Yian's Reflection: A Year of Growth for Ganapati Crafts Co. in 2022

The year 2022 was a year of rapid growth for me, while I achieved many professional milestones, I also struggled to balance my work and personal life.

From Immigrant Identity Crisis to Acceptance: How Meeting People of Different Backgrounds Helped Me

One significant personal breakthrough was coming to terms with my immigrant identity. As a vendor at various markets, I had the opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds, and this exposure made me realize that the United States is a big and inclusive country that coexists with different cultural backgrounds.

Although I still value my Taiwanese heritage, I understand that having the American spirit is what makes one truly American.

In Florida, a state with a history of more than a hundred years, everyone is an immigrant, and the recent influx of out-of-state residents during the epidemic has made me a former resident in comparison.

Growing the Business and Community: Expanding with Consignment Stores in Florida

Last year, I joined three collective stores in Wynwood, Delray Beach, and Jupiter. The Delray Beach store in particular was a great success, and helped me gain a deeper understanding of the local small business community and the preferences of Floridian customers.

Wholesale: Growing Our Brand and Receiving Affirmation

Our wholesale business saw significant growth as our products became available in multiple states across the United States, as well as in markets in Europe and Australia.

Online sales: Letting Go Of Perfection And Embracing The Authenticity

Online sales were stagnant at first, but I made some adjustments and the business took off. I stopped obsessing over professional photos and focused more on fan engagement and consistent update. Also, I made sure our products kept up with market trends and had a story to tell.

Once I let go of my persistent thought that "the picture is not good enough," things started to clear up. As a result of these changes, I was able to put products online more quickly, and advertising became more effective. By increasing my advertising budget, sales soared.

Shipping: The need for expansion and hiring

Despite all these successes, We also faced challenges with shipping and order fulfillment. It became clear that we needed to hire additional staff to manage the workload. As the holiday season approached, we worked long hours, often staying up until 11 pm to complete orders. While it was challenging, we were proud to meet our customers' expectations and deliver quality service.

Looking ahead to the future, I am excited to continue the growth of our business and to further develop my entrepreneurial skills. I am grateful for the support of my customers and the love of my family, and I look forward to what the new year will bring.