Happy May, friends! 🌸
We’ve officially stepped into what I consider the best month of the year, though I might be a little biased since tomorrow is my birthday! But even beyond that, May always feels like a month of full bloom. Flowers are blossoming, new ideas are taking root, and for me, this season has been especially full of fresh growth.
In my last blog post, I hinted that I was considering some shifts in my business. A few seedlings of new ideas were planted then, and now, I’m in a season of nurturing them into a thoughtful action plan.
A Look at the Current Landscape
When I first started Annie Sharae Creations, I primarily focused on creating products directly for consumers. For the past two years, that approach has brought some wonderful moments: connecting with customers, launching collections, and seeing my creations find homes across the country.
But if I’m honest, the consistency hasn’t always been there. Some months are strong; others are quiet, which is natural for a print-on-demand business. Trends shift, customer needs change, and relevancy is always something you have to work for.
Lately, though, I’ve realized that managing this type of model long-term doesn’t align with how I want to feel as a creative entrepreneur. I’m someone who thrives when I feel energized and personally connected to my work. Over the last few months, I’ve noticed that the spark is starting to dim a little, and that’s my sign that it’s time to pivot.
Shaping the Future
As I step into the second year of this journey, I’m incredibly grateful for the entrepreneurs, mentors, and programs that have poured into me. Without those experiences, I don’t think I would have been brave enough to rethink the direction of Annie Sharae Creations.
When I envision the kind of entrepreneur I want to be, I know two things: I want my work to be impactful, and I want it to feel personal.
Working recently on a client's fitness notebooks showed me how much I love the collaborative side of creation. Sitting down with someone, hearing their vision, and then designing a product just for them lit a creative fire I didn’t even know was missing. Every conversation during those meetings unlocked design ideas I never would have come up with on my own.
Because of that, I’ve decided to shift Annie Sharae Creations toward serving small businesses and entrepreneurs rather than focusing solely on consumers. I'll still be creating beautiful, purposeful products — but now with a much more personal, partnership-driven approach.
The nitty-gritty details are still coming together, but I feel excited and energized by this next chapter.
What’s Next?
June is shaping up to be a big month: I’ll be wrapping up my first client project, gathering feedback, and capturing some final images of the work.
This project will be the foundation for building a portfolio and shaping a new brand story for Annie Sharae Creations. I can't wait to share the process with you!
That said — just because I’m pivoting doesn't mean the fun creative projects are disappearing forever. I'll always leave room for joy-filled creations... they just won't be the core of the business anymore.
Final Thoughts
I titled this post Knowing When to Pivot because truthfully, this isn’t the first — or even second — time I’ve adjusted my business vision.
This entire journey has been a living, breathing learning experience. When I started two years ago, Annie Sharae Creations was built around music posters and wall art, and now, that’s something I only offer through custom orders.
There have been moments of doubt and discouragement. But more than anything, I’m proud of myself for sticking with it.
It might sound cliché, but continuing is so much harder than quitting — and I’m committed to continuing.
Here’s to planting new seeds and trusting the growth that’s ahead.
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