A Sad Day for Me

If you are on my email list then you already know the sad news.  I announced earlier this morning that I will be closing Sharma Designs.

This has been such a hard decision for me.  I love Sharma Designs and I have worked so very hard to get it to where it is today.  When I started out 4 years ago I was so green.  I knew nothing about search engines and marketing.  I think I scanned my jewelry on a scanner.  I had designed my own little website.  I have learned so much over the years.  It seems like such a waste to leave it all behind.

Until I remember why I want to close shop.  See..I have a toddler and a baby on the way and I have been married less than a year.  I feel that it is just not fair to my family to put so much energy into Sharma Designs.  I am an all or nothing kind of girl and as much as I would love to just scale back or keep myself to a minimum amount of hours I know that it's just not in me.

So..I am closing.  I feel such peace with my decision.  And of course I'm sad.  I will miss running a small business (although I do have Rare Bird to keep me busy - and it does!).  I will miss checking my email every few minutes.  I'll miss the constant search for a new place to advertise.  And of course I will miss making tons of  jewelry.  I will still make some.  Just not tons.  I will however be spending alot more time with my family and actually getting a good nights sleep.  And I think the trade off is well worth it.

So there it is.  You can get in on the closing sale by entering code ByeSharma at checkout.  You will receive 50% off of anything in the store.  Enjoy!

Thanks to everyone who helped make Sharma such a success over the years! 

Comments

[linda]

Oh no! I'm so sad to hear this but, I am happy for you, you should enjoy your prenancy and your family. Its not easy to fit everything in. Maybe you could just do a nice holiday sale for fun and extra money if the making bug gets you : ) Goodluck and I hope you'll still blog about how things are going.
xoxo, Linda

[Peter Siegel]

Have you thought of selling your business? I run a site that helps people sell or buy a small business in California. Most people don't think of this option but at the least you can sell the inventory. At the most you'll get a return for all of your hard work!
Check out www.BizBen.com
Thanks,
Peter

[paola]

Oh no! I just popped over here to see how things were going and to revive our wholesaling conversation of last year.

I totally understand why you're doing this - I've been so close to where you are on so many occasions, but yes, I can also understand how sad this must make you. After all Sharma Designs is your 'baby' too.

Let me know if you'd still be interested in making a few pieces wholesale...and the very best of luck in future. Are you at least going to continue blogging?

[Jody]

Oh, very sad to see you go but you need to do what is right for your family. There will always be jewelry to be made should you decide to jump back in when your children are older.

[Karin]

You are me 5 years ago. I totally understand how hard it is to make that decision and why you are making it. My business (picture frames and layette items) had just taken off before my 1st son was born. I thought I could be super mom and do it all. But starting a small business is VERY time consuming. Not to mention energy sucking....both emotionally and physically. I had two reps at the Marts in LA and stores placing orders. Yet I decided to step away because I knew at the juncture I was at, it had to be all or nothing. I wasn't able to keep up with my orders and felt like my son and dh were getting a very tired me. My second son just turned two and I am feeling the pull to get back to being productively creative again.

The thing to remember is that your talent will never go away. And people will always need jewelry. Even if they have to wait for yours for a couple years. Of course, considering all that, it's still a hard decision. Think of it as a sort of sabatical!

Sorry this post is so long and I am rambling!! But, I just had to let you know I was right where you are.

Take care and best of luck....Karin

[Carrie Sommer]

I totally understand your feelings and motivation - but it makes me sad...okay?