Why giving up should not be an option

I started an e-commerce business with no revenue so far and it’s taught me a lot

Getting started

We‘ve all been there.

You‘ve started something you love and adore. Maybe writing or an e-commerce business.

You spend the weekend logging hours on the internet and watching youtube into the night.

You are thrilled to find a guy, who knows the deal. He puts in a lot of effort to show you how to get started.

You‘re super motivated and ready for this new challenge.

You set up the website, log into the sales business, get your first design out there, start up an Instagram page to promote sales, design more cool logos, get a mockup online to place your t-shirt design and even run the first promotion.

You think to yourself:

„This is it, I‘m ready for the change. Soon I‘ll be getting that extra cash I‘ve always wanted. The guy on Youtube made it sound so easy! I‘ll wait a few days and then, surely, then I‘ll be getting my first T-shirt sales. Once the first ones are in more and more people will be wanting my shirts, right? Surely it can‘t be that hard.“

Right?

Reality kicks in

Nope. It is tough. It‘s a really tough one.

A week later your sales might look like mine. After a month:

Hmm… Not too great.

Now you lean back and look back on your work.

This is when doubt kicks in.

„What did I do wrong? Why am I now getting sales? My designs look good and they‘re neat. Surely someone is keen. Surely I can find at least one person, who clicks the link and is willing to support me. Surely.“

You reflect on your spendings. Your time. Your money on the design app, the mockup tool and the countless hours of looking at the dashboard waiting for the first client…

Is all of this worth it? Am I going crazy?

You go tell your family about your awesome idea. They seem excited for you, but not sure what to think of it. Are you only in for the big cash? Can‘t you just be happy with what you‘re getting?

The turning point

You now have two options.

They‘re so simple, yet essential to what you believe in and what your real values are.

Whatever you decide to choose could influence your work, your family, your relationship — everything.

Are you a quitter or a fighter?

That’s the real question behind this whole story.

If you decide to quit it‘s over. You will have spent money you could‘ve saved in the first place. You didn‘t think it through what would happen if it gets tough and you are frustrated.

If, however, you keep up your work, making new designs, keep networking on social media, buy the first shirt to promote your design and just hang in there. You will prove to yourself and all those around you that you‘re a fighter.

The world needs fighters.

Our goal in life should be to pursue what we value and keep learning as a person.

If you want to do that you have to keep going.

My story

This is my story.

I am trying to set up a successful e-commerce business selling T-shirts and have recently started out on Medium as a writer. I feel a strong urge to sharing my highs and lows with my followers and fellow writers.

Actionable advice:

Think of the goals you set when you got started.

Paint an image in your head, that will be so vivid, you won‘t give up.

Make this image your driving force.

P.S. If you are keen and willing to support my dream check out this storefront. I will be elated to have a first customer!