Three Months In: What I've Learned

When I started Bookmarks & Breakdowns three months ago, I had one simple goal: create a place where readers could find a little joy, comfort, and surprise.

The Mystery Scoops were one of the very first ideas I fell in love with. They were colorful, fun, and unlike anything I'd seen before. I poured so much time into designing them, sourcing products, and figuring out how to make every scoop feel exciting.

And they taught me something incredibly valuable.

Sometimes the best business decisions come from realizing that a good idea isn't always the best long-term idea.

As Bookmarks & Breakdowns has grown, I've learned that I want to spend more time creating, curating, and bringing in fresh products—not maintaining a system that makes changing inventory complicated.

That's why I'm saying goodbye to Mystery Scoops and hello to Surprise Capsules.

This change gives me so much more freedom.

Instead of digging through hundreds of beads every time I want to introduce something new, I can simply create new capsules. That means seasonal collections, limited-edition items, holiday surprises, new vendors, and fresh products can all be added much more often.

Most importantly, it means your surprises will always feel... well... surprising.

The heart of Bookmarks & Breakdowns has never been the beads.

It's always been the excitement of opening something unexpected.

That isn't changing.

If anything, I think it's getting even better.

Three months in, I've also learned that it's okay to pivot.

Running a small business means constantly learning what works, what doesn't, and what can be improved. Every order, every market, every conversation, and every customer has taught me something new.

Because of you, Bookmarks & Breakdowns has grown from one little idea into something I truly look forward to working on every single day.

We're also keeping some of my favorite things:

• 📦 Subscription Boxes (Bookish, Faith, and Kids)

• 📚 Blind Date with a Book

• ✝️ Faith Collections

• 📔 Journal Bundles

• 🎁 And now... Surprise Capsules!

This is just the beginning.

Thank you for supporting my crazy ideas, encouraging me through every change, and reminding me that small businesses don't have to stay the same—they just have to keep growing.

Here's to the next chapter. ❤️

— Jessie, Bookmarks & Breakdowns