We’re not experts. But we’re a little further down the road and we’ve learned some things we wish someone had told us sooner.

After sharing the story of how we started Azulike, some of the twists, false starts and gatekeeping we ran into along the way — we’ve gotten a few messages that stand out..

“I’ve been dreaming of starting something like this.”
“I’d love to source handmade products, but I have no idea where to begin.”
“How did you even find your first artisan partner?”

We love these questions because we were those people just a few years ago.

We’re still learning and growing but we do have some things we wish we’d known from the start — and we’re working on something special to share them.

We’re Building a Guide for Dreamers Like Us

Right now, we’re quietly putting together a resource, a digital guide that will walk through:

• Resources for international importing
• Tools and tips for building an artisan-based brand
• How we started Azulike with a goal but not much else
• What we learned about sourcing, pricing, and fair relationships

• What we’d do differently if we were starting today
  

This isn’t about becoming a giant brand overnight. It’s about building something thoughtful, ethical, and real.

But if we had just one hour to chat over coffee...

Here are a few things we’d say — no course needed:

1. Your story matters more than you think

The “why” behind your business is what people connect to, on top of your beautiful product.

2. Start small but with intention

You don’t need a huge launch. You do need a strong foundation and clear values.

3. Treat every artisan as a collaborator, not a vendor

Build relationships, not transactions. That’s where the real magic happens.

4. Expect to feel like you’re underwater for a while, even in the great times

That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong — it means you’re building something real.

5. Logistics will humble you

Customs, shipping, breakage, packaging — learn as you go. No one has it all figured out on day one.

We’re still gathering stories, tools, and behind-the-scenes insights.
If you want to be the first to know when it’s ready — Join our mailing list!

In the next post, we’ll talk about what happens after you launch — the awkward, quiet, emotionally confusing middle part that no one talks about. Because starting is hard… but continuing? That’s where the real growth happens.