Writing The Heartizan Book
Writing the Heartizan Book is all about creative businesses and for the month of May our theme is all about Mindset and how we can remain positive even when life becomes a challenge. April has not been the best month for me, three more diagnoses and a bumpy business journey for my Cuddle Bed business. Trying to juggle two business, a team of amazing Madmins, two sons with special needs along with three other children and three grandsons can be quite a challenge!
I do however get a lot of inspiration and motivation from my children, my friends, my Madmins and my fabulous creatives, all of whom go through their own challenges and hard times.
How hard can it be?
I have sat at my desk trying to write our book which will be launched at Kirstie Allsopp’s Handmade Festival and thought exactly this, how hard can it be! Oh my word it is incredibly hard! I have had to really dig deep and try to process things that have happened to me and then write them down. I did a brain storm with a wonderful friend to sort out the chapters with a I used my photos on my phone to remember the business journey that I have had this far.
However my why and the why of all the other stories that will make up this book is much, much harder! I am a sensitive soul (not that I show this very often) and I have found that I am re-living my demons and past difficulties along with sympathising with the other amazing people’s stories too.
Accountability – Writing The Heartizan Book
I do have an amazing team and one very lovely lady Dolly (Angela) has helped me collate the stories and will also keep me accountable, for which I am very grateful. I get easily distracted with Heartizan, being pulled here, there and everywhere! I also cannot sit for too long at my desk as I have spine problems which are only going to get worse, so I need to get my mindset right too! Writing the Heartizan Book will be completed this month!
April
In April we launched our crowdfunding campaign which was one big learning curve and a whole lot of work! My back became unbearable and I struggled to walk. I was trying to launch my new products for my Cuddle Bed business and also manage Heartizan but my mindset was not good, I was coming to terms with many issues and I have to admit, I felt like giving up on many occasions. I am not a quitter and I muddled through, I am actually very stubborn and I know that Heartizan is amazing and it is worth fighting for. I then received a call from London and Dragons Den wanted me to attend an audition for Cuddle Beds in a short few days!
I now had hope and a plan, an exit plan so I could finally work on one business and take that forward whilst my sensory items could be managed by my seamstress. I had very little time to prepare, my website was not up to date, my new products had not been launched but I am a person that just does things, I feel the fear and I don’t let it stop me. This mindset has taken me through my whole life and even though the outcomes aren’t alway what I had hoped for, I still step into my power. I truly believe my power is being visible, bringing like minded people together and raise them up to feel powerful too so they can share their stories and become successful.
This was my second chance, I applied for Dragons Den whilst my business was in its infancy and was not even trading but I continued to apply. My second chance went so much better, I had a lot more confidence and I smashed the audition. However I still didn’t make it though, even after they phoned me several times and sent me many emails asking for more information.
I had some wins in April too, I was featured in The Lady Magazine and some of my new products will be sold in Ireland, Wayfair and Robert Dyas.
What is Heartizan?
Heartizan is so much more than a marketplace, it is the heart and soul of an amazing community! The creatives of Hearitzan are incredible people and they truly are like family. We help each other, we learn togther and we support each other. My team who are too many now to name are tireless and are worth their weight in gold.
So even though April was quite a bummer I am looking forward to May to see where that takes us, to write this book and share everyones stories as well as face some of my own demons.
Heartizan will continue to grow, to help others and bring together more amazing creative businesses. So for our May mindset I will share my struggles, challenges and how I keep going but most importantly I will continue to surround myself with amazing people who make amazing things!
Watch our video here about Heartizan
Find our more – Writing The Heartizan Book
We have several support groups, this is one which anyone can join and you do not have to open a shop with us. Here we have a monthly challenge to go live, we let you know about awards that you can win on Twitter to help scale up your businesses and we have lots of helpful Madmins to guide and support you in The Crafters Display.
You can also read more about us here and why my team of Madmin’s have joined Heartizan and if are a creative and would like to try a very different way of selling and belonging to a wonderful community have a look here!
We have a special offer for May too which can be read here – buy three months and get one free!
Lastly, take a look at our blogs which some are written by other creatives, I am sure they will inspire and motivate you along with connecting with them too!
https://www.heartizan.uk.com/our-stowaway/
https://www.heartizan.uk.com/chrissies-big-win-theo-paphitis-small-business-sunday/
https://www.heartizan.uk.com/how-to-grow-with-heartizan/
https://www.heartizan.uk.com/a-pain-in-the-craft-by-karly-from-bow-cottage/
https://www.heartizan.uk.com/creating-happy-dances-giveaway/
https://www.heartizan.uk.com/our-heartizan-love-stories/
https://www.heartizan.uk.com/about-us/
https://www.heartizan.uk.com/heartizan-terms-conditions/
https://www.heartizan.uk.com/artisan-toolbox-challenge/
https://www.heartizan.uk.com/heartizan-magical-marketplace/
Have an amazing May and look out for our book in September!
Great article Chrissie, you are one amazing lady!
We all have struggles, thankfully mine are minor in comparison to many, but the support from this Heartizan family is wonderful. So thank you *Mum* ! ??
Ah thank you so much Sue, you all inspire me to keep on going!
A brilliant article and actually sums up why lots of people get into handcrafting. I am disabled following a failed spinal fusion 20 years ago and its been my family, true friends and crafting which keeps me going. Well done x
Oh Margaret I didn’t know that but I am glad that crafting helps keep you going and thank you!
A fantastic blog Chrissie. It’s good to get to know the personal side of the lady behind Heartizan. I’m looking forward to the book being published and getting to know more about everyone x
I love your blog Chrissie. It was an informative read and nice to learn more about you and your plans this year x
Aw me too lovely, it’s coming along nicely now x
Thank you so much Debbie, the book is coming along nicely x
Chrissie, I take my hat off to you. How you have/are managing to overcome your life/business/personal struggles & still find time to write a book & nurture those you love; is truly inspiring.
Loved reading your blog & want to wish you all the luck in the world – YOU deserve it!…x
Aw thank you so much Angela, I love Heartizan and I know we will grow and help more businesses.