10/22/2025
Lesson learned 📝
As if running a small business isn’t hard enough already, navigating through this type of BS is giving me more head bangs on the wall.
I will preface this by saying I did realized its ultimately my fault for jumping the gun on making her cake toppers without her payment first 😔
But she sent a custom order request, and was so friendly, and wanted to rush the order because she needed it within 10 days. She agreed on the price, and was quick to reply on all my questions for the next couple of days. She loved the mock ups and was active in making adjustments, then ask me to send the invoice.
Then, crickets 🦗…
I waited a full day, and decided to start on her order because the deadline was coming up, and I wanted her to receive it on time. The way she engaged during the ordering process showned signs of full committment. I figured she was busy with her day, and will place the order that night.
Then, her cake toppers were completed, but her payment never came in, and she was unreachable.
I know many shops will request payment even before mock ups are provided. Even after this incident, I still will provide mock ups before payment, because I want to be sure you see value, and are happy to pay for the custom work I provide. But I will no longer produce without payment. We already have too much to juggle as handmade business owner, we don’t need the heartache of getting ghosted after we poured our hearts out to provide good customer service.
So, please DM if you like to take this cake topper off my hands for discounted price 😅
