As a retailer in the industry, I want to say your take is DEAD ON. I have customers who offer to help All The Time … and I almost always say Thank you for the offer, but no. Is there an exception or two? Yes, but those are folks I likely tried to pay at one point or another. They’re also the people I give employee discounts to, free product I receive from vendors, etc. Much like you.
The number of people that don’t understand we have expenses, and a storefront has huge expenses, and focus on the feel good/free stuff/hobby business side of our industry may never fully understand that a business is, well, a business. And it’s amazing how differently our fiber based crafts are viewed than, say, traditionally male oriented wood based crafts (because making something out of wood is a job and making clothing or bedding is a hobby?).
Thank you for this well articulated take!!
Thank you Heather!
Thanks Sam, you illustrate (with words & your image) some of the challenges & changes needed for a new norm in women's (creative) businesses.
I’m glad you “get” my drawing… it’s how I figure out a lot of things!
I agree with everything you are saying. Women traditionally devalue their work and time. Thank you.
As a retailer in the industry, I want to say your take is DEAD ON. I have customers who offer to help All The Time … and I almost always say Thank you for the offer, but no. Is there an exception or two? Yes, but those are folks I likely tried to pay at one point or another. They’re also the people I give employee discounts to, free product I receive from vendors, etc. Much like you.
The number of people that don’t understand we have expenses, and a storefront has huge expenses, and focus on the feel good/free stuff/hobby business side of our industry may never fully understand that a business is, well, a business. And it’s amazing how differently our fiber based crafts are viewed than, say, traditionally male oriented wood based crafts (because making something out of wood is a job and making clothing or bedding is a hobby?).
Thank you for sharing your “slow cooker” take.