Richie Rich's Diary

[fajita]

Thank you both.

Jon I’m not sure. In August when I first opened it was £800+ in sales, then September was £1000+, October was £2,000+, now nearly £6000 this month.

I’ve extended the delivery time to 6-10 business days. So if they order today then the latest arrival date is 15th Dec. So I’m hoping the madness stops next week because it’s too much. I know it’s a good thing but it’s too much.

Is there anyone that can help you?

I'm just starting up now - how do you do your preview images? I want the photo to be of the printed version rather than electronic as the colour (of the shoe!) is totally different on screen to when it's printed so want to make sure it's accurate...

 

[rich110991]

Could you hire some freelancers to help?

What parts of the process take the longest? Could any of it be streamlined?

My sister wants to help me but haven’t got time to plan it properly and sort it out.

Is there anyone that can help you?

I'm just starting up now - how do you do your preview images? I want the photo to be of the printed version rather than electronic as the colour (of the shoe!) is totally different on screen to when it's printed so want to make sure it's accurate...

Most people don’t do that mate. They use mock-ups. Some people put in the item details that colours may slightly vary when printed as it’s hard to get the screen to match the print. Mine are all mock-ups, so much easier.

 

[fajita]

My sister wants to help me but haven’t got time to plan it properly and sort it out.



Most people don’t do that mate. They use mock-ups. Some people put in the item details that colours may slightly vary when printed as it’s hard to get the screen to match the print. Mine are all mock-ups, so much easier.

Ah OK, makes sense. How do you do that?! Sorry - I know you're super busy! I've found some websites by googling that seem to let you create soemthing like that, is it as simple as that?

 

[unicornrider]

Sending you loads of positive vibes to get your orders done. I have enjoyed hearing about your journey so far.

 

[Chrislennon1]

Keep it up mate- I remember a good few months back you were crying out for opportunities and now it looks like you struck gold taking the risk and starting this venture.
Good idea with the delivery times it should quieten down in the next few weeks.
Super impressed.

 

[robchoc]

£1,760 in sales from the last 7 days. I’m so stressed but got to keep going.

OMG I'm so happy for you, well done and thank you so much for posting this diary. It has given me so much inspiration and excitement when I read how well you are doing. Wish you all the best Rich.

 

[rich110991]

Thank you all so much

 

[fajita]

Thank you all so much

How's today been? Still super busy?!

 

[rich110991]

How's today been? Still super busy?!

Yep. I’ve done about 16 pictures and had 15 orders lol. Still probably 150+ to go. All with different due dates though. Should be able to catch up a bit I hope in the next few days.

 

[fajita]

Yep. I’ve done about 16 pictures and had 15 orders lol. Still probably 150+ to go. All with different due dates though. Should be able to catch up a bit I hope in the next few days.

Wow!! Wonder how long it'll be before it calms down?!

I'm slowly getting there, got a few designs done just need to get them uploaded! Finding Canva annoying because there's one I want to do landscape but you can't without paying for the Pro package

 

[rich110991]

Wow!! Wonder how long it'll be before it calms down?!

I'm slowly getting there, got a few designs done just need to get them uploaded! Finding Canva annoying because there's one I want to do landscape but you can't without paying for the Pro package

I was using GIMP, until I updated my MacBook and it absolutely ruined GIMP. It’s basically broken. This was during this stressful period. I went on Twitter and saw that GIMP had said they wouldn’t be able to fix it at the moment. So then I had to pay for Photoshop, £20 per month. But to be fair, it’s awesome and I’m able to do the pictures a little bit quicker! If you have a Windows Pc/laptop I’d say just use GIMP though.

 

[robchoc]

I'm all up and running now, bought everything including a printer and my Etsy shop is up and running with my sample designs. Went live last night.

 

[rich110991]

I'm all up and running now, bought everything including a printer and my Etsy shop is up and running with my sample designs. Went live last night.

Which printer did you get? Good luck with it mate.

 

[robchoc]

Which printer did you get? Good luck with it mate.

Thanks Rich
I went for an Epson ET-2756 It's one of those eco-tank models.

From their site:
"This economical printer can save 90% on ink costs on average. Giving you an extremely low cost-per-page, it produces 14,000 pages in black and 5,200 in colour with the included ink."

I liked the numbers so got one.

 

[robchoc]

@rich110991 you might like to look into a Royal Mail business account.

"Royal Mail VAT exempt Services –This service offers 1st and 2nd class delivery speeds, and includes delivery confirmation scan (GPS scan coming soon) parcel format items only. The service includes up to £20 compensation (Terms and Conditions apply). You may also wish to use the Royal Mail Signed For Service, the service includes up to £50 compensation (Terms & Conditions apply)."

 

[Jon]

I went for an Epson ET-2756 It's one of those eco-tank models.

I got an Epson EcoTank printer last year and STILL have yet to change the ink on it

the whole technology means that printers are absolute beasts when it comes to mass printing at home!

 

[Tsonga87]

Oh man, I am so glad I stopped in to see how you are doing @rich110991 because it looks like you are killing it!! Ignore your family for not giving you praise - you have got a sustainable business and are now making money hand over fist. Excellent work!

I am still out of the country so yet to get going on it sadly - but I am back on Friday with good intentions!

 

[rich110991]

Having a nightmare at the min.

My printer started printing funny last night and after calling Canon support 3 times and being disconnected each time, they ended up emailing me saying it needs repairing. I’ve only had it about 5 months.

I’ve got about 20 pics that I should have posted today and couldn’t. And I’ve done about 25 today that I should be posting tomorrow or Thursday. And then like another 150+ to do.

I’ve paid for next day delivery on a new printer so it should come tomorrow. I need it to work though and print well. And I need it to have enough ink in it to last until the ink I’ve ordered arrives.

I was already stressed, if it goes wrong tomorrow I don’t know what I will do. I’ve changed the delivery time to 2-3 weeks today because I just needed the orders to stop coming through for now, and they have.

 

[stevehayuk]

This may sound silly but have you got a print shop or photo copying shop near you, they will obviously charge but they may help you out by printing on your paper if push comes to shove

 

[robchoc]

Having a nightmare at the min.

My printer started printing funny last night and after calling Canon support 3 times and being disconnected each time, they ended up emailing me saying it needs repairing. I’ve only had it about 5 months.

I’ve got about 20 pics that I should have posted today and couldn’t. And I’ve done about 25 today that I should be posting tomorrow or Thursday. And then like another 150+ to do.

I’ve paid for next day delivery on a new printer so it should come tomorrow. I need it to work though and print well. And I need it to have enough ink in it to last until the ink I’ve ordered arrives.

I was already stressed, if it goes wrong tomorrow I don’t know what I will do. I’ve changed the delivery time to 2-3 weeks today because I just needed the orders to stop coming through for now, and they have.

Hope you are all sorted today and can get back to the business of making lots of money.