This is Kristen's story... so far
If you looked at the first 12 months of my high-ticket dropshipping business, you wouldn’t think there was a success story hiding underneath.
I launched in January 2024, full of energy and optimism, but by the end of the year I had made just 22 sales. It would have been easy to write it off as a failed experiment — a nice idea that just didn’t take off.
But 2025 told a different story.
This year, I’ve done over 400 sales — and I run my store Easy Breezy Porch Swings full-time.
There was no single hack, no magic funnel, no secret app that flipped the switch. What changed everything? I just kept learning.
Some people think entrepreneurship is about being fearless or having all the answers. It’s not. It’s about being a student. That’s what saved my business.
When things didn’t work (and they often didn’t), I leaned in. I read every article I could find. I watched hours of YouTube videos. I took two different dropshipping courses. I attended webinars, booked demos, joined forums, asked questions, hired a coach, and networked with other store owners. I absorbed everything.
Carol Dweck calls it the Growth Mindset — the belief that skills can be developed through effort, good strategies, and input from others. I lived that mindset every single day.
If there’s one thing I can credit for this shift — it’s the willingness to be endlessly curious and teachable.
Late in 2024, things felt especially bleak. I'd done everything “right” and still couldn't crack the code. Revenue was stagnant. Doubt was loud. I was exhausted.
But I had two very important reasons to keep going: my teenage daughters.
Throughout this journey, I’ve been open with them about the highs and lows of running a business. We’ve talked about perseverance, rejection, uncertainty, and growth. They've seen me cry, troubleshoot, problem-solve, and celebrate.
And when I wanted to quit, I thought about what message that would send.
See, failure I can live with. Failure means you gave it your all, tried everything in your power, and it simply wasn’t the right time or fit. That’s honest. That’s real.
But quitting? Quitting is walking away before you’ve fully discovered what you’re capable of. That I couldn’t model. Not for them. Not for myself.
So I kept going — some days out of grit, some days out of stubbornness, but most days because I knew I was showing them what it looks like to keep showing up.
I’m lucky to call best-selling author John Strelecky a dear friend. He’s shared many wise ideas with me over the years, but one has stuck with me more than any other:
"We rarely have a HOW problem. We have a WHO problem."
What he meant was: if you’re stuck, you don’t necessarily need to figure out how to do something. You need to find someone who already has — and ask them for help.
That idea has changed the way I approach every challenge.
Whether it’s setting up a tech stack, fixing an ad funnel, optimizing my store for conversions, or managing customer support — someone, somewhere has already done it. And more often than not, they’re willing to share. You just have to reach out.
Yes, some people are guarded. But most entrepreneurs are far more generous than we give them credit for. I’ve been amazed by the insight, support, and tactical wisdom I’ve gained just by asking.
If you’re in the trenches of building a side hustle — or considering one — here’s what I’d offer:
Learn like your future depends on it.
Because it does. The people who succeed aren’t the ones who knew the most at the beginning — they’re the ones who never stopped learning.
Remember your bigger WHY.
Business isn’t just about profit. It’s about legacy, identity, and impact. For me, it’s about raising daughters who believe they can create something of their own — and seeing that modeled in real time.
When you feel stuck, find your WHO.
There’s someone who knows what you’re trying to learn. Seek them out. Ask bold questions. Be open. Be grateful.
This entrepreneurial journey is not linear. It’s not easy. But it is worth it.
If you stay in the game — stay a student — and stay aligned with your deeper purpose, you’ll be amazed by what becomes possible.
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