Molly and Me
We know what its like buying merchandise online, and if you’re like me- your first question would be; “is this website legit, real, authentic? “ - without having have to go through google search - which most of the time, is like going through a rabbit hole.
I set up this page in our website @www.lovehandmade.nz to answer that question.
Today is the first of June - my birthday week. On the 7th of June 1971 - my amazing parents gave birth to an awesome “me” …
and… on the 14th of February, 2004 - I returned that blessing to the universe by giving birth to an equally amazing daughter..Molly.
While writing this blog Molly just said, “oh, God! - you are so Millennial”
Three years ago, I was made redundant from work. The company where I used to work for (my husband as well) were liquidated, gone to receivership. While the husband is setting up a business of his own - I decided to make bracelets as gifts ( money is tight but I love giving gifts during Christmas and birthdays). Compliments of my handmade gifts and craftmanshift is aplenty; sucker as I am - wink, wink :) - I thought -
“oh my, maybe I can make a business out of this newly acquired talent “ - Serenity Jemz Ltd was set up on the 4th of November 2024 and the website is not far behind.
stop here… breathe …. if you think you are reading a rag to riches story - you are not.
A year and a half of carting gazebo, chairs, tables, merchandise to Local markets on weekend is not easy. Its a lot of work, perseverance, tenacity, patience, tears and don’t even get me started on the fights. Imagine two strong women fighting where is the best place to set up three 3×3 tables at 6 in the morning - whew. Its a hard way to earn a living and I almost gave up.
Some days were good, though most of the time I wonder on why I even show up. We spend money on petrol, lunch, the booking fee but at the end of the day we didn’t always make sales.
And then the day came that I decided to stop going to the market - “it wasn’t worth it” - with the astronomical fuel price, people now spent money wisely - I kept repeating to myself, ‘who am I kidding?’ - in the end I realised I was just looking for a legitimate reason to stop because its easier to just give up rather than persevere.
But then I started to think ‘What kind of mother would I be if I give up now?’ Sometime in the future, Molly will experience a challenging times and I don’t want to hear her say - “I give up, mum” - I want her to be strong, to continue what she thinks is right and best for her no matter how many people tell her otherwise. I want her to decide for herself how to keep going.