18/09/2024
My Etsy store is closing.
Hey Diabuddies,
After a lot of thought, I’ve decided to wind down my small business. You might ask why now? My shop is doing better than ever before. It’s bitter sweet, running Type 1 Toucan has given me so much joy and support over the years, but with each day less and less. It’s given my diabetes meaning, a purpose, but it’s taken over my life.
Having T1D myself, as well as a husband with T1D, and running a Diabetes company is very tiring. Diabetes consumes my whole existence, and I don’t want that.
I used to get lots of customer photos and feedback which absolutely made my day, but people don’t really do that anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I have so many repeat customers and I really appreciate every single one of you from the bottom of my heart. More and more I get keyboard warriors speaking to me really horribly, I mean reeeally personal, and sometimes it gets to me. Speaking to me in ways they wouldn’t in person. Like saying I shouldn’t run a business if I have ADHD because my items are handmade and my lead times are 1 week +, or that I’m a con-artist if Royal Mail haven’t delivered in 1 day. I don’t know what’s driving this trend, but that’s not what Type 1 Toucan is about. It should be about joy and empowerment.
I’m happy to announce I’ve found a wonderful job back in the corporate world. For my loyal customers, I’ll still be running Type 1 Toucan by password only on my website from the middle of September, with a limited number of orders per week. So back to being my hobby, my passion, my joy. Just simply to add some sparkle and joy to diabetes. And that’s what it’s all about 💙
Patches are still available on my website, but they won’t be around for a whole lot longer.
I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported my small business over all these years. I’ll still be creating and sharing content, and designing new Diabuddies… but just as my hobby now, so hopefully I’ll find the joy in that again.
What a wonderful ride it has been, and still will be, just in a different direction.
Please drop questions or comments below.
Love always,
Em
