🍑
Heyyy peachies ( ◜‿◝ )♡
It's somehow been three months since I last wrote here (how did that even happen?! 😭), and life has been... well, a little bit of everything.
Recently, I've been listening to Leigh Ellexson's podcast, Yeah, Maybe!, and she has a segment called Peaks & Pits that I absolutely love. It got me thinking... why not make it a little peachy? :3
So, welcome to the very first edition of Peaks & Peach Pits! (I'm sorry I couldn't resist the pun 😂) because life isn't all sunshine and ripe peaches, sometimes there are pits too. 🫵🏻😔
Let's start with the Peach Pits. They make the Peaks a little sweeter, don't they? Hehe~ 🍑
🌧️ Peach Pits
1. A slower season than I'd hoped..
Everything's been slower than I expected, but not in the way I wanted it to be.
Sales were slower than usual. I think every small business goes through seasons like this, but they're never any less nerve-wracking when you're in the middle of one. There were days when I'd refresh my shop more times than I'd like to admit, wondering if an order would come through.
Some days it did. Some days it didn't, But! That's just how it goes sometimes. (ง •̀_•́)ง
I don't think enough small businesses talk about how normal this actually is. Social media naturally highlights the exciting launches, packed order photos, and sold out products, but there are quieter seasons too, and they're just as much a part of running a business.
2. My manufacturers have made me question every life decision up to this point. 😂😭
Oh boy! ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ
There have been delays, miscommunications, endless back-and-forth messages, and more than a few moments where I questioned every decision I'd ever made. (If you've ever worked with manufacturers... you probably know exactly what I mean.)
Between one of my manufacturer's machines literally catching on fire (?!?)
∘ ∘ ∘ ( °ヮ° ) ? , misprints, products deciding they'd rather become abstract art than what I actually designed... Every time I get a message from a manufacturer now, I feel just a tiny bit afraid. 😂
Thankfully... every pit has its peak, so keep reading. 👀
3. Learning when to say "no."
(｡ᵕ ◞ _◟) This one was probably the hardest.
I absolutely love conventions and events. They're some of my favorite parts of running CutePeachCo, and they're wonderful for my business, but sometimes protecting your business is the more responsible choice.
There were a few events I desperately wanted to be part of, but when I sat down and looked at the numbers... it just didn't make sense financially and that was a hard pill to swallow because my heart always says go for it while my wallet and spreadsheets say absolutely not 😭😂
I'm slowly learning that saying no to one opportunity sometimes makes room for a better one later. .✦ ݁˖
🌸 Peaks
1. I found new manufacturers!!
Remember that whole "manufacturers testing my sanity" thing? ( • ̀ω•́ )✧
Well... it actually led to something really positive. Over the past few months I've spent countless hours researching, ordering samples, comparing quality, prices, and finishes, trying to find manufacturers that truly match the standard I want for CutePeachCo!
I'm probably a little too picky (okay... definitely too picky 😂), but I genuinely believe that if someone spends their hard-earned money on my art, they deserve something I'm proud to put my name on. I'm so excited to show you all the new goodies I've been working on. 🥹
2. I'M BOOTHING AT ANIME INDIA MUMBAI?! 😭
This one's a huge one. ₍₍⚞(˶˃ ꒳ ˂˶)⚟⁾⁾
Last year I wasn't even able to attend Anime India. I remember seeing all my friends come back with bags full of amazing merch from local artists and having the biggest case of FOMO. 😂
I even remember looking at Artist Alley and thinking,
"Maybe one day that'll be me."
Well...
Apparently "one day" was only one year away?!
I'm incredibly excited (and slightly terrified 😂) to say that CutePeachCo will be vending at Anime India Mumbai! If you're around Mumbai on 28th, 29th or 30th August, please come say hi! I'd absolutely love to meet you. 🥹🍑
3. I GOT FEATURED IN THE HINDU! 😭
This one completely caught me off guard. ( ˶°ㅁ°) !!
CutePeachClub (my little snail mail club 💌) was featured in The Hindu, one of India's oldest and most widely read newspapers, and I genuinely had to do a double take.
Seeing something I've poured so much love into featured there felt... surreal. It was one of those moments where I had to stop for a second and think, "Wait... is this actually happening?" 😭
It's something I'm incredibly grateful for, and definitely one of those moments I'll remember for a very long time.
___
Whew... what a ride.
Looking back, I think these last three months have taught me that running a small business isn't a straight line.
Some days you're refreshing your inbox hoping for an order, and other days you're reading an article about your business in The Hindu. Some weeks you're dealing with manufacturing mishaps, and other weeks you're preparing for your biggest event yet.
I guess that's the beauty of it. 𖹭
It's messy, unpredictable, occasionally chaotic... but it's also incredibly rewarding.
Thank you for sticking around through all of it. Whether you've been here for years or you've just found Peach Mail, I'm really happy you're here. 🩷
___
🍑 Little Joys Lately
Things I've been absolutely obsessed with...
🏎️ Formula 1
I fear there is no saving me.
Every race weekend has me glued to my screen. Races, interviews, team radios... inject it into my veins. 😂
🐈 Maneki Nekos
I'm OBSESSED.
They're just tiny little cats whose entire job is wishing you luck. What's not to love?! Every time I see one I have to stop myself from bringing it home.
🍫 Hazelnut chocolates
This has become less of a snack and more of a personality trait. (Why are hazelnuts so good?? 😭)
📖 Journaling in my Midori & planning in my Hobonichi
This little routine has genuinely been keeping me sane lately. There's something so calming about putting pen to paper.
🎨 Supporting other artists
This is something I try to do every month, whether it's buying a sticker, a print, a keychain, or joining someone's Patreon. As a small business owner myself, I know how much even a tiny order can brighten someone's day.
So! If you have an artist you absolutely adore, I'd LOVE to hear about them! Hit reply and send me your recommendations.
And if you're an artist reading this...
Feel free to shamelessly recommend yourself too. 😂💕
I'd genuinely love to discover more amazing artists and support them whenever I can.
___
🔗 Peachy Links (in case you're curious!)
A few things I mentioned throughout this newsletter in case you'd like to check them out!
🍑 Leigh Ellexson's podcast, Yeah, Maybe!
🎫 Anime India, Mumbai (get your tickets here!)
🩷 The Hindu feature, CutePeachClub
💌 CutePeachClub (if you'd like to join my little snail mail adventure!)
🍫 Hazelnut Choccies I've been obsessed with
None of these are sponsored or gifted. They're just things I genuinely love and wanted to share with you. 🩷
___
If you've made it all the way to the end of this newsletter... thank you. Really! :3 Whether you've bought a sticker, joined CutePeachClub, shared my work with a friend, or you're simply here reading my ramblings every now and then, it genuinely means the world to me.
Every order, comment, kind word, every little bit of support helps me keep creating, and I don't think I'll ever be able to fully express how grateful I am for that.
I hope life is treating you kindly, and if it isn't, I hope there are brighter days waiting just around the corner. 🩷
OH! and before you go!
🍑 Peach Question: What's one thing you've been completely obsessed with lately? It could be a snack, a hobby, an artist, a TV show, literally anything. Hit reply and let me know, I'd love to hear about it (and maybe discover a few new favorites too!).
Stay Peachy,
Viola | CutePeachCo 🍑
P.S. You can reply to this email! I read every single response, and some of my favorite conversations have started because someone simply hit "Reply." So don't be shy, I'd absolutely love to hear from you. 🩷
