What My Startup Costs Really Looked Like – The Honest Truth

Hi again! So, in my first blog post here – link, I shared how I got started with my handmade jewellery business, the formal stuff and the basics. Today, I want to get a bit more real and talk about the money side – the costs, challenges, and hopes for the future.

Why I Stuck With Silver Jewellery (Not Gold)

To be honest, choosing to work only with silver wasn’t an overnight decision – it’s been a bit of trial and error. I tried gold pieces too, but I quickly realised that the quality and durability just weren’t up to scratch.

• Gold jewellery I tested started rubbing off really fast. Sadly, many companies just don’t care enough about this, but I think it’s important because customers want jewellery that lasts through everyday wear.

• Lots of gold-plated stuff loses its shine within a few weeks, sometimes at most three months, which isn’t fair on anyone buying it.

• So, I decided to focus on silver because it’s classic, durable, and perfect for daily wear. This way, I can offer my customers jewellery they can trust to stick around.

That choice wasn’t easy or obvious but I believe being honest and sticking to quality is what builds trust in the long run.

Breaking Down The Costs of Running My Handmade Biz

Here’s a look at the main expenses I faced in the first six months, broken down clearly:

1. Paperwork and Online Store

• Accountant and registering the company cost me around €450

• Online shop setup (Shopify fees, domains, subscriptions) cost about €350 per year

• Monthly online tools like Canva and image optimisers are about €25-30

2. Materials and Jewellery Supplies

• Natural stones, pearls, and silver bought wholesale came to roughly €4,000

• Packaging – boxes, envelopes, velvet pouches – set me back about €800

3. Equipment and Office Supplies

• Printers, paper, tapes, scissors, cutters, labels – around €1,000

4. Shipping – Keeping Costs Fair For Everyone

Being a mum and a business owner, I know every cent counts, so I try to keep postage affordable with options:

• A cheap shipping option around €3 or £4 for smaller orders

• Tracking and registered post for about €6 or £4.75 for peace of mind

• Packing all orders nicely and eco-friendly, because that little extra matters

5. Advertising – The Ongoing Expense That Took Me By Surprise

• I spend around €200-300 monthly on ads across Facebook, Instagram, and Google

• Ads are necessary to get noticed, but the results can be unpredictable, and the budget needs to be watched carefully

Final Thoughts and Reflections

• So far, I’ve put about €8-9k into the business overall

• At the end of September, I was about €2,200 in the red, but I see progress and feel hopeful for breaking even soon

• My biggest piece of advice? Take it slow, learn as you go, and don’t rush to spend everything at once

• This business isn’t just about numbers; it’s about passion and making jewellery that makes people happy – and that’s priceless

If you want to check out my best-selling products, click here .

Thanks for reading and sticking with me – it means a lot!