Why I Pivoted My Brand and Business

Feb 6

A few years ago, The Hearthmakers didn’t exist.

If you asked me then what I’d be doing now, I would have excitedly told you about Little Joys Studio, my small, home-based handmade embroidery business that I had dreams and plans for, and about how I was going to make it my full-time job (even though it didn’t pay an attractive salary!)

And yet here I am today… pivoted. In a whole new direction.

It wasn’t an overnight decision, and it wasn’t an easy one either.

In fact, it took me a long time to accept that the path I had poured my heart into wasn’t working out for me. In today’s post, I want to share the reasons why.

To be very honest, for me, monetizing a craft is hard. I tend to lose the pure joy of creating in the pressure to sell, market, and create plus keep up with demand. I felt more drained than inspired.

When one of my last few orders came in, I actually wished I didn’t have to make any more embroidered pieces. That’s when I knew something was not right. I decided to take time away and evaluate. As I was processing the season past and praying over the next, I entered a new season: motherhood!

Before I move on to that, here are a few of my favourite photos from the Little Joys Studio chapter:

A New Chapter Unfolds: Motherhood

When my boy was born, my whole world was turned completely upside down… in a good way (well, mostly).

“There was a real sense of urgency, though not of hurry, to make every moment count.”

Since sharp needles and a wriggling baby don’t go well together, I wasn’t able to revive my embroidery business even if I wanted to. My two hands were busy with other things: feeding, soothing, rocking, cleaning, carrying, homemaking.

Oh and I nearly forgot to mention — I had a part-time corporate job with a remote working arrangement. To say time was not in abundance would be an understatement! There was a real sense of urgency, though not of hurry, to make every moment count.

The deeper I entered into motherhood, the more I found myself thinking often and deeply about:

What culture, rhythms, and routines do I want to instil in my family?
How do I balance multiple responsibilities of work, home, and family?
How do I take care of myself so that I don’t pour from empty?
What generational cycles in my parenting do I need to be aware of, and can I do better?
How do I discipline with grace?
How do I disciple my child so that he grows to know the Lord?
How do I ensure my marriage does not sink to the lowest priority in the midst of keeping up with the demands of motherhood?
How do I create a wonder-filled and nurturing home and life for my child?
How do I fully and truly enjoy the mundane, quiet days, where it can be easy to feel so unseen and uninspired?

“Instead of feeling trapped in a quiet, ordinary, and boring though challenging season, I had a deepening conviction about how important this work of motherhood is.”

With so much constantly on my mind, this season brought me to prayer more often than ever before. By my own strength, I often burned out. I could only rely on God for wisdom, strength and grace to get by the tough days. And boy, were there many tough days. But as time went by, and as I pressed on in the journey, I found myself starting to genuinely enjoy my days spent at home with my little one. It was no longer about enduring or just surviving through meaningless, boring days.

Instead of feeling “trapped” in a quiet, ordinary, and boring (though challenging) season, I had a deepening conviction about how important this work of motherhood is. More and more, true joy, confidence and a sense of purpose filled my heart, all by the grace of God.

Then it hit me.

THIS. This joy + assurance + purpose is what I want I deeply wish other mothers could experience too. Helping other women, sharing insights, encouraging someone going through struggles that I’ve gone through (still going through!), gathering a community of mothers who believe in the eternal work of motherhood and supporting them in any way I can… this makes my heart beat fast.

If I was going to channel any energy and effort into my online platforms again, this would have to be it. I didn’t realize just how passionate I felt about creating content for fellow mothers until I gave myself permission to just start somewhere. I let go of trying to revive Little Joys Studio and stepped into The Hearthmakers. This direction feels right and fitting for this season. I can speak authentically, mama to mama.

As a newbie content creator, I’m challenged to step out of my comfort zone (#storyofmylife) and dive headlong into a new season of growth. The Hearthmakers is new territory, and I have lots to learn, but I’m excited and looking forward to doing work that connects, supports, and encourages mothers.

I’d love to have you on this journey with me. You can find me over on Instagram @thehearthmakers, and let’s have a chat in real time there (I really do reply!)

*Parenting topics apply to both mothers and fathers, but my heart is especially drawn to mothers because I deeply relate as a woman to the unique perspectives, challenges, and strengths we have that differ from those of fathers.