Not Just “Little Things”: A Creative's Rebellion

Thistle and Bard
Apr 29
2 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

“I thought you’d have given up by now.”

"Stop talking. You sound like you’re on The Apprentice!”

“Well, keep selling your little things then…”

Those are the words I heard this week — from someone meant to support me. Instead, I left feeling like I’d been patted on the head and dismissed. Like the business I’ve built — the one I’ve poured everything into — didn’t count. Because it's “just stickers” or “just a side hustle.” Because I dared to choose creativity over conformity. Because it didn’t fit into the box HMRC had set out for me.

But I didn’t crumble this time.

I got angry.

And now? Now I’m using that anger to build.

Creative small business owner restocking merchandise

This Business Is Not a Hobby.

I’ve spent the last few weeks:

Driving marketing campaigns and advertisements.
Creating professional-grade product photography.
Writing, designing, editing, scheduling, planning, and publishing content across multiple platforms.
I respond to customers, fulfill orders, and manage inventory by myself.

I’ve fought tooth and nail for every single order, and I’ve done it while being a parent, while managing burnout, and yes — while dealing with systems that seem designed to break you down instead of build you up.

This business is not just a dream. It’s a fight. And I am still in it.

If You’ve Ever Been Dismissed Like This...

If you’ve ever been made to feel like your art, your work, your voice doesn’t count, you are not alone.

I’m still standing.

And if you believe in what I’m building here at Thistle and Bard — whether it’s with a follow, a kind word, or grabbing something magical from the shop — you’re part of this rebellion too.