The Little Red House is 9!
Time definitely goes by with just 1 blink!
II vividly remember when I graduated in 2009, deep in the financial crisis. The first thing I decided was to take a break from school. The second thing I decided was that I would like to have a side hustle that could pay for everything that's not living basic, such as good food. With that decision in my head, the first job that I picked up is actually working at a daycare in foster city. IT WAS THE BEST TIME I HAVE! Laughter everyday! Within also this year in 2009, I tried my first booth at APE, Alternative Press Expo. It was eye opening, but thats it ! I also feel like okay thats all I would do, so I do it relaxingly.
How I start before I REALLY STARTED?
Thats what Passage one and I sold at 2011!
Fast forward to March 2010, the individual secured their first concept art job at Playdom, later transitioning to Disney Interactive Media Group. A decision was made with a craft friend, @passage one, then known as Buluchu. They attended numerous craft shows in the Bay area to determine the best fit for their work. Despite selling different items, including jewelry, both persisted until 2014. Uncertain about their direction, they decided to pause and regroup together.
A New Idea! A Rebrand! The birth of The Little Red House
First Renegade Craft Fair after rebrand in 2015!
At that time, I started to take a lot of greeting card classes, business classes, and most importantly Trade show Bootcamp, now proof to product, and decided to start a brand new thing, Stationery focused brand The Little Red House. So, starting from July 19, 2015, I decided to aim for a debut at the National Stationery Show in 2016.
A Serious Start!
One of the Formal Craft Show before I decided to go to NSS in 2016
Because of taking the TSBC class, I know I aim to scale my small stationery business, for how big? I do not know!!!! I do know its going to be a business that has system, pipeline, and scalable. 2016 we started National Stationery Show! I definitely has all the great bestest friends that I can get! A few of us including Elda from @thousandskies, Elda’s friend Tabitha, Tracey from @passageone went to new york with me! Also had Tony Bui from @tonybuifanclub sharing a bigger booth with me! That was the real start of The Little House. Right before I commit to NSS, I also started to rant a studio with Genevieve from @lepetitelefant. Later on, Angie from @bobodesign joined. This was truly a pivotal year for me!
our first booth at NSS!
Tough Journey
our 2018 japanese stationery show ISOT’s booth!
Setting up a business is never a smooth journey, especially if you are a business owner. It involves significant challenges and setbacks. Despite the excitement of attending the ISOT trade show in Japan in 2017, there were hidden financial struggles. Each trade show demanded around $12,000 USD, a hefty sum that drained my savings. Without a wealthy background or family support, the financial burden was immense. Attending NSS in 2016 and 2017 followed by ISOT in Japan spiraled costs further, with ISOT alone costing approximately $16,000 USD. While I secured an order from All Port Edition at ISOT, exceeding the budget dampened the success.
Returning from Japan, I immeidately landed a job at an ed tech company, stabilizing my finances and sustaining The Little Red House. Balancing work, order packaging, and weekend craft shows rejuvenated the business. Despite the costly trade shows, they proved instrumental in expanding our accounts. The experience prompted me to caution similar small business owners about the high investment and uncertain returns of trade shows. The cycle continued positively, leading to Natalie joining as our first studio assistant in autumn 2017, a valuable team member to this day.
The Upside down!
Our Last Booth before the pandemic!
Until February 2020, we participated in our last tradeshow before the pandemic. It was the first time we made a profit from a tradeshow, or so we thought. I made the decision to leave my day job once again. Then, in March 2020, shelter in place happened! Our largest new account at NYNOW winter simply disappeared. Despite having our inventory ready to ship, we were left in limbo. In response, we pivoted once more and had to reduce everyone's hours. We refocused our business solely on retail. If you've been following me during this period, you may have seen my daily live painting sessions on Instagram Live. It was a rewarding experience! I cannot express how much joy it brings me to be an artist whose work is appreciated by others 🎨 Thank you all!
Life changing event!
Me! a week before I deliver!
2021 Summer, I thought I might need to have IVF? In fact, I already scheduled an appointment! The same week I thought I might as well practice going back to the workforce again to get better insurance and a cash cushion. The same week, I did make that decision and interview. The moment that I accepted the offer, the next day I realized I am pregnant. Then everything came into reality! EPS, I am gonna have one of the biggest money pits in my life ever XD. Things were going well though; I love my job, and the business keeps on doing well. I hired a wholesale manager to handle everything, and I have a new fulfillment girl to help with anything shipping. Thanks! Emily and Jenny.
2022, March I gave birth and everything is still going extremely well. During the pandemic, we actually doubled, almost tripled our revenue compared to 2019. In 2022, I also decided to change jobs! A cause that I agree with so much! Also, Arley is my money pit XD.
The Third New Start?
2 weeks before I start my new job! Our New Studio in the making!
The beginning of 2023 showed promise, but as February approached, I noticed a significant change. Our Instagram engagement decreased, campaign engagement dwindled, and online sales experienced a 50% drop. Show sales also declined by at least 20%. By the end of 2023, due to our loss of direction, even our long-time representative had to part ways (though they were truly exceptional; it was my mistake). Juggling a startup job and motherhood, my artistic output decreased significantly. 2023 was an incredibly challenging year for us, and we barely made it through.
Nothing can stop us! we are the warriors of hardship
This year 2024, I made a decision to update a lot more art!, go to craft shows, update our stationery line! Our team was absolutely amazing! We now have a occasion help of Graphic design from Ranelle, Wholesale we have Emily, Fulfillment and operational we have Amanda, and of course Natalie to fill in all the gaps! My team, actually suggested and operated a second sale! A more systematic way to track inventory, Thanks Trunk inventory. They also suggested me to maybe do a Good Bye Sales and take on that effort to set up pages wholesale and retail. If to concluded The Little Red House business up till today! I think my luckiest element that contribute to today’s business is always always PEOPLE! Great customers and the best teammates EVER!
Please join us to celebrate this heart warming moment and use code : forever20 for 20% off on Any items!
It's a long letter to you all, but I am very glad to have you all in the past years! Hope that we won't disappoint you all when we celebrate 10 years next year!!!!!
