Am I crazy?

Am I Crazy?

This week, I got my very first order.

One order.

To some people, that might not seem like much. To me, it felt like everything.

Because behind that one order are weeks of brainstorming, second-guessing, designing, researching, building a website, creating social media accounts, buying supplies, and wondering if anyone would actually want what I was creating.

The truth is, I'm already busy.

I work a full-time Monday through Friday job. I spend weekends doing side gigs. I'm a mom. I have a house to take care of, laundry to fold, dishes to wash, and approximately 47 things on my to-do list at any given moment.

So naturally, I decided the perfect thing to do was launch a business.

Am I crazy?

Maybe.

But I don't think I'm alone.

I think a lot of us reach a point where we realize we're capable of more than simply surviving each day. We want to create something. Build something. Leave our own little mark on the world.

For me, that became Bookmarks & Breakdowns.

A cozy corner for readers, overthinkers, caffeine lovers, self-care enthusiasts, and anyone else trying to make it through life one page, one sticker, one mystery scoop, and one deep breath at a time.

The reality isn't glamorous. Most nights, I'm working on this business after work. Sometimes I'm answering emails from my couch. Sometimes I'm packing orders while watching TV. Sometimes I'm lying awake at 2 a.m. thinking about inventory, website changes, and whether I ordered enough bubble mailers.

But then that first order came in.

And suddenly all those late nights felt worth it.

That one order reminded me that every business starts somewhere. Every successful company once had a first customer. Every dream starts with someone deciding to try.

So if you're reading this while working a regular job, chasing a side hustle, raising kids, paying bills, and wondering if you're crazy for pursuing something bigger...

Maybe we are.

But maybe that's exactly what it takes.

Here's to first orders, big dreams, and figuring it out as we go.

— Jessie
Founder, Bookmarks & Breakdowns