When I started this little project there was something I severely underestimated that I want to share a little bit about today. Over this past holiday season I was struck continually by the amount of faith and trust that YOU have put in me to provide you with quality goods made with intention and care. I knew that was what I wanted Pink Moon Goods to be, a place that carried reliable goods made in the most ethical way as possible. I knew that I wanted folks to come to the shop knowing they would find something unique and lovely. As I watched day-after-day over the course of the last month, people just like you come to the shop to spend their hard earned money to buy gifts for their loved ones (and sometimes thankfully for themselves) I really got a much more clear picture of the gravity of this relationship that YOU all have with my shop (and therefore with me).
Many people have asked me in the last week how the holidays went for me and I am not afraid or shy to share that the holiday season was very lucrative for this little shop. I can't tell you how relieved and pleased I am, especially when we hear so many murmurs from small businesses that seem to be struggling. It's no secret than in retail in order to make money you need to spend money. As I was preparing for the holiday shopping season I wanted to do everything in my power to have everything one could possibly be hoping for when they walked through those doors or opened a page on my website. The last thing this retail shop owner wants to do is turn someone away because we are out of stock on something, but as I am gathering and ordering and preparing for all of the things the overriding question that swims around in my head is "will they come and buy stuff?".
So yes. I spent money to make sure that your holiday shopping experience had all the magic and love that can come from sharing thoughtfully chosen gifts and YOU did show up! I can't thank each and everyone of you enough. It truly means the world to me. But it's not really because I made money. Yes, the money helps but let me be honest. Some of it is gone to paying the bills that accumulated in order to get all of those goodies in the shop. Some of it is being spent quickly to restock. A little bit of it will be helping the shop survive the slow days that come immediately after the mad rush of seasonal shopping.
All of that is to clarify why I am sitting here feeling pleased. Simply put it is because YOU trusted me. YOU put your faith in me. YOU showed up to support this little shop. YOU relied on me to be here with that perfect thing you wanted to gift. YOU made it possible for me to survive during the holidays and beyond. YOU give me the confidence to put my best foot forward for this little shop because you are demanding that of me. YOU are not just supporting me and this little shop but a neighborhood in a little city that is doing everything in its power to thrive and be vibrant. YOUR faith and trust in me makes it possible for me to continue to provide this unique and magical experience that has become synonymous with Pink Moon Goods.
So while I may have sparked this idea YOU are what keeps it alive and well and I am honored and blessed to serve this wonderful little community.
My hope for this year for each of YOU is that you find important ways to thrive and feel you are moving forward with being the best YOU possible. The world needs that more than anything and I am here to witness your growth.
All images in post are from my little NFS wall in the shop. Sticker featured in main image of post is by Little Truths Studio.