It's the last week before Christmas, I hope that you have a restful and enjoyable time whatever you're doing.
Chances are that if you're a maker, creative or freelancer, this month and the lead up to the busiest time in the year for retail, you're pretty knackered and have been burning the candle at both ends to capitalise on this busy period.
Now's the time to take note and ask yourself these questions:
How well did I manage my stock levels? What might I do the same or differently next year?
Am I happy with my prices? Did I feel resentful selling X item at that price, or feel a bit icky for charging too much?
What markets were good and which were not so good for me? What would I like to do more of next year?
What was the busiest weekend for me in November and December?
Where did I sell more - online or in-person?
What were my top-selling products?
How much did I pay in fees to Etsy, eBay, Not On The High Street etc.?
What tasks drained my energy and I could outsource next year?
Take a moment to jot down some ideas - business is about evolution, pivoting and refining. Stepping outside of the hamster wheel of trade can allow for perspective to make improvements and enhance our profitability.