Just Start: The Power of Beginning Small

There’s Something About Just Starting

Got an idea? Talking yourself out of it? Worried about what people will think? Worried you might fail? Newsflash: People will think, and you might fail—but you also might not care, and you might just win big!

Don’t Wait

Don’t wait for the cash, the perfect time, or the ideal place. It’s always better to try than to never attempt—no regrets.

If you don’t have the money, use what you do have. Start smaller than you imagined, and if your plan was already small, go even smaller. Dream of opening a shop? Start with a market stall. Want a website? Start with an Instagram shop or an Etsy shop.

Start Small

The beauty of starting with less is that you become resourceful. Starting small allows you to test the market without overcommitting. Think of it like an after-school or weekend job as a teen—hard work, low pay, but essential to building experience and self-respect.

Self-respect outweighs the respect of others. In those early days of business, when resources are limited and every decision counts, creativity thrives. Being resourceful isn’t just about stretching a budget- its about finding clever solutions, leaning into your strengths, and building something meaningful from the ground up. Starting small allows you to stay agile, learn quickly, and connect deeply with your audience.

Test the Market

Starting small gives you the freedom to test your market without a spotlight. If you need to tweak your offer, business name, or logo, you can do so without anyone noticing.

Once you've tested your product or service and have real proof that customers want it, you’re ready to grow. Think of it as throwing things at the wall to see what sticks.

A Personal Example

Before I launched my wedding dress collection, I designed a range of lace tops (also called cover-ups, boleros, or toppers). These modesty pieces complemented the popular strapless sweetheart gowns at the time.

I worked within my skill level, kept material costs low, and avoided unnecessary pressure. With just £30, I bought lace, thread, and buttons to create my first samples.

First Steps

I approached a local bridal shop and asked if they would stock my tops wholesale. They said yes! From my first sales, I reinvested the profits carefully into:

·        Professional-looking photography

·        Printed postcards to showcase the collection

I asked a friend to take quick photos of the tops on a model. I couldn’t afford a full look book or website, and Instagram didn’t exist, so I got creative. A local printer worked within my budget to produce beautiful postcards featuring five images—one for each item in my collection.

These postcards doubled as lookbooks for stockists and marketing materials for customers. I wrapped them with a price chart and packaged them elegantly to make a strong impression.

The Results

With one small product line and minimal investment, I secured seven stockists across the UK, which felt incredible. My next step was to sell online.

I couldn’t afford a full website, so I started on Etsy, a platform perfect for makers. From there, I had consistent online sales, which allowed me to grow my business and eventually design and sell wedding dresses—my goal.

This is how I started my first business with just £30.

Lessons Learned

Here’s what helped me get started:

                   1.                Be resourceful.

                   2.                Don’t compare yourself to others.

                   3.                Find solutions to problems.

                   4.                Invest in multi-use items.

                   5.                Utilise free marketing tools.

Etsy: A Great Starting Point

Etsy is an excellent platform for selling products online. If you have a product and want to learn how to sell and succeed on Etsy, check out my E-guide.

This guide answers the most common questions creatives ask me about starting and selling on Etsy.

Note:

Etsy is a business, and its fees (like taxes and listing costs) increase over time. However, it provides a vast audience and helps you learn the ropes of e-commerce. By the time you’re ready to create your own website, you’ll already have valuable experience.

Its in these humble beginnings that strong foundations are built, and authentic brands are born.

The sooner you start, the sooner you learn, grow, and build something real. Theres a power in taking that first step-even if its small. You don’t need to have it all figured out; you just need to begin. Test the market, be resourceful, stay curious. Momentum builds with action, not perfection. So, if you’ve been waiting for the “right time” this is your sign: just start.

Resources

Links:

How to Open an Etsy Shop – Etsy Help

Bing Videos step by step guide for beginners on Etsy

Books:

The Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn

Rich Dad Poor Dad -by Robert T. Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter.

PDF Guides: