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Good Deed Turned Small Business

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I’m all about small business, whether it be admiring people who come up with creative ideas and courageously take a risk to launch themselves into the marketplace or patronizing local shops and small businesses in my community and online as well. This nation was built on small business. Unfortunately, during the Industrial age, greed, power and business monopolies took over and began to crush the small business owner little by little, until there was almost nothing left but the enormous corporations that pushed small business out of the mainstream.

In recent years, however, small business is making its way back to front and center. Entrepreneurism is the current trend and wave of the future. In fact, many people are once again encouraging, supporting and promoting small business shopping, and many others are trying their hand at one-of-a-kind projects of their own.

A particular friend of mine comes to mind. She’s a stay-at-home mom with four children who are older now – the eldest a college graduate, the youngest somewhere near the end of elementary school. A couple years ago, this woman’s friend suffered a great loss right around Christmas time. A house burned to the ground and the family lost everything they owned, literally.

Of course, all were thankful that every family member survived; however, they suffered intense sorrow at the thought of their home, their belongings, their treasures – everything – burning to cinders. They had to start all over again and were homeless at Christmas time.

My friend wanted to help. Being a creative sort of person, she came up with an idea for a fundraiser and promised all proceeds would go to the family in need. She created an assortment of handmade greeting cards and they sold like hotcakes. As promised, she gave every penny earned to her friend to help her and her family rebuild their lives.

That good deed wound up being turned into a full-time job and small family-run business. My friend is still at it, several years later. She purchased a special die cut machine that carves intricate shapes and patterns out of cardstock and she went to town, producing holiday cards, birthday cards, sympathy cards and more. She also started creating party decorations in themes, and continues to add new, creative products to her inventory all the time. From banners, to centerpieces and confetti, she provides beautiful, unique celebration items for all occasions.

Her next step was to open an Etsy shop online. It was a good idea because she quickly became known in every state of the nation, plus approximately 20 or more countries of the world.

Every time I need a special occasion card, I buy from my friend. This is the type of small business I love most. She does it from home and puts her heart and soul into it every day, most days 12-15 hours a day. Her husband and children are fully supportive of her business ideas and endeavors, and often pitch in to help make cards or keep up on housework and meals.

I love the fact that this woman’s kindhearted act for someone in need has blossomed into a successful small business from home that supplements her own family’s income. If I know my friend, she likely continues to share her profits with those in need because she has a big heart and loves to help the people of her community.

Is there a small business in your town you love to support? Do you have an idea for a small business that you just haven’t had the courage to try? What’s holding you back? Why not give it a shot?

Here’s the link to my friend’s Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScrappinBJs/items
Check it out and perhaps it will encourage you to create a small business of your own!

 

Writer Bio: Judy Dudich

Judy Dudich resides in the beautiful woods of Pennsylvania, where 24 acres of land and a home-office provide the perfect setting for her children’s home-education and her own homesteading and business ventures. Life is full of blessings (and challenges!) for Judy, as a wife, mother of 10 and Grammy to six. She is a published author, whose book, “I Surrender/A Study Guide for Women” continues to encourage and support others in Christian family lifestyles throughout the world. Judy has also previously worked in the online speaking circuit. Her passion for permaculture, re-purposing, foraging and organic gardening fills her days with learning and adventure that she loves to share.

 

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