Running a Small Business - August Update 2026

Hi, I'm Susie, the face behind Cards and Crafts by Susie, a small handmade card business based in Australia.

August started with a big round of restocking, with visits to all four of my collectives to make sure my handmade cards and gifts were looking fresh and ready for customers. But there was also a lovely surprise waiting for me. Bridget had taken some of my birthday cards and placed them in the Victor Harbor collective!

It was such an unexpected surprise to discover that my cards had found their way into another collective, but it also meant I suddenly had another range of birthday cards to make and replenish. So, back to the craft table I went! I've been busy creating a whole new batch of birthday cards to make sure there are plenty available for this new location as well as my existing stockists.

• What I've learnt: You never quite know where a small business opportunity might lead. Building relationships with stockists can open doors to new opportunities and help your products reach people you may never have found on your own.
• Tip: Keep building good relationships with the shops that stock your products. Being reliable with restocks and keeping your displays looking fresh can help create opportunities for your business to grow.

One of the biggest focuses this month has been Father's Day. I've been very busy creating and preparing Father's Day cards and getting them ready to be stocked in my shops. Seasonal cards always bring a little extra pressure because there is a deadline to work towards, but I love seeing a collection come together and knowing that my cards will be there for people looking for something special for their Dad, Pop, Grandpa or another special person in their life.

• What I've learnt: Seasonal products require a lot more planning than I sometimes realise. Having the designs ready early gives me more time to make, prepare and restock everything before the important date arrives.
• Tip: Start preparing seasonal products earlier than you think you need to. Giving yourself extra time means you can enjoy the creative process instead of feeling rushed when the deadline gets closer.

I've also been working on some new bunny baby cards. I love creating baby cards because there are so many sweet themes and ideas to play with, and I've been enjoying curating a new little collection of bunny designs.

• What I've learnt: Creating new products doesn't always mean starting from scratch. Sometimes taking a theme people already love and giving it a fresh look can create something completely new.
• Tip: When creating a new collection, think about how the designs will work together as a group as well as individually. A collection with a consistent theme can make it easier for customers to find a style they love.

August has finished with another exciting opportunity that I certainly didn't see coming! Lemon Fizz is opening an online marketplace, giving customers another way to discover and shop from the talented makers within the collective. I've been busily working behind the scenes getting my own products uploaded and ready for the website, which means Cards and Crafts by Susie will now have another place for customers to find my handmade cards, gifts and craft products.

What makes this opportunity even more special is that Claire has also asked me to help some of my fellow Lemon Fizz friends get started on the marketplace. I'll be running some one-on-one sessions and classes to help them set up their accounts and learn how to add their products to the website. I never expected that my own experience with setting up my products would lead to me helping other small businesses do the same, but I'm really looking forward to sharing what I've learnt over the years.

• What I've learnt: As your business grows, you don't just gain new opportunities for yourself, you also gain knowledge and experience that can be shared with others. Sometimes the things you learn while figuring everything out yourself can become something valuable to someone else.
• Tip: Don't be afraid to share what you know. Small business can feel overwhelming when you're trying to work everything out on your own, and sometimes a little help from someone who has already done it can make the process so much easier.

As August comes to a close, I can definitely say it has been a month full of unexpected opportunities. From restocking all of my collectives and discovering my birthday cards had made their way into the Victor Harbor collective, to being busy preparing Father's Day cards, creating new bunny baby cards and now getting ready for the Lemon Fizz online marketplace, there has been plenty happening behind the scenes.

It's exciting to see Cards and Crafts by Susie continuing to grow in ways I hadn't necessarily planned for. I'm learning that running a small handmade business isn't always about following a perfect plan, sometimes it's about saying yes to an opportunity, learning something new and seeing where it takes you. 😊

Thank you for following along with my little business journey and for supporting Cards and Crafts by Susie. I'm excited to see where September takes me!

Susie x