Courage, Connection, and the Heart Behind My Small Business
Feeling discouraged as a new Etsy seller, I learned the power of reaching out and leaning on the friends who have been there for me. In this post, I share how small acts of support, courage, and connection have shaped both my personal journey and my handmade bracelet business.
11/23/20251 min read
The last few days, I felt discouraged. Despite consistently publishing new listings on Etsy every night, my store traffic stayed at zero. I wasn’t seeing any changes, and it was hard not to feel like I was spinning my wheels.
This morning, I finally gathered the courage to reach out to a few close friends and ask if they could support my Etsy shop. As a naturally shy person, this was not easy. I don’t have a large circle of friends, and I’ve never been very active on social media, so asking for help felt uncomfortable.
But the friends I do have been in my life for years, and they didn’t hesitate. Even when I only asked them to “favorite” my shop, they told me they would happily buy my products if they could. I was deeply touched.
This experience reminded me of something fundamental to my brand: relationships matter. Life can feel lonely, and the journey of running a small business is often isolating. Yet when you reach out, the right people will be there. Emotional support, encouragement, and small acts of kindness can help us navigate life’s challenges.
For first-generation immigrants like me, this is especially true. Many of our extended families are overseas, so the friends we build in our new home often become our extended family. We listen to each other, help each other, and create a community that sustains us.
Running this small business has taught me courage, humility, and the value of connection. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak — it strengthens your relationships and, in turn, the foundation of your brand.