🎂 Celebrating 3 Years of Indi Arden
Today marks three whole years of Indi Arden, and honestly, I can't quite wrap my head around it. What started out at a little side hustle idea has blossomed into something so much bigger than I ever imagined. This business has grown with me, challenged me and brought me so much joy - and now feels like the perfect time to reflect on the journey so far.
How it all began
Indi Arden started in the simplest way: with my iPad, some sketches and encouragement from others. Back in 2022, I was just sharing sketches on Instagram for fun and the people around me started suggesting that I make prints. So after hearing it enough times, I thought: why not?
So I pulled together 6 designs and released them through Instagram. There was no big plan or fancy launch - just me testing the waters. I had absolutely no idea where it would lead, but hitting "post" on those first products was the moment that Indi Arden was born.
The slow beginnings
Not long after, I set up my Etsy store. I'll be honest - growth was slow. It took a little over a year to hit 100 sales, and I definitely had moments of doubt along the way. But little by little, things started to build. Every order meant (and still does mean) the world to me and every kind message from a customer gave me the push to keep going.
That persistence paid of! Fast forward to today and Indi Arden has grown to 1,800 Etsy sales, with a shiny website of its own and a community of people who actually get what I am trying to create.
What's grown along the way
Over these 3 years, Indi Arden has expanded from prints to stickers, bookmarks, notepads, tea towels and more. I've gone from working quietly behind a screen to showing up at art markets every month, meeting so many of you in person. I've even had the surreal experience of seeing my products stocked in an actual shop - something I wouldn't have believed possible 3 years ago.
But more than the products, it's been about the community. Through social media and this blog, I've connected with people who share a love of creativity, stationary and the joy of little chaotic hobbies. It's become more than a shop - it feels like a space where we're all celebrating creativity together.
Lessons I've learned
Running a business alongside my full time cafe management job hasn't always been easy. I've had to learn how to plan launches in advance (instead of randomly making products when inspiration hit), how to stay organised and how to keep going even when sales are slow. I have realised the important of celebrating the small wins, and that growth is rarely overnight.
One of the biggest lessons has been patience - trusting that consistent effort, creativity and showing up will build something worthwhile over time. And looking back at where I started, I'm proud of how far things have come.
Looking forward
Three years ago, I never thought I'd be where I am now. And yet, this still feels like just the beginning. I have huge ideas for next year - bigger collections, new types of products and even more ways to grow the Indi Arden community. Some ideas feel exciting, others a little scary, but that's the fun of it.
Most of all, I'm excited to keep building this little world I've created - to keep sharing art, stationary and stories, while also carving out space for creativity in the chaos everyday life.
Thank you
Of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible support I've had along the way. From my friends and family who've cheered me on, to the customers who have placed orders, left reviews or simply followed along on social media - every bit of encouragement has meant everything.
So here's to three amazing years of Indi Arden! Thank you for being part of this journey with me - I can't wait to see where the next chapter takes us. The only way from here is up! 🥂
