LittlePixieGlass
Musings, ramblings, social links and basically all stuff that makes up life as a Pixie with glass!
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Capacity - the hidden curse of the small trader
This is something that is increasingly cropping up in conversations from those looking to set up a shop or small business, and in the past, I have run this capacity question as a workshop for startups as it's a hidden issue that we don't always think about until it's too late. I regularly have chats with folk bouncing away telling me their grand ideas but on digging a little deeper they have often not fully understood how much time they need and may not have the time to achieve their fabulous idea so we need to tweak it a little.
To give you an example of the capacity issue - let's make up Lucy the cake
maker who wants to set up a cake shop. She can bake amazingly well,
absolutely no issue with her products. But, capacity especially when
making something yourself does need to be considered.
For any small business start-up you must know your numbers, here's a basic
breakdown of the initial key things:
How many hours can you realistically work at your
business - you need to sleep, take small people to school, visit your Mum and
see your friends from time to time. If it helps keep a little calendar
check of your schedule for a week and then work out the hours you do have or
could make available.
How long does it take you to make each item - if you batch make something
then work out a time for 10 or 20 perhaps but as long as you know for example
20 cakes = 2 hours from start to completion.
Now you need to work out how much profit you have after selling your work -
ignore the time for the minute, just deduct materials cost from selling
price. Remember to include packaging!
- You now have your four basic figures to work out if you can survive:
- Use the time per item and see how many you can make in your available time, eg if 20 cakes take you 2 hours and you have 6 hours in a day then you can produce 120 cakes
- Now multiply that number by your profit per item - again, if your cakes have a profit of £1 per cake you have £120 profit per baking day
- Does that £120 per day multiplied over your working week or month cover what you need to survive?
- If yes, fantastic; if no, then what can we change?
How much do
you need to bring into your household each month to survive (notice I
said survive, you are a startup so work on worst-case scenarios as
anything else is a bonus in year one). I have often been accused of being too commercial in my approach in the past
towards the small craft business but the reason is that you do not start with
the intention of making a loss! And without knowing your cost base and time
(capacity) you may well accidentally end up there. Many crafters have no
intention of turning it into a business and it's used to top up a wage, or pay
for holidays which is fine. BUT if you want it as a real business paying
your mortgage and bills you do need to keep an eye on the costs and your
time.
If you end up with a situation where you realise you cannot produce enough to
cover your required income then look to diversify. What costs can you
cut, can you create passive income from recipes online that people can pay and
download off your website? Can a friend help do the deliveries to free you up
to bake? Can you supply local cafes or do office lunch provision to build a
customer base rather than the massive outlay of a store until you know exactly
what's working for you?
Capacity is the hidden curse of the small trader -
we are required to be all things at the beginning phase and everything needs
doing at the same time. We have to be the maker, the accountant, the
advertiser, the brand, attend events - the list is endless and can seem
daunting so be sensible. Which activities use your time and generate
returns? Admittedly in the beginning there won't be masses coming back as you
build your portfolio, your brand, your customers, etc etc but join networking
groups as it can also be incredibly lonely especially when you have to present
to the world as happy and bouncy while going eekkkk not sure I can pay the
mortgage this month.
Having said all that, there is also an element of
risk attached to any start-up and you have to decide where your personal risk
limit is. Some are happy to take on a shop lease and work it out as they
go along whereas others want full spreadsheets and two years figures
first. Both are ok, it's personal but just be clear what your risk level
is and stick with it. Whichever route you choose just make sure you stay
on the right side of the balance sheet and have fun discovering your potential!
And don't forget there is a lot of help out there, loads been there, done that
and got the t-shirt, some now even print said t-shirts!
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Body Dysmorphia - and what's going on inside our heads
As I'm now quite open about this cruel illness stealing so much of my time I do get quite a few messages saying help; my daughter struggles or I don't know how to help my friend so I thought I'd start logging down some of the useful things I've passed along in the past. My story is that I stop eating, I shut down completely and the fridge is a basic no fly zone, others over eat but I basically starve myself. These are just blogs about how I remember it, what helped me, the conversations with others over the years about how they coped too.
Please do not take this as medical advice, IF someone is critically ill or at serious risk of self harm then please do call your local emergency services. These comments are purely my thoughts on how folk wanted to help me when I was poorly and how I developed coping strategies to help let them into my world a little. They may help, they may not but they might at least start a conversation going. Or, maybe just send them a link to this blog and allow them to contact me directly if and when they want to.
Body dysmorphia is way more than seeing a pretty dress and going ahh but it looks great on the model cause she's tall and I'm short so it won't hang right on me. It's way more than eek I ate too much cake and my jeans feel a bit tight. It's ingrained so deeply in us that if we somehow catch sight of our image we'll turn to stone in morbid fear of what we will see. That image must never be relayed back to us through mirrors, shop windows, bus stop shelters or parked car windows. Reflective surfaces become like demons to us, like the sun is to a vampire and we can spot and avoid at 100 paces. We wear glasses and hats to shield our eyes from accidentally seeing an image that got through our high shields. It's way more than just feeling fat and almost doing the I feel fat so folk will give us compliments and the no, you look fab just as you are. In fact we won't even discuss it with you, at all, nadda, zip, it doesn't exist - and if it doesn't exist in anyone's consciousness we can remain hidden in plain sight. That suits us just fine thank you very much!
BUT we know it's happening, we are not unaware of it, we are almost powerless to control it. It is a mental health issue, it is NOT a vanity thing. It is not a but I want to look good in a bikini this holiday thing, it is an all consuming daily battle within our own head and the noise is constant. There is no off switch, we know we need to find that off switch but daily survival is the first thing.
So, to help - we don't want to talk to you. You mean well, you love us, we know that. We know you worry and want to help BUT we don't want your pity, we know that look! So, we will deflect and distract, we're masters at it, we can hide food and what we have or haven't eaten so you think you're hidden agenda question will get through our shields?!? Haha love the optimism!
So, we don't want to openly talk to you BUT we do need you, so leave little post it notes around going 'hi, I couldn't finish the bagels today so left it in the fridge, have a good day!' that's non threatening. That's not saying oii I'm watching what you've eaten today, that's a hey you'll be helping me out so you sort of take the pressure off us a little. We also need time to decide what we want to tell you, how much and when. We're aware of what's going on and judge ourselves so harshly we sure don't need anyone else's judgement too!
Also, unless you have walked this path I'm sorry but it's very hard to really know what's going on in their head - this is not something that began last Tuesday, this is something that began a long time ago and has had time to embed and get deep into their soul. In the same way it takes a large ocean liner a long time to turn around this isn't a quick fix and in many ways never truly leaves so don't be in any hurry. Pull up a chair and a good book and just listen out for our odd throwaway comments because they're not, they're us judging your reaction. We can pass it off as a throwaway comment depending on the reaction we get. You can't help judge, you can't help apply your own understanding to this situation and especially if it's a close family member you want to do everything to help. And harsh as this may sound, be aware that sadly somehow you may actually be mixed up in their reasoning or their history so sometimes it's easier to involve a friend with less emotional investment.
Another simple help strategy, just leave cookies lying around - especially if they are broken ones. If we bite into a whole one you know we have, broken pieces are less likely to be noticed so we can just nibble without you necessarily knowing we have.
Will continue to update this as I remember things, but again, this is personal anecdotal evidence and not based in medical expertise so please take it in the way it is intended,
Have fun, Pixie x
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
You're keeping this why???
I apologise wholeheartedly to friends and family! This tidying lark gets under your skin and once you get your head around it you don’t seem to stop!
As a friend summarised:
- Go big or go home
- Reflect
- Sweep through again
- Get rid of the nigglers
- Feel smug
- Repeat
And it really is that constant appraisal, that constantly asking yourself do I really need this? That self-critique of how did I acquire 7 ice scrapers, 4 tubes of decorators caulk and yet somehow feel the need to purchase more (you know who you are!!!). I have noticed a massive head shift in how I live in my space, how I feel about my space and also how I value it. It’ll never be a show home, cats owning a home will never allow for that, but it does feel like a happy little home again. One where there aren’t piles of odd project ‘that will come in useful’ stuff.
Key deadly phrases to watch out for, if you hear yourself saying them then you may be in danger of being a closet hoarder and may need the skip of salvation to rescue you.
That MAY come in useful - ok the key word here is MAY, and just how long have you hung onto said item just in case??? If it's more than a month I can almost categorically tell you that it won't come in useful, you would have used it by now if that were the case so in the skip with it!
It’s on my reading list – really?? You had the time to make a list of things you’ll read but rather than read the book you made a list?? Skip of delusion again my friend.
It matches something I can’t remember where it is – this is my personal favorite reasoning of mine, chances are the one it matches is hiding somewhere, damaged or I’ve already thrown it out! Plus if I can’t remember where it is I clearly don’t use it. Unless it is antique, or so hard to replace it belongs in the skip of salvation.
I’ll make something out of that – again, one of my personal frailties! Like what exactly are you going to make with it??? And just how much else random rubbish will you accumulate before getting round to it?? And just how long have you been planning said project?? If the answer to any of these causes a giggle then off to the skip of salvation.
I love how inventive our self reasoning is for keeping things! Was helping a friend do her garage and it was an utter hoot finding at least 5 half opened tubes of decorating materials (I did have them too, my smugness came from having already done my tip run).
The other thing is organise stuff! Till earlier I called my kitchen cupboards the cupboards of doom, there were several duplicates, several packets of half-used things and many more things that I had clearly purchased on a whim yet gone nahh and shoved to the back of the cupboard. I have cats yes, but they do not need 5 bowls each! By going through things I was able to discover exactly what I did have, what I needed to replace and what I clearly had a zombie apocalypse survival quantity of.
It is hard that first deep breath of right, I need to tackle this. Even recognising that it needs tackling is a bit daunting. The amount you clear out questions how you fitted in the house and did my friends think me an utter slob yet didn’t want to say anything?? We have found a badge maker and suspect there will be many silly badges made such as ‘I used to be a hoarder’ and we do like the Skip of Salvation for recovering hoarders.Yes I’m making light of it, but honestly, you feel so much better for living without the chaos around you, it starts to clear your head and you feel calmer in your own skin and space. However, telling me I own too many cats and need to declutter won’t be happening soon – and anyway you have 6 bikes so nyahh!!!
Pixie x
The Ladder of Success
Monday, March 7, 2022
The Mirror of Doom
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
JanYouAry22 - I learn
Hello and welcome to 2022! What a weird year last year was, a mix of highs and lows as we each battled to discover our own new realities given the ever changing world. The only constant we have is change, and as Buddha says in a world where we strive for permanence we are always reminded that things are temporary and that no matter how much we would like things to stay the same they just can't and we shouldn't get too hung up on creating false attachments.
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Chakras - and their importance
Deep down we all know that we're connected to things outside of our control, some call it their gut instinct, some say I just had a sixth sense about something. That odd feeling when something tells us not to cross the road just yet and seconds later a car comes whizzing round the corner and had we crossed we wouldn't be here. There are many stories like this around the world and the truth is yes we are all inter connected.
Beginners guide to understanding Buddhism
One of the key things that Buddha taught us was about attachment (anicca), and how that attachment creates desire to hold onto things, and when we can no longer maintain that hold it creates suffering (dukkha). There is a misconception that Buddha believes we can only grow through suffering, what he was trying to say that our false preconceptions of what is useful or valuable to us causing suffering because of our attachment to something.
For example, we may desire a new phone (doesn't matter if we need it or not, the desire is present) so we buy a new phone. We give ourselves lots of rationales like I deserve it because I worked hard last week, all my friends have one so I don't want to get left behind. Temporarily it brings us happiness as we can join in with our friends, we get to play with new buttons. However the happiness is impermanent, we may have had to take a new credit contract to purchase it, and now regretting it, the dog may slobber on it and break it and thus the cycle continues through to suffering. It was the desire, not the phone that brought about the suffering, the desire for something that would bring temporary happiness. Yet we find ourselves blaming the phone, that thing that is just plastic and electronics that you didn't even need in the first place, you just desired it.
However, when we become aware that things are temporary and constantly changing (impermanence) we accept the temporary happiness and enjoy it while it is with us. We are grateful for that time. It is not the impermanence that creates the suffering, it is our attempt to cling to something that is ever-changing that causes the suffering.
2020 created the greatest level of change many of us will ever see in our lifetime. It taught us that life truly is impermanent as friends and family became ill and sadly passed, often without the ability to grieve properly. Jobs, businesses, friendship groups have all been tested to their limits and some have fared far worse than others. Buddha also taught us that people do not have a fixed self or soul and are constantly changing (Anatta) and again each of us has transformed in some way during the last 12 months because we are not fixed.
He talked of the four noble truths:
- There is suffering, this is inescapable and to think otherwise is foolish - Dukkha
- Suffering has a cause, be it physical, emotional, or due to false attachment - Samudaya
- Suffering can come to an end - Nirodha
- There is a way to bring suffering to an end - Magga
The idea that there is a cause for suffering is explained by Tanha,
- craving things that please the senses
- craving to be something you are not
- craving to stop experiencing something
But we're back to the idea of attachment because everything changes that chocolate you crave today will taste different tomorrow and you may also be cursing the change that the weight gain gives you. Your cravings change, your body changes, your needs change, and to grow attached to something that gives short term benefit may lead to an attachment or addiction which in itself will cause harmful effects. He then spoke of the three poisons
- greed or desire (cockerel)
- hatred or anger (snake)
- ignorance (pig)
Budhha believed that people get trapped into these cycles and that the poisons are linked to the cravings or Tanha. Craving something you do not possess leads to greed and perhaps anger at not being able to have something. It is also to ignore what you need and replace it with desire and thus the negative cycle continues.
By living in harmony with the four noble truths and recognising that life does indeed constantly change, as do we within it and accept it we begin to take control of our own lives. Living in the present is about accepting what we have, not what we desire; value the body we have, not desire to be something we are not. If we are unhappy about something then we need to look inwards and see if we are not poisoning ourselves by false attachment or expectations? I for instance will never be a 6' glamour model and there is absolutely no point pretending otherwise!
Nibbana is a state of freedom, happiness, and peace or enlightenment. It doesn't mean you sit in temple praying with monks for hours in contemplative silence, it means you are living in the present. Content with what you have, valuing the ever-changing world around you, and accepting that if suffering is present it will not last. Change is the only constant and Buddha asked we be mindful of the eightfold path to allow us to get closer to eliminating the poisons that hold us back and cause suffering.
It isn't easy right now to always think kindly, act with good intention, and be grateful for what we do have. Many are experiencing struggles they could never envisage 12 months ago so it is important we are grateful for what we do have and offer support to those that may need it.
The Secret - a guide for living
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With grateful thanks to Elaine Collier for giving me some of her valuable time I was able to actually see my business from an outsiders p...
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Hello and welcome to 2022! What a weird year last year was, a mix of highs and lows as we each battled to discover our own new realities giv...
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Go on, admit it - how many of you made resolutions, or vision boards, or goals for 2021?? I know I did, but then something didn't feel...
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As I'm now quite open about this cruel illness stealing so much of my time I do get quite a few messages saying help; my daughter strugg...
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Burning to cleanse is not a new concept, farmers used to do it to clear the land of old crops and holistic people use it to cleanse draini...
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I was reminded of an old blog so wanted to return to the idea behind it. How many of us have stood in front of the mirror and immediately ...
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This is something that is increasingly cropping up in conversations from those looking to set up a shop or small business, and in the past, ...
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Yes the title is size does matter – hopefully that’s got your attention in the right way! Hopefully you’re already a little angry at me – g...
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Just click on the links below to say hello or go to the cart to buy my my work
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One of the key things that Buddha taught us was about attachment (anicca), and how that attachment creates desire to hold onto things, and...