The moment I almost quit

And the Shock That Made Me Keep Going

Running a creative business is a rollercoaster. The highs are exhilarating—seeing my designs come to life, hearing from customers who love them, and knowing I’m building something meaningful. But the lows? They can be brutal. And a few years ago, I hit a low so deep that I nearly walked away from it all.

I don’t share this story lightly, but I know so many creative entrepreneurs struggle with self-doubt, exhaustion, and feeling like they’re fighting an uphill battle. Maybe you’re in that place right now. If so, I want you to know—you are not alone.

When Passion Starts to Feel Like a Burden

I started my business out of pure love for creating. Every design is personal to me—hand-illustrated, carefully considered, and infused with my passion for bold, vibrant homeware. But turning that passion into a business? That’s a different challenge entirely.

There were months when sales were slow, days when self-doubt crept in, and countless moments when I wondered if all the stress was worth it. I’d poured everything into my brand—my creativity, my energy, my savings—and yet, some days, I felt invisible in an industry dominated by big players.

Then, something happened that nearly broke me.

The Day I Saw My Work Stolen

Scrolling through social media one evening, I froze. There it was—my cushion design—almost identical, produced by a major high-street brand. It wasn’t just a coincidence; the design was too close, too familiar. My heart sank.

At first, I felt sick. Then came the rage. I’d worked tirelessly on that design, refining every detail, making it perfect. And now, a huge company with endless resources had taken my work and was selling it as their own.

The gut punch wasn’t just the theft—it was the feeling of powerlessness. How could I compete with that? How could I protect my work when big brands could swoop in and copy it without a second thought? I told myself, Maybe this is the sign to stop. Maybe I’m not cut out for this.

For a few days, I seriously considered walking away.

But Then Something Shifted…

As the anger settled, something else rose in its place: determination.

If my work was good enough for a huge brand to copy, then it was good enough to stand on its own. Instead of letting them steal my creativity and my passion, I made a decision—I would push harder, make my brand stronger, and prove that small businesses like mine deserve a place in this industry.

That moment changed everything.

Turning a Setback into Strength

From that day forward, I started showing up differently.

💡 I doubled down on my unique voice. No big brand can copy my passion, my personal story, or the connection I have with my customers. That is mine alone.

💡 I made my brand more visible. I shared my journey openly, built stronger relationships with my audience, and leaned into what makes my designs special.

💡 I committed to pushing forward—no matter what. Instead of seeing obstacles as reasons to quit, I started seeing them as tests of my resilience. And every time I pushed through, my brand grew stronger.

If You’re Thinking of Giving Up, Read This

Building a creative business isn’t easy, and there will be moments when you feel like giving up. But here’s what I’ve learned: the challenges are proof that you’re onto something.

No one copies work that isn’t valuable. No one faces setbacks without being on the verge of something great. If I had quit, I never would have seen the growth, the stockists, the amazing customers who love my work.

So if you’re in that place of doubt right now, wondering if it’s worth it, I’ll tell you what I told myself: Keep going. Your creativity is worth fighting for.

Have you ever felt like giving up on a dream? I’d love to hear your story. Drop a comment or message me—I promise, I get it. 💛✨