Celebrating 10 Years of Success - Podcast Recap
Hello! I'm Tara Sutton, the founder of Everything Done to a T. As I celebrated 10 years of success with my online store, I had the pleasure of being on the Product Powerhouse Podcast where I took some time to reflect on this incredible journey and shared some of the insights and experiences that have shaped my business over the past decade.
The Humble Beginnings
My journey into DIY projects began back in 2009 when I planned my own wedding, long before Pinterest became the go-to for wedding inspiration. I crafted my invitations, table numbers, and other decor items. This sparked a passion for DIY projects, leading me to help friends with their weddings and baby showers. It was this love for crafting and creating that inspired me to open my Etsy shop, all while raising a baby and toddler. What started with selling party favors and decor has since evolved into a thriving online boutique specializing in personalized gifts and sports accessories.
Navigating Through Challenges
One of the biggest challenges we faced came when my husband was laid off after 18 years with his company. Overnight, my business, which was originally our supplementary income, became our primary source of income. This was a daunting shift, but it pushed us to streamline our operations, focus on our best-selling products, and work more efficiently. My husband stepped in to help with orders and logistics, and together, we emerged stronger and more resilient.
Strategic Decisions for Growth
Realizing the unpredictability of relying solely on platforms like Etsy, I decided to build my own website. This move allowed me to have more control over my business and customer interactions. I started driving more traffic to my site, helping me diversify my sales channels and reduce dependency on any single platform.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
To those of you starting or growing your own business, my biggest piece of advice is to trust your gut. There is no one-size-fits-all approach in entrepreneurship. Be flexible, be resilient, and learn from both your successes and your failures. One practical tip I can share is about maintaining a consistent social media presence: create a library of B-roll content. This has been a lifesaver for me on days when I don't feel camera-ready but still want to stay connected with my audience.
Staying Connected
I love connecting with my customers and fellow entrepreneurs. You can find me on Instagram and TikTok under the handle @everything.done.to.a.t, or visit my website at everythingdonetoat.com.
I am so grateful for the past 10 years and am thankful for the loyalty of my customers. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey. Here's to many more years of Everything Done to a T!
Head over to Product Powerhouse to listen to the full episode!
