When I Hit 2,000 Sales (And Why I Almost Gave Up Before I Even Got Started)

If you’ve ever had a dream that didn’t work out the first time, this story is for you.

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This week, I hit a milestone in my Etsy shop: 2,000 sales. It feels surreal even typing that.

And while I’m so grateful to celebrate this moment, I also want to share the truth behind it. Because this journey didn’t start with a win. It started with a quiet failure.

My First Shop Had Zero Sales

I opened my first Etsy shop more than a decade ago. I was full of ideas, creativity, and heart, but I had no clue what I was doing. I listed a few items, waited for the sales to roll in… and nothing happened.

No sales. No favorites. Not even a message.

Eventually, I shut it down. I felt defeated.

But deep down, the desire to create never left me. And during the stillness of the pandemic, that little creative nudge returned. This time, I listened.

I Tried Again (And This Time, I Kept Going)

During the pandemic, I reopened my shop with a new focus: designing digital tools that help people celebrate life, get organized, and tap into their creativity.

It wasn’t an overnight success.

But I showed up consistently working on my shop during the margins of my day. One product at a time. One customer at a time. And over the last few years, those small steps added up.

This week, my shop passed the 2,000-sale mark.

Why I’m Sharing This (It’s Not Just About Me)

I know I’m not the only one who’s shelved a dream after a false start. So I’m writing this post to encourage you:

It’s okay to start over.
What didn’t work the first time doesn’t mean it’s not meant for you.

Here’s a quote from Kelly McCausey that showed up in my Readwise feed recently:

“It’s not important that every dream come true. What matters is that dreams are not shelved and ignored.”

So let me ask you, friend
What have you quietly shelved?
What would happen if you tried again?

Why I Encourage You to Try Again

So much of our lives are spent doing what others expect of us—meeting obligations, checking boxes, playing it safe.

But those quiet nudges?

The ones that whisper, “There’s more for you”?

They’re worth listening to. When you follow them, you’re not just chasing a goal; you’re showing up for yourself. And while the payoff isn’t always money, it’s often something even richer: growth, confidence, clarity, and the joy of honoring what you truly want.

A Small Celebration, A Big Thank You

To all of you who’ve supported my shop—whether you’ve purchased a printable, downloaded a freebie, or shared my products with a friend—thank you.

You’ve helped make this milestone possible.

And to celebrate, I’ve got something special for you:

Use code JUNVIP25
Save 25% on any digital item in the shop through June 30.

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Here’s to small starts, second chances, and not giving up too soon.

Your Next Steps

Join our Pretty Cute Press VIPs and get the latest goodies and updates.

Take some time to pause, reflect, and journal on what dreams you've quietly shelved and determine one small way you can move toward them.

If you're looking to get started creating digital products yourself, I'd recommend checking out the DCT Community and/or DCT Business in a Box.

Interested in launching a blog? Learn the fundamentals of setting up your blog with a good foundation.

Want to start creating fun educational printables? Check out the Educreators Tool Box and Printables that Pop.

Find some of my favorite tools and resources for your creative journey.