Witchvox Article

Author: Nephthys Darkmoon
Posted: October 18th. 2009
Times Viewed: 1,985

Yes � That is the question. I often thought, and believed, that if you were passionate about something, really believed in it, you could be successful. It seems that is all you ever hear growing up, and after years of knowing it and hearing it, you someday decide to put it into practice. But the question is � Can passion for your work really make you a success?

The answer is No.

Now that may surprise some people, we all want to believe that passion can make us successful and I am not saying it doesn�t, for some people. But sometimes passion can get you a little of the way there � just not to the end. Pagan business is a large business, there are plenty of stores online, on eBay and in the bricks and mortar form, all individual, all offering something different if they are handmade, but at the same time offering items that are all the same.

Why is this? Because we all buy from the same wholesale sources, there is no secret list that only one person knows, there is no wholesaler out there that deals with only one reseller. It�s the way the world works, so it becomes a cut throat competition, everyone undercutting others to get the best possible price, sometimes the profit margin is less than successful, and less than what it should be � all because we want this to be our life�s work, our long term business, the thing that sustains us and helps us create the life we want.

It�s a dream, a dream I have and a dream I understand. I want this to be my life�s work; I want to be a successful Pagan business owner. I want the fantastic website that draws people back all the time, I want the huge customer base that buys only from me and ignores all those other competing businesses on the net. I want to own a bricks and mortar store and I dream that this is how my life will be � One Witch living out her life�s passion as a business and being successful at it, having her business be her only source of income, and being that is it is her only source of income does not bother her because she is so successful, so wonderful and living her dreams happily ever after.

Sounds great huh? This is where this little Witch comes back to reality and realizes that this may not happen; she may have to get the regular 9-5 to make ends meet and have her business as a sideline because currently she sells only on eBay, she wants her own spectacular store but unfortunately for her, money does not permit right now. She is making enough from eBay to funnel back into her business, but the stellar, out there, amazing and magickal profits?

They haven�t materialized yet, but this little Witch perseveres, she comes up with original ideas that no one else is doing, she tries to vary her stock, and she always tries to stay positive, believing that one day this will happen and she will have her dream.

I own and run an eBay store that is tailored to the Pagan/Wiccan community. I started small with a little 15-herb pack and that worked well for a while, until competition reared its ugly head and suddenly there were packs of herbs ranging from 40 � 60 herbs. No way could I compete with that. I wasn�t at a stage in my life where I could come up with the cash to build bigger.

Luckily, as fate would have it, down the line I was able to borrow some money and from there I tried to grow. I bought candles, smudge sticks, incense and books. It doesn�t sound like much and it isn�t really in hindsight, but it did give me one valuable thing � repeat customers. They are the best things for any business, people who will come to you because you have something to offer that they want and they know the service is good and the product is fantastic quality.

From my small stash of new items I was able to put together little beginner kits, with candles, herbs, incense, a smudge stick and a couple of other accessories. They sold really well, every time I put one up for auction the response was amazing, but again, that monster called competition raised its ugly head and those who were in a better position than I to put more in a kit like this, saw my idea and ran with it. Alas, the beginner Altar Kit was no more for me. I couldn�t compete with others.

The thing is � I started quite before some of my fellow Metaphysical sellers and they are now Powersellers... and me? Not so much. I don�t even know if I will get there any time soon. I hope so, I want to.

But there are lessons learned along the way that are invaluable, so while I am now at the end of my rant I will say this:

1) Know your market and know what they want

2) Research. Research. Research. � Look at other sellers and other online stores; see what they are selling and what makes them unique. EBay is a much better forum to do this because you can look at feedback and see what people are buying.

3) Advertise, but only as your budget allows

4) Make sure you deal with reputable Wholesalers

5) Always make sure you deal with customers respectfully and promptly � trust me they will be back

Those are my pearls of wisdom when entering the Pagan/Wiccan business arena. Now don�t get me wrong, I love what I�m doing and I wouldn�t change it for the world � okay perhaps I would want it to be bigger and better, but that will come with time, expense and hard work. The passion is there and it is strong, the will to succeed even more so. And I firmly believe I will.

My advice to all fledgling business owners and those about to start their own is: Don�t give up. Don�t let the failures turn you from your path, others may sell more, have a nicer website, a bigger customer base but in time that will come to you as well.

You have to believe that you will succeed, you have to believe that there is a place in the market for you and people will appreciate your store, your items, you.

So in the end I say can passion alone for your work make you a success? No. But it sure helps.

ABOUT...

Nephthys Darkmoon

Location: Laura, South Australia

Author's Profile: To learn more about Nephthys Darkmoon - Click HERE

Other Articles: Nephthys Darkmoon has posted 2 additional articles- View them?

Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE

Email Nephthys Darkmoon... (No, I have NOT opted to receive Pagan Invites! Please do NOT send me anonymous invites to groups, sales and events.)

Home - TWV Logos - Email US - Privacy

News and Information

Chapters: Pagan/Heathen Basics - Pagan BOOKS - Traditions, Paths & Religions - Popular Pagan Holidays - TV & Movies - Cats of the Craft - Festival Reviews - Festival Tips - White Pages (Resources) - Issues/Concerns - West Memphis 3 - Witch Hunts - Pagan Protection Tips - Healing Planet Earth

Your Voices: Adult Essays - Young Pagan Essays - Pagan Perspectives (On Hold) - WitchWars: Fire in the Craft - Gay Pagan - Pagan Parenting - Military - Pagan Passages

Pagan Music: Pagan Musicians - Bardic Circle at WitchVox - Free Music from TWV

Vox Central: About TWV - Wren: Words, Wrants and Wramblings - Guest Rants - Past Surveys - A Quest for Unity

Weekly Updates: Click HERE for an index of our weekly updates for the past 6 years

W.O.T.W. - World-Wide Networking

Your Town: A Link to YOUR Area Page (The largest listing of Witches, Pagans, Heathens and Wiccans on the Planet)

VoxLinks: The Pagan Web: 8,000 Listings

Your Witchvox Account: Log in Now - Create New Account - Request New Password - Log in Problems

Personal Listings: Pagan Clergy in Your Town - Adult Pagans - Young Pagans - Military Pagans

Events: Circles, Gatherings, Workshops & Festivals

Covens/Groups/Orgs: Local Groups Main Page

Other LOCAL Resources: Local Shops - Regional Sites - Local Notices - Global/National Notices - Local Skills & Services - Local Egroups - Political Freedom Fighters

Pagan Shopping: Online Shops Index - Original Crafters Sites - Auction Sites - Pagan Wholesalers - Pagan Local Shops

Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2013 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.

Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.

Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.

Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.

Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.

Witches, Pagans
of The World

Current Topic
Editorial Guide

NOTE: The essay on this page contains the writings and opinions of the listed author(s) and is not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Witches' Voice inc.

The Witches' Voice does not verify or attest to the historical accuracy contained in the content of this essay.

All WitchVox essays contain a valid email address, feel free to send your comments, thoughts or concerns directly to the listed author(s).