Wear the Quiet: Quarter 2 Small Business Update

My goal for the second quarter was simple—in theory: build momentum. I envisioned buzzing energy—regular Instagram posts, behind-the-scenes shots of my embroidery learning, and packaging up thoughtful samples for friends and family.

In reality? I hit the ground running in April… then slowed to a quiet crawl by May and June.

Or did I?

The Progress (and Wins!) So Far:

I didn’t realise how much I’d actually done until I wrote it all down:

• Thread tension testing: Finally found a balance (or at least a manageable one!) after a lot of trial and error.
  
• First sample of embroidered jumpers created and gifted on Mother’s Day to my favourite women—Mum and my sisters.
  
• Posted 4 reels on Instagram: It’s not daily content, but it’s a start.
  
• Magnetic bookmarks ready to go: These are set to become cute, thoughtful add-ons to my book-themed embroidered jumpers.
  
• Product testers confirmed: I’ve let a few friends know to expect a surprise jumper + bookmark bundle for feedback.
  
• Finalised selection of jumper colours and brands: This decision took longer than expected, but I’m finally happy with the direction.
  
• Initial Inventory prepped: I now have a small stockpile of jumper sizes from my preferred brands, ready for embroidery.
  
• Tested embroidery designs: I stitched curated patterns from Etsy and Urban Threads, and along the way, I learned the value of using a water-soluble topper—my designs looked sharper and sat beautifully on the fabric.

What Didn’t Happen (Yet):

Some of the “big rocks” didn’t get ticked off:

• Packaging undecided: I still haven’t finalised the boxes, inserts, logo, or overall unboxing experience.
  
• Inconsistent Instagram posting: I only posted 5 times over 3 months. I have the content—what’s missing is the editing and momentum.
  
• Delays in jumper decision-making: Choosing the right fabric, fit, and colour took time. With some suppliers shipping from Europe, orders arrived later than planned and pushed my giveaway timeline.
  
• Missed Etsy listing goal: I aimed for 50 listings but only reached 30. Still progress—but short of the Q2 target.

Lessons from Quarter Two

Toward the end of June, I found myself looking back and feeling like I hadn’t moved fast enough. I was a little deflated—but not defeated.

When I zoomed out and took in the bigger picture, I realised I did make progress. And in the process, I learned some lessons worth keeping.

1. Always remember why you started.

The endless to-dos can be overwhelming. The doubts creep in—"Can I really build a business from this?" I stopped embroidering for two weeks. At one point, I got stuck in a loop, adjusting thread tension endlessly, just to feel like I was doing something—even if it wasn’t moving the needle.

But then I circle back to why I wanted to start this in the first place. There’s a deeper reason behind Wear the Quiet and embroidery, one that’s personal and meaningful to me. I may be a long way from where I want to be, but that reason still holds—and it’s worth remembering every time the path gets foggy.

Begin with the end in mind. ~ Dr. Stephen R. Covey

2. Why will your ideal customer buy from you?

And no, it’s not just because your jumpers are eco-friendly or made with more cotton. Those are great supporting points, but what’s really in it for them?

I recently started listening to The Product Boss podcast (wish I found it sooner!) and it helped me understand this clearly: what does the product do for your customer? What problem or need does it solve? 

Yes, my jumpers have higher cotton count because they translate to quality. Now, the challenge is to communicate this “quality” as a benefit. What does that quality do for them? How does it make them feel?

To see clearly, changing one’s perspective is often enough. ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

3. You could have the best product in the world, but if you don’t talk about it, no one’s going to find it.

This lesson really hit me. I imagine someone discovering Wear the Quiet and thinking, "Yes! Finally, a brand that speaks to me."

But if I don’t post, share, or even talk about what I do, how will they ever find me? The product won’t speak for itself—it’s me who has to speak for it.

Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it. ~ Maya Angelou

4. Simplify the offering.

Just because I can do something doesn’t mean I should. I’ve always chased creative ideas—it's why I’ve dabbled in so many crafting projects over the years. I’ve learned a lot from each one, but I can’t say I’ve truly mastered any.

Recently, I almost let myself buy a UV printer through Kickstarter. The glowing reviews and endless possibilities were tempting—it could unlock a whole new line of products. But, I had to ask myself: am I adding value or creating distraction? I haven’t even fully mastered my embroidery machine. My DTF printer hasn't arrived. And here I was, already planning to add a whole new tool to the mix? I need to focus on a few but relevant action steps.

If you’re easily distracted, brace yourself for many detours. ~ Ernst Ferstl

5. Consistency is key.

A reel here and a post there isn’t going to build much traction. Showing up regularly is what I need to work on—it builds trust, engagement, and confidence– not just in others but in myself. Scheduling time to plan on social media posting is one of the key areas that I will prioritise in the next quarter. 

We are what are repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit. ~ Aristotle