The Writer’s Journal - A New Journey

Hello Darling,

Tonight I want to share a little bit about the adventure I’ve been on these past few months.

I began a new endeavor in 2021. For months I planned, saved and mulled over every outcome I could think of with starting this new chapter….in October I filed all the paperwork and started my own company.

While I will continue with my current day job as Chief Operations Officer, I wanted to branch out to something that aligns more closely with my personal style.

Brimstone&Bone, Co. is an alternative shop for the people who love Halloween/Autumn every day of the year. We have products like candles called, “Hocus Pocus” and “Practical Magic”, a limited edition pullover sweatshirt with a graphic of a zombie bear eating a brain shaped heart (nicknamed Teddy 🖤 Brains) & other items like a necklace that looks like a gold anatomical heart.

Weird. Dark. Unapologetic

Graphic Art © Brimstone&Bone,Co

I was anxious about pursuing this new path. The usual doubts crossed my mind.

1) Would anyone shop with me? — Yes. Apparently dozens of people want to shop with me. Even I’m still a little shocked. While sales are slow to build up, as expected, I’m still giddy from the first sales I made following the launch on New Years Day.

2) Would I land wholesale accounts I really wanted? Yes. In fact, I opened multiple accounts already with some of my top favorite brands & have lined myself up for prospective accounts as B+B grows over the next year.

3) Could I really design and produce my own merchandise? Yes - While I’ve been accustomed to the wholesale/resale market, the roles as designer and handling production is a little new for me. While I have a plethora of ideas I want designed, I’m no artist. I put my shy-tendencies aside and reached out to friends who work closely with digital artists to seek their recommendations for finding artists for hire in a legitimate and safe setting. After following their suggestions, I was able to successfully find an artist for hire and proceeded with our first limited edition B+B pullover. I’m still working out more of the production process, weighing more options, learning new things daily.

Even though I weighed every single one of my hundreds of doubts before I filed my paperwork in October, I knew in my core that I was ready for this new business and I was ready to make the leap. With the support of my friends and family, I tackled the start up process and I’m so glad I did!

Oftentimes, I catch myself using the royal “we” in explaining things I’ve done at or for B+B, because it feels odd constantly taking the credit for all of this, but ultimately it’s just me behind the scenes. Every once and awhile I rope my husband in to ask for his assistance with lifting something - or giving me his opinion on a design or layout but he constantly reminds me (in a very loving way) that this is my adventure to have.

Acquiring products was surprisingly easy. I was so intimidated by the idea of being the new kid on the block but I’ve been able to successfully connect to brands/vendors. Brands I always admired are now on a first-name bases with me, and I fangirl often over ordinary conversations. With what little I had to work with (in finances and space), B+B is able to maintain a decent amount of stock on hand and we also have a handful of pre-order options available now. But most of all when it comes to products, I look forward to growing the B+B made merchandise list.

I added new features to the site like restock notifications via email for customers and even a wishlist feature. These seemingly little add-ons work wonders to keep me in-sync with what people are looking for and was a high-demand request from the get-go.

One of the exciting moments to come is our Subscription Box. Each box will include an exclusive B+B item (for example, the February box has the Teddy 🖤 Brains pullover). With this launch, I am also working on customized planners and journals and hope to share more details regarding this special project by next weekend.

While the style of the site will always feel like a work-in-progress for me, something I was sure of was how adamant I wanted to be about trying to provide eco-friendly shipping options. I mainly use recyclable materials (and re-use good shipping materials such as bubble-wrapping, paper filler) and I share more information on the website about which companies I use to make it all possible.

In addition, I strive to find other small businesses to purchase inventory from. I try to support those who are passionate about helping/giving back to their communities, as I hope to build up to that ability. One company we recently stocked with donates a portion of their profits per transaction to Domestic Violence Shelters in L.A. And others donate returned, lightly damaged or used merchandise to foundations who support homeless families.

I look forward to the progress of Brimstone&Bone, Co. in 2022 and am excited to see where this new path takes me as I move further into the last year of my twenties & on with the next chapter of my life.

Until Next Time,

M.E.

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