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Topic: Taking Risks in Business—How a $30,000 Bet Changed My Life

Welcome back to The Marketing and Heart Podcast! Today, we’re diving into risk-taking—the kind of leap that makes you wonder if you’re on the edge of a breakthrough or a total misstep. I’m sharing one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken in my jewelry business, The Wicked Griffin, and the lessons that came with it. If you’re feeling stuck or are on the fence about a big decision, this one’s for you.

Let’s go back to when my business was thriving but wearing me down. Orders were nonstop, and every piece was hand-made from morning to night. Even when I was pregnant, I kept up this cycle, pushing myself past exhaustion.

I’ll never forget one particular night: eight months pregnant, hunched over my workbench at 8 p.m., trying to saw through a thick piece of silver with hours of work still ahead. I was grateful my business was doing well, but I was also breaking under the pressure. That night, I told myself that something had to give.

That’s when I decided to invest in a laser engraver—a $30,000 purchase, straight from my profits. I didn’t take out a loan or have a backup plan. It was just me, my business, and a huge leap of faith. I was terrified, but I knew this change was necessary if I wanted to keep my business and sanity intact.

When the engraver finally arrived, it felt like a weight had been lifted. I wasn’t spending endless hours on each piece anymore, and I finally had time to breathe. That single decision allowed me to rearrange my workflow and made my business sustainable.

Looking back, it was a life-changing decision. But that risk, scary as it was, taught me something crucial: to grow, you have to be willing to take a leap.

Of course, not every risk pans out. I’ve had my share of misses, too. I once bought a $4,000 Glowforge that now just gathers dust in a spare room—a great idea that never took off. But that’s the reality of taking risks.

Each decision, whether it works out or not, teaches something valuable. The key is to learn from each one and keep moving forward.

So, here’s where I want to turn this back to you. Think about the risks you’re holding back from right now. Is there a decision you’ve been hesitating over because you’re unsure how it’ll turn out?

Maybe it’s an investment in a new tool or exploring a new marketing strategy. Whatever it is, ask yourself: What’s the best that could happen if this pays off? Then think about what you would need in place to take that step with confidence.

Remember, risk is part of growth, and sometimes the only way to know if something will work is to try it. Every step you take, big or small, contributes to building momentum.

Running a handmade business is no small feat. Risks—big or small—are a natural part of the journey. And when you step outside your comfort zone, you give yourself the chance to grow in ways you couldn’t have planned.

If this episode hit home and you’re ready to take your business to the next level, I’ve got something that can help you take that first step. Download my free Mad Hatter’s Guide: The Proven Strategy to Drive More Visitors to Your Etsy Shop or Website with Blogging. It’s a guide that can help you bring more traffic to your site in a way that builds your own brand, outside of relying on platforms like Etsy.

Head over to marketingandheart.com to grab the guide and start building a traffic source you can control.

If you’re ready to make a change in your business but feeling a little nervous, remember that taking risks is often the only way to grow. It’s not about getting everything right—it’s about being open to what’s possible.

And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with another handmade business owner who could use some encouragement. Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes!