We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Heaven Ford. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Heaven below.

Heaven, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made?

It sounds like you’ve had quite a journey with your business, and it’s great that you’re reflecting on your experiences. Here’s a way to frame your story that highlights your challenges while also emphasizing your resilience and determination to grow:

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### My Journey: Lessons Learned from My Worst Investment

Starting a business is often a rollercoaster ride, filled with highs and lows, and my experience with creating safety keychains and junk cases has been no exception. As someone from the DMV area, I quickly realized that success often feels tied to popularity and recognition. However, I’ve been committed to building my business piece by piece, learning valuable skills along the way.

Back in 2019-2020, I dove headfirst into the world of crafting safety keychains. I invested in bulk products, purchasing lanyards, safety alarms, mace, and emergency car tools—everything from seatbelt cutters to window breakers. I even added personal touches like AirPods cases, lip gloss, and resin initial letters to make my creations stand out.

Despite my enthusiasm, I soon found myself with a stockpile of inventory: over 50 lanyards, countless AirPods cases, and several car emergency tools. While I managed to make a small profit on the lanyards, the rest of my investment felt like a waste. The same pattern emerged when I ventured into junk cases. I bought a variety of cases and charms, only to feel discouraged as I saw others entering the same market.

This experience has taught me some crucial lessons. First and foremost, I need to work on my marketing skills. It’s clear that simply having a great product isn’t enough; I need to effectively communicate its value to potential customers. Additionally, I’ve realized the importance of believing in myself and my creations. It’s easy to feel disheartened when faced with competition, but I must remember that my unique perspective and creativity can set me apart.

Moving forward, I’m committed to pushing through the challenges and not giving up. Every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow, and I’m determined to turn my passion into a thriving business. With renewed focus on marketing and self-belief, I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For years, I’ve felt the weight of working for others, dreaming of the day I could wake up to find money in my account without the constraints of a 9-to-5 job. The routine of waiting two weeks for a paycheck and clocking in for eight-hour shifts has left me yearning for something more fulfilling. I want control over my daily life and the freedom to pursue my passions. My entrepreneurial journey began in high school when I started mapping out a business idea. I took my first steps by creating safety keychains, but it wasn’t until I discovered the world of resin crafting that I truly found my niche. Today, I’m proud to say that I’ve committed myself to selling homemade resin products, including trays and jars, and I’m continuously expanding my offerings to include coasters, incense holders, and bookmarks. I launched my Etsy shop with the hope of sharing my creations with the world. While business can be slow at times, I’ve noticed a positive trend in my views and sales when I invest in advertising. It’s a learning process, and I’m dedicated to refining my approach to reach more customers. Like any business owner, I’ve faced challenges along the way. One memorable experience involved a customer who thought they were being scammed due to a shipping delay over a holiday weekend. I quickly responded to their concerns, assuring them that delays can happen and offering a full refund if their order didn’t arrive. I believe in the importance of customer satisfaction and strive to create a positive experience for everyone who interacts with my brand. Good customer service is the cornerstone of any successful business. I want my customers to feel valued and appreciated, just as I do when I shop. My goal is to build lasting relationships that encourage repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals. I’m committed to ensuring that every customer leaves with a smile, knowing they’ve made a worthwhile purchase. As I continue to grow my resin business, I’m excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. I’m dedicated to honing my craft, expanding my product line, and creating a brand that resonates with my customers. My dream of working for myself is becoming a reality, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I’ve discovered that the best source of new clients for my homemade resin business has been Etsy. While I’ve tried promoting my products on Instagram, I haven’t seen much action there yet, and I haven’t ventured into TikTok videos just yet. However, I truly enjoy using Etsy and watching my business gain more views and traction on the platform. Etsy’s community of buyers who appreciate handmade and unique items align perfectly with my brand, making it an ideal space for me to showcase my creations.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

I’m an Etsy seller and I really love the platform. Etsy’s has this awesome community of buyers who are all about handmade and unique stuff. I’ve seen so many cool creations on there, from physical items to digital ones. What I love about Etsy is that I can pay for ads to reach my target audience. I understand how to manage my products and sales better on Etsy than I ever could on Shopify. The only thing I’d change is that I’d prefer to pay for my ads upfront, instead of having the daily ads I buy go towards my monthly bill to keep the site running.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Heavenstarjaa

Image Credits

Heaven Ford