I received this question in a private email so I won’t disclose the name. ..

Dear Beauty,

if you don’t mind… I’d like to ask you a question… How long did it take before you were making money from your business. Right now, I’m plugging away and I’m getting some business, but it still seems like I’m putting out more than I’m getting back. I know all businesses are different, but can you give me a ballpark so I don’t continue to drive myself crazy? LOL!

Best,

IBN Member (Indie Beauty Network)

Dear IBN Sister,

I’ll be honest…it has taken me about 3 years to have my Bath & Body  business begin paying for itself on a daily basis. Any large expenses- like website redesign, label overhaul, etc, still come out of pocket.

The economy has not helped. Things were really picking up about a 1 1/2 years ago, then leveled out when the recession is said to have started.

I know that we have to maintain positive attitudes and being an entrepreneur is tough- but that doesn’t mean you can’t be frustrated, discouraged or even cry from time to time.

I really try to listen to my intuition, and most of the time I know when my head is over riding my gut instincts. I like to listen to my gut.

After all the excitement of starting up and getting your first sale and sales after that pass, reality and the daily grind sets in. Just because your business doesn’t take off overnight does not mean you should give up.

Also, being an overnight sensation is NOT all it’s cracked up to be. There are plenty of small businesses out there that amp up their production in order to meet a flush of sudden demand- they think it will go on for ever  (Crocs, for instance) then when sales die down or level out- they are left holding the bag.

The real part of being an entrepreneur is assessing your business, evaluating your potential and making a decision to fish or cut bait.

There is NO shame in cutting bait. I’ve done it 3 times with other ventures that I knew, on almost the outset, were not for me.

And fishing takes patience, strategy and preparedness.

So, I can’t give you a ballpark, I think it’s different for everyone.  Some get lucky and can make a living off it right away, others struggle more. One company is not better than the other. It’s just timing.

HOWEVER, not every company is going to make it. If your company is not fulfilling you in other ways while you wait for it to take off, then reassess your expectations and timing. Give yourself a time frame to have things happen before you move on or just scale back and keep trying. A new idea may percolate.

Thanks for your question!

Have  a Bizzy Day,

Don’t wait around for me to cover a topic or situation that may be at the top of your mind…post a comment about it!

I can’t promise that I have all the answers, but I may be able to point you in the right direction.

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