02/01/2025
I've not posted in a long while, but I received a special order recently that deserves its own post.
In case you didn't know... Copper Koala Designs is not my day job. It's something I started as a creative outlet to relieve stress. I didn't expect to get more than an order here and there, if any. I wouldn't even call this a "side hustle," because I'm not hustling, I'm just having fun. I told myself I would keep it running only if I managed to break even on expenses to pay for my design service subscriptions and Etsy listing fees. Any additional profit would be a pleasant bonus. I'm not raking in the dough, but I'm in the green and still at it over two years later. My absolute favorite thing to do is to create custom orders. I've had many family and friends support me by giving me opportunities to create for them, and customers have frequently reached out through my Etsy shop to ask me for custom designs/products.
Recently, I received a custom order request via my shop. My day job has been eating my lunch lately and I didn't think I'd even have the time to complete a custom order. But, I always try to come through for my customers, so I checked it out. When I read this particular request, my jaw dropped. It was a customer requesting my best-selling design, but instead of a coffee mug they wanted it as a digital file to print on their own. That is not typically something I do, but let me tell you, when I read their "why", their request immediately moved into the VIP, "make this happen" category in my brain. I made time between all my other responsibilities to get the design into a printable format within mere hours of their inquiry, and fulfilled their order. (If you've read this far, I'm getting to the point, I promise...)
Well, folks. This ONE order made a dream I never even knew I had, come true. Everyone who knows me knows that I LOVE the sitcom Frasier. In fact, a mug inspired by the show is the first physical product I ever listed and is the aforementioned best-selling design. The customer made me a promise to me when they ordered (so kind of them), and last night they followed through.
The custom order, printed design? It was for a meet & greet event with Kelsey Grammer. She was taking it to get his autograph. Frasier, the good doctor himself, signed MY design 🥹 What an honor. Not only did a customer enjoy my design enough to purchase it, they chose it to be the object they took to have autographed by the very person who inspired it.
Profit was never my main goal. I've continued holding to my principle of keeping the pressure off myself by maintaining my shop as a fun hobby and creative outlet. Now, however, it has reached a new status for me. One I did not even aspire to, but one that I have reached nonetheless. I am so incredibly flattered and honored. The sheer glee I feel from this? Well, that feels like true success to me.
Blaire from Kansas, if you're reading this: you're a real gem. You helped this little Oklahoma girl achieve something she never even knew was possible, and it means the world. Thank you 🤎
