A sad day in Modish-land

I was going to wait til next week to announce this, but since news already seems to be spreading, and since it's all that's on my mind, I thought it best to tell you all now...

My little shoppe that could, Modish Handmade Goods, will be closing at the end of this month. 

It's not for lack of success, quite the contrary in fact- it's just plain too much work for little ol' me.  I've long since sacrificed time with family and friends (and myself!) to get this blog and then the shoppe off the ground.  I thought once I quit my full time job, I'd have more free time, but it didn't work out that way- it was fun and fulfilling, nonetheless, and my loved ones supported me, although they didn't see me much :) 

But, this past month has been a hard one with 2 family emergencies that threw me for a loop and caused me to question what kind of life I'm leading if I'm working alllll the time.  It's easy to ignore how much you're working, when you're working, but when you're forced to step outside of your life for a bit, you can see it with a fresh perspective. 

That new perspective showed me that I yearn to lead a life where happiness is a priority, spend more time with the people I love and do more for myself so I don't lose "me."  I don't want to say, "No, I can't, I have too much work to do" as the answer to everything, anymore.  I want to live out at least some of the benefits of self-employment (lunch with friends, walks in mid-afternoon, cafes with wifi :) instead of being holed up in my office for 60-80 hours a week- even tho I have only myself to answer to and am grateful for that, I'm a damn slave driver apparently- that's just too much to be working, for me.

So the hard decision was made to close the shoppe down.  I will dearly miss my consignors and customers, I will miss seeing all the beautiful items arrive in my mail box, taking photos of them, and showcasing them here, but a greater part of me is ready to follow my heart and indulge a new career path that will hopefully allow me more free time.

So, this blog is still going to remain a daily dose for you all, and with more time to focus on it, hopefully it can become even better!  I also hope to further explore my first love of writing with a new site that will offer writing and marketing services to small businesses, so I can continue to serve this wonderful community, just in a different way. 

I appreciate all the support you have given to me and the shoppe over the past year+!  I am overwhelmed.  And I'll be listing the last of all the new items I have over the next week, so be sure to stop by and pick up anything you've had your eye on, before it's gone for good! 

I'll have more updates as we get nearer to the closing, but just wanted to give you all a head's up about what's going on.  I'll miss the title of "shopkeep", but am psyched to pursue the title of "writer" (my dream come true!) and look forward to exploring new ways to serve this community even better.

Thank you thank you for all your support.

Much love,
jena

Comments

[Regina]

Hey Jena,
I read the "news" on your shop and expected bad news - but, I have to admit, it is great to stop because of success, and you are a perfect business woman to think your path over and to take such a decision. Your shop has been such an inspiration for me, I discoverd it soon after we opened ours and have been following it and your blog!
You have done such a great job and gained so much experience, all the best for the new start and new great experience in writing and marketing!
Hope your family is fine and healthy.

[modish]

Aww, thank you so much Regina! That means a lot to me :)

[Jessica]

WOW! Good for you for following your intuition and your dreams. The shop will be missed (of course) but what a wonderful thing for you, your family and everyone else you have and will touch. I too am on a similar path so I can identify. Not to plug myself, but in your new career, keep in mind that "doing it all" is not always the best way to run our live and our business and there are other professionals who can help. If you've not yet heard of a Virtual Assistant, check out www.assistu.com.

[MonkeyGurrl]

Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

(That's me, being selfish.)

Good for you, tho, being able to make a decision and stick with it. Speaks volumes (especially about why you're so successful). Good luck in all your endeavors and be sure to keep us posted!

[Stephanie]

Jena,
I applaud you for realizing what you really need to do for yourself and you life as a whole. Your shop has always been one of my favorites...I'll miss the perfect adorableness of it. You have been a fabulous "shop keeper" and I know that anything that you put your mind to will be fantastic.

[jean]

Best of luck in your new endeavor. I've always been impressed by your talents and I have no doubt we'll see them blossom in a new form.

[judy]

Jena,
I wish you the best of luck as you continue with your future endeavors. I'm sure that just as you did with the shop, whatever you choose to do now will be so fruitful and fulfilling.
Keep me updated on what you're up to, and let me know if there might be anything I could help you out with!

[Simone Walsh]

Jena, I'm way behind with my blog reading, so have only just read this. I can completely relate to what you're saying, being someone who now does little else apart from work, sleep and eat - and effectively having 'broken' myself after working 100+ hours a week for the last couple of years. So the hard questions you've been asking yourself are the same ones I know I need to ask myself too ... when I get time ;P Anyway, congratulations on having made a difficult decision for all the right reasons! And I hope you really enjoy the extra time it makes in your life.

[jaime]

Best of luck and lucky you having more time to yourself! As a blog and shop owner still working a full-time job, I completely understand!!!

[modish]

Aww, thank you thank you everyone. You're all so kind! It's amazing! I appreciate it as it's so scary transitioning into something new, especially since there will be no money coming in along the way (yipes!) but it'll work out hopefully, and beans and tortillas are cheap :)

And wow Jaime, I can't believe you do all this with a full time job too- I quit mine a month after my shop opened, it was just impossible to keep up! You must NEVER sleep! :O