners is, don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Worrying if someone will buy from you, is such a nerve wracking experience. This just comes with the territory. Some days your store sells out, and some days you’ll have some items that will never sell. The most important part is how you react to that. Move on to the next thought and idea that you have. You never know what will work unless you try it. Don’t compare yourself to bigger businesses, especially not big franchises. Work with what you have, and be kind to yourself. There is always room to grow, and there’s something incredibly beautiful and personal to small businesses that big businesses will never be able to replicate. Lastly, I would say to put yourself first. Pulling all nighters, or overworking yourself will not help your small business. It’s a fast and guaranteed way to burn out your creativity and drive. Give yourself the space and nourishment that you need and everything else will come into place.
Published July 21, 2021
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