The First Sale!
The First Sale: Laughs, Lessons, and the Birth of Rustic Roots Tables
Every business starts somewhere, and for Rustic Roots Tables LLC, that start was equal parts thrilling and humbling. My first sale wasn’t just a milestone—it was a comedy of errors, a crash course in entrepreneurship, and a moment I’ll never forget.
Looking back now, I can’t help but laugh at the whole experience, but at the time, it felt like the most important day of my life. Spoiler alert: it was also the most expensive lesson I’d learned up to that point.
The Sale That Sparked It All
Let me set the scene. I was still working my day job as a propane service technician. It was just another day driving down some back roads in rural Wisconsin when my phone buzzed. Normally, I wouldn’t check it, but something told me this was different.
And there it was: a notification from Etsy. Someone had purchased a Johnston table for $500.
I nearly drove off the road. My heart raced, my hands shook, and I couldn’t stop smiling. Rustic Roots Tables had officially entered the world of commerce! I felt like I’d won the lottery—little did I know, it was more like I’d just scratched off a losing ticket.
The Mistakes That Made the Man
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the road to success is paved with potholes, and I hit every single one with this first sale. Here’s how it went down:
- Etsy Fees: That $500 table? Etsy kindly took their share, leaving me with $400. Okay, still not bad, right?
- Materials: After sourcing wood and supplies, I was left with about $200. Still holding on to hope here.
- Shipping Shenanigans: This is where the wheels completely fell off. Shipping the table to New Jersey—a state I now associate with financial ruin—cost me $700. Yes, $700.
Do the math, and you’ll see that my “success story” actually cost me a cool $500. Some people lose money in Vegas. I lost it shipping a table.
At the time, it was devastating. I was chasing this big dream, and my first step felt like a stumble off a cliff.
Laughing Through the Lessons
Now, I look back and laugh. How could I not? I mean, who spends $700 to ship a $500 table? That’s the kind of story you can’t make up. But beyond the comedy, this experience taught me some of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned:
- Know Your Costs: Pricing isn’t just about materials; it’s about shipping, fees, and, apparently, your sanity.
- Do the Research: If I had Googled “How much does it cost to ship a table?” I might’ve saved myself a lot of heartache.
- Roll with the Punches: Mistakes don’t define you—they teach you, shape you, and, if you’re lucky, give you great stories to tell.
Inspiration for the Journey Ahead
That first sale wasn’t just the beginning of Rustic Roots Tables—it was the moment I realized I was capable of creating something people wanted. Sure, I lost money, but I gained something far more valuable: a sense of purpose and the drive to keep going.
To anyone out there chasing a dream, let me say this: your first step probably won’t be perfect. It might even feel like a disaster. But those early missteps are where the magic happens. They make you laugh, make you learn, and make you better.
Today, Rustic Roots Tables is stronger because of that rocky start. I’ve learned how to price my tables, handle shipping like a pro, and, most importantly, laugh at myself. After all, if you can’t laugh at your $700 shipping mistake, what can you laugh at?
Moving Forward, One Table at a Time
Every great story starts with a little chaos, and mine is no exception. That first sale was a disaster on paper, but it was the spark that lit the fire for everything Rustic Roots Tables would become.
So here’s to the firsts—the first sale, the first mistake, and the first time you realize you’re doing something bigger than yourself. May they always come with lessons, laughter, and just a touch of comedy.
Carter Kloehn-Founder, Rustic Roots Tables LLC