The Community for Catholic Moms

What is the motivation behind you business?

There are many reasons people start businesses, and I find different people's motivation can be very interesting.

Personally, I need something productive to call my own. Homemaking is a job which I work very hard at and take pride in. However, I need to do something outside the home that does not conflict with the needs of my family. My business making crochet items fits the bill.

Also, I try to avoid buying goods that are made under unethical conditions, not an easy task on a budget in our society. In my store, I only make items from goods that are manufactured in countries with fair labor laws. In this way, my conscience is clear when I am working, and my customers can buy with a clear conscience.

Finally, a portion of my profit is donated to charities I would not otherwise be able to afford to support.

That's pretty much it for me. How about you?

Tags: business, motivation, shop, wham

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jennifer O'Gorman Flippen on October 10, 2010 at 9:40pm

Hi - I run the store StAnnesPixies on Etsy and am happy to say that I see sisters in the Faith I have met through Etsy! Hello all! I remember meeting you, Jenny, in an Etsy lab on embroidering wool felt necklaces. Small world. Well, I have to admit that I didn't start this venture for any deep-seated reason. I knew a friend who was going to sell on Etsy and I figured - if she can do it so can I. Before that I didn't think anyone would want anything I could make. But, thank the Lord, I was wrong. I named my store St Annes Pixies (St. Anne's Pixies if you DID use punctuation) just so it could be identified as having a Catholic influence but be artsy and whimsical at the same time - not that these two are contradictory. But the name is pretty unique. I started making these fairy dolls which I had made for my own children but then discovered I could adapt and make saints, and nuns and bishops too! After all - there are a lot of people making fairies - saints were not so easy to come by. So, that is how it started. Later I decided to add peg dolls to do something "simpler" but of course I, being a details person, made them really detailed too.
Like the other women who have posted I too needed something unique to me - something where my detail-orientedness could be nurtured. In a busy homeschooling house sometimes being stuck on too many details is a recipe for disaster. I am thankful that God has provided me with this outlet. Some of my money goes to charities as well. I give to Food for the Poor Inc. and Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. What a great feeling it is to be able to give, huh?

Permalink Reply by Jenny on October 11, 2010 at 10:07am

What a great store! I have 3 boys and a girl on the way and 4 godchildren, all of whom will be getting gifts from your store over the next year:) I can't beleive you even have a St. Emma.

Thanks for sharing you shop here and your talent on Etsy. Off to go share a facebook link to your shop with friends (I'm pretty small in social networking so don't expect big things, but I do have lots of Catholic friends who use Catechisis of the Good Shepherd who would love your shop.)

Permalink Reply by Jennifer O'Gorman Flippen on October 14, 2010 at 10:10pm

Thanks for your enthusiasm and help! Your hats are adorable!! I will remember your shop when I need to give a gift! I cannot crochet or knit (though I have tried both) so I appreciate your ability! I love making my little dolls so I am elated that I can actually make money doing something I love. However, I put a lot of time into them so I need to find a balance between my Etsy work and my home life with my husband and children.