“So I’m building my company while also holding down a full time job and raising two kids,” Monique said. “You could say I am a little busy, all of the time.” The Boston entrepreneur’s line of encouraging journals and artwork is starting to take off. “Every time I get an order, I say “Yes!”” she laughed. “And then I remember I have to ship that order, and I say “Oh no!”
Time is of the Essence: Finding a Quick Pack and Ship Store
“When I first started doing this, I would go to the office supply store to ship my products,” Monique explained. “But this just took forever. First they have to find someone to work in the shipping area, and then there would be these really slow lines – I realize it doesn’t sound like a lot, but when I have to be somewhere in 20 minutes, I don’t need to be wasting 17 of it trying to mail a package.”
“Also, as a small business owner, I try to support other small business owners,” Monique added. “The corporations have all the advantages, but it’s the little companies that try harder and look after you. I found a quick pack and ship service that’s been in the Boston area for decades – it makes it easy to trust them with your business when you know they’ve been in business a long time.”
The Secret to Small Business Success: Valuing Your Time
“The thing about a side hustle is you really do have to hustle,” Monique said. “There is only so much time in the day, and you have to invest your attention in the things that are most meaningful to you. In terms of the business, my customers don’t care if I packed that box myself. They care that I am creating products and messages that help them stay strong. Value your time. Do what only you can do, and let the professionals take care of the rest.”