In certain ways I am v. spoiled. Since I was sixteen, love has come very easily. I've never lacked for partners. Success is something that also tends to come somewhat easily for me because I'm a plugger. I'm nominally naturally gifted but I know how to grind which made doing well in school, getting published, finding jobs fairly easily and running a convention *seem* easy. All I had to do was put in the work. Before you start throwing shoes at me, I assure you my character sheet is balanced by the fact that my health sucks and while success is easy, I've never been what you would call good with money so I'm not like, rolling in cash and lead a very modest life, especially by American standards. Starting my craft business was no different. From the gate I've made profit over table consistantly (though sometimes modestly) and I put a lot of time and effort into my brand image, pricing, stocking, finding the right shows, getting good supply prices, etc, etc. I made the biggest soap stock ever for this season for felted soaps (I want to get them back in my Etsy but I sell them too fast at shows which sounds great until all you can hear is "still I felt my soaps all the day" to the tune of "Eli, the Barrow Boy"