The Challenges and Rewards of Starting a Customization Business
Starting a customization business is an adventure. It’s exciting, frustrating, rewarding, and downright exhausting all at the same time. When I launched Perry Design, I knew I had a passion for creating unique, high-quality custom gifts, awards, and promotional items. But let me tell you, passion is just the beginning. There’s a whole world of challenges that come with running a business like this, but the rewards? They make it all worth it.
The Challenges:
1. Finding the Right Equipment and Materials
Customization requires precision, and that means investing in quality equipment. My Xtool P2S and Xtool F1 have been game changers, but getting to the point of knowing which machines fit my needs took research, trial, and error. And those are just the beginner equipment. Then there’s sourcing materials, quality matters, and you don’t want to cut corners when clients trust you to deliver premium products.
2. Pricing the Work
Pricing is tricky. You want to stay competitive while making sure you’re not undervaluing your time, materials, and creativity. It took time (and lots of spreadsheets) to get my pricing right. I had to factor in not just material costs but also labor, machine maintenance, and, of course, profit. Learning how to communicate the value of custom work to potential clients was another challenge, but once people see the craftsmanship, they get it.
3. Balancing Orders and Growth
One day, you’re wondering where your next order is coming from. The next, you’re drowning in projects and wondering how you’ll keep up. It’s a constant balancing act. Since Perry Design is still a part-time venture for now, managing large contracts while ensuring every small order gets the same attention to detail is something I navigate daily. Growing too fast without the right systems can be overwhelming, so I’m always working on refining my process.
4. Marketing and Reaching the Right Audience
Instagram Reels, giveaways, networking, it all takes time. Building an audience that truly connects with your work isn’t just about posting pretty pictures. It’s about storytelling, consistency, and building trust. I’ve learned that people don’t just buy products; they buy the passion and purpose behind them. And let’s be real, sometimes, it feels like shouting into the void. But when the right people find you? That’s where the magic happens.
The Rewards:
1. Seeing Your Work in the Wild
There’s something incredibly special about walking into a business and seeing an award you created on display or noticing someone using a custom gift you made. It’s a reminder that what you do has a real impact, and it makes all the hard work worth it.
2. Bringing People’s Ideas to Life
Customization is personal. Whether it’s a business celebrating a milestone or a teacher receiving a heartfelt gift, every project has a story. Being a part of that and knowing your work means something to someone is beyond fulfilling.
3. Building a Brand That’s Yours
Running Perry Design isn’t just about making products, it’s about building something from the ground up that reflects my values, creativity, and vision. Every win, every returning customer, every heartfelt review reinforces that I’m on the right path.
4. The Potential for Growth
The best part? This is just the beginning. The possibilities for expansion, whether it’s a storefront, a warehouse, or a full-time operation, are endless. It’s a reminder that hard work and persistence pay off, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.
Final Thoughts
Starting a customization business isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes grit, patience, and a whole lot of late nights. But if you have the passion and the drive, the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Every day is a new opportunity to create something meaningful, and that’s what keeps me going.
If you’re thinking about jumping into the world of customization, know this, it won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it.
