Tag: small business journey

  • Taking Our Story Live – Entrepreneurship, Wood, and Real Talk

    Taking Our Story Live – Entrepreneurship, Wood, and Real Talk

    This week in the workshop, something unexpected happened – we got invited to share our story in a whole new way.

    On Saturday, October 4th at 7 PM Eastern (that’s 4 PM here in Arizona), I’ll be joining MVC on The MVC Show for a live TikTok conversation about entrepreneurship, the realities of running a handcrafted business, and what it’s really like to build something from reclaimed wood and pure determination.

    Why This Feels Important

    After more than four decades of Rex turning wood into beautiful things, and several years of us turning that craft into Sarkanys Rising, we’ve learned that the business side of art is just as complex and rewarding as the creative side. The successes, the setbacks, the moments when you’re not sure if you’re building a legacy or just really expensive hobbies – it’s all part of the story.

    MVC reached out after we connected through the Confidence Project, and she’s interested in the real talk behind small business ownership, especially when you’re creating something that can’t be mass-produced or rushed. How do you price handmade work fairly? What happens when health challenges threaten everything you’ve built? How do you stay true to your values while still paying the bills?

    These are the conversations that matter, and honestly, they’re conversations we don’t get to have often enough.

    The Timing Couldn’t Be Better

    This live interview comes just days after we launch our October bundles and baskets sale – a celebration of how individual pieces can come together to create something even more special. It’s perfect timing to talk about how sustainable business practices and quality craftsmanship aren’t just buzzwords for us; they’re the foundation of everything we do.

    We’ll be discussing the challenges we’ve faced this year, how we’ve learned to adapt when plans don’t go according to schedule, and why we believe there’s still a place in this world for businesses that prioritize relationships over transactions.

    What to Expect

    MVC’s approach is refreshingly honest – no scripted questions or polished talking points. We’ll be diving into the messy, beautiful reality of entrepreneurship when your “factory” is a workshop and your “inventory” starts as raw wood that needs to be coaxed into beauty.

    Topics we might cover:

    • How a love for woodworking becomes a sustainable business
    • The unique challenges of veteran-owned enterprises
    • Pricing handmade work in a world obsessed with cheap and fast
    • Building customer relationships that last beyond the purchase
    • What “sustainable business practices” actually look like day-to-day
    • The reality of health challenges when you ARE the business

    Plus, we’ll be taking questions from the live audience, so if there’s something you’ve always wondered about the business side of handcrafted work, this is your chance to ask.

    A Special Thank You

    MVC has been incredibly supportive of small businesses and authentic entrepreneurship, so as a thank you for the platform and the conversation, we’re creating a special discount code just for her community. It’ll be good through our holiday season, lasting until our annual year-end clearance sale that starts December 26th. You have to listen to get it!

    Join the Conversation

    Whether you’re an entrepreneur yourself, curious about the handcrafted business world, or just enjoy authentic conversations about building something meaningful, we’d love to have you join us live on October 5th.

    You can find The MVC Show on TikTok at @the.mvc.show, and the live stream starts at 7 PM Eastern/4 PM Arizona time. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and maybe a cup of coffee – we have a feeling this is going to be the kind of conversation that runs longer than planned.

    Beyond the Live Stream

    This conversation is part of something bigger – our commitment to transparency about what it really takes to build a business that aligns with your values. Too often, entrepreneurship gets painted as either a fairy tale of overnight success or a nightmare of endless struggle. The reality, at least for us, is somewhere in between: challenging, rewarding, frustrating, and deeply satisfying all at the same time.

    We’re excited to share that reality, to answer your questions, and to be part of MVC’s mission to showcase authentic business stories.

    Mark your calendars, follow @the.mvc.show, and get ready for some real talk about entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, and what happens when you decide to build something that matters.

    See you live on October 4th!

  • Behind the Grain: Our Website’s Growing Pains (And Coming Improvements)

    Ever wonder what happens when a woodworker and resin artist try to wrangle the wild world of websites? Well, grab your coffee and settle in—we’ve got a story to share.

    The Workshop vs. The Web

    Here’s the thing about us: Rex can coax beauty from the most stubborn piece of mesquite, and Dawn can create resin magic that makes people stop mid-conversation. But this year? Our website has been more challenging than a piece of burl with hidden cracks. We knew computers before. Now we know too much.

    We’ve been dealing with what we like to call “digital growing pains.” Remember those bot attacks we mentioned? Turns out, when you’re focused on creating beautiful, functional art, the internet sometimes has other plans. We suddenly found ourselves hosting what felt like half the bitcoin universe on our little corner of the web—and none of them were interested in handcrafted cutting boards.

    Learning New Tricks (Even After Four Decades)

    Rex always says you learn something new every day in the workshop, and apparently, that applies to websites too. Through our connection with the Confidence Project Cohort, we discovered there’s a whole science to something called SEO. Who knew?

    We also found an absolute gem in Janice at Odd Duck, whose expertise has been like finding the perfect grain in a piece of reclaimed walnut—it changes everything. Her guidance via blog has already started transforming how we share our story online.

    What’s Coming Your Way

    Just like Rex won’t let a pen leave the workshop until it’s perfect, we’re not settling for a website that doesn’t serve you well. Here’s what we’re working on behind the scenes:

    Smoother Shopping Experience: We’ve been reformatting every page and product listing to make your browsing as enjoyable as running your hands over a perfectly sanded cutting board. If you run into any hiccups beyond variations or bundles (we know about this one!), please let us know at info@sarkanysrising.com—we want to make things right. We are offering a 10% off your order coupon to the people who report an issue the first time!

    Better Accessibility: We’re adding descriptions to all our images so everyone can experience the beauty of our work, whether they can see Dawn’s resin swirls or need to hear about Rex’s precise turning techniques.

    Consistent Storytelling: Every page is getting the same attention to detail that Rex puts into balancing a pen. We want the story of each piece—and our story—to shine through clearly.

    Planned Content: No more scrambling to share updates at the last minute. We’re building a content schedule that lets us share workshop stories, finished pieces, and behind-the-scenes moments with the care they deserve.

    The Reality of Small Business Growth

    Here’s something we’ve learned: when you’re passionate about your craft, everything feels like a priority. Website updates, new product photography, organizing the workshop (there’s currently a roomful of beautiful wood waiting for attention), and actually creating the pieces you love—it’s all important.

    But we’re taking it one step at a time, just like we approach each piece of wood. Some days it’s figuring out the perfect finish for a walnut bowl. Other days it’s untangling website code. Both require patience, attention to detail, and the willingness to start over when something isn’t quite right.

    Our Promise to You

    While we’re working through these improvements, our commitment to you stays the same: every piece we create will be one-of-a-kind, made with care, and backed by our lifetime guarantee. Whether you find us at a Renaissance festival, an art fair, or here online, you’re getting the same quality and personal attention.

    We expect most of these website improvements to be complete in the coming months, but honestly? We’re more interested in getting them right than getting them fast. Just like Rex’s approach to turning—it’s done when it’s done properly.

    Thank You for Your Patience

    If you’ve stuck with us through website hiccups, slow loading times, or any other digital bumps in the road, thank you. Your patience means everything to a small business like ours. Every email, every order, every kind word at a show reminds us why we do what we do.

    As always, if you have questions, need help finding something, or just want to chat about wood grain patterns, we’re here. Technology might challenge us sometimes, but connecting with the people who appreciate our work? That’s the easy part.

    Until next time, keep making beautiful moments in your everyday life.