Running a Small Business - March Update 2026

The first few days of March were filled with custom orders, fresh designs spread across my work table, and the familiar rhythm of restocking handmade cards ready for Lemon Fizz here in Adelaide. It’s that quiet kind of busy, the kind where you look up and realise hours have passed, but there’s paper scraps everywhere and something new has taken shape.

There’s been a mix of the everyday and the special. A large get well soon card that needed just the right balance of warmth and care.

 A sweet little batch of bunny lollipop holders for my niece’s class birthday, the kind of project that’s equal parts chaos and joy.

Somewhere in between, real life carried on too, with girls’ sports day and all the little moments that pull you away from the craft table (in a good way).

What I’m learning: Not every part of this business has to be perfectly planned to be meaningful. Sometimes the smaller, more personal projects are the ones that remind me why I started.

Behind the scenes, there’s been a steady push to keep shelves full, restocking at Harbour Collective, adding number cards into Blackwood, and refreshing my display at Lemon Fizz Mt Barker with all things Easter. It’s a constant cycle of making, packing, and reshuffling… then doing it all again. 😊

What I’m learning: Consistency matters more than bursts of motivation. Even when it feels repetitive, showing up and keeping stock moving is what keeps everything ticking along.

And then there are the new ideas quietly making their way in. ☺️

New Easter cards have started to take over the workspace, along with some extra special designs, including first birthday cards and a few particularly cute Easter pieces that I couldn’t help but make. There’s something about this season that leans into softness and colour, and I find myself following that without overthinking it.

What I’m learning: I don’t always need to overthink new designs. Trusting my style and what feels right in the moment often leads to the best results.

One of the biggest (and most unexpected) moments so far came through an email — a request for 100 origami roses, carefully arranged into a bouquet for someone’s final Fringe performance. It was one of those “of course I said yes” moments… followed quickly by “okay, let’s figure this out.” Big, a little daunting, but exactly the kind of opportunity that reminds me why I love what I do.

I also have little origami rose bouquets of 10 roses up in the shop.

What I’m learning: Saying yes to opportunities can feel uncomfortable, but they’re often where the most growth happens.

March hasn’t been all work though. In the middle of it all, Ben and I celebrated 18 years of marriage a moment to pause, even briefly, and take that in. Eighteen years. It feels both long and fast at the same time! 🥰

What I’m learning: It’s important to stop and celebrate the milestones, even when life feels busy.

And then there’s a piece of this month that sits a little quieter, but means just as much.

I’ve started creating daffodil bouquets now available in my shop, with 50% of each sale going towards cancer research. This one is personal. My sister is currently going through cancer, and while there’s no neat way to hold something like that, this feels like a small way to do something with it. To turn it into a bit of purpose.

What I’m learning: My business can be more than just products, it can also be a way to give back and support something deeply personal.