Join eRank in welcoming today’s guest blogger: Jay De Souza from Jay’s Way!
I’ve been selling on Etsy via Print-on-Demand (POD) since before it was a “thing”—12 years now. And trust me, mindset is everything! With over 200,000 T-shirts sold on Etsy and Amazon Merch and two decades of graphic design experience, I’ve learned that your outlook can make or break your business. Whether you’re diving into POD or building a handmade biz, a positive resilient mindset is your most powerful asset.
My journey in POD has had its twists and turns, and let me tell you, pivoting was key. My wife’s handmade Etsy business got crushed by the pandemic, and my POD business was struggling with supply chain chaos, border closures—you remember the craziness. Thankfully, a friend who previously owned a POD company (now one of Printify’s preferred partners) tipped us off to an amazing deal on professional POD equipment. So, we took a risk and renovated a 650-square-foot outbuilding into a full-fledged print shop complete with a Brother GTX printer, pretreat machine, conveyor belt dryer, packaging station, and shelves full of blank tees. Literally, the works! Just in time for Q4. After that first holiday rush, we’d completely paid off the investment.
This experience reaffirmed what I had already experienced but hadn’t really even realized it to be true as a rule just yet: Your mindset can either be your biggest hurdle or your most powerful secret weapon. Here are 5 ways to get out of your own way to let your mindset work FOR you and not AGAINST you.
1. Ditch the Comfortable Rut
Growth happens when you push beyond your comfort zone. I call it a “comfortable rut” and not a “groove” because it’s often a place you find yourself sinking into. The effort it takes to buck yourself out feels way too overwhelming, so you just roll with the punches. That comfort zone is a trap: you get so used to doing things the same way that the idea of change feels overwhelming. But the truth is that staying stuck in that rut means you’re never going to see real growth.
Committing to growing your business means kicking complacency to the curb. When you’re already feeling stuck, that so-called safety net is nothing more than a chain holding you back. Instead of letting it keep you stuck, lean into the discomfort. Challenge yourself to try new approaches, whether it’s diving into untapped niches, overhauling your design and marketing strategy, or finally committing—and sticking to—a schedule to actually work on your business. This isn’t about taking reckless risks. It’s about making a real, hard decision to evolve, even when it sucks and feels scary. Every step outside that comfort zone builds a stronger, more resilient business.
2. Accountability (Without the Eye-Rolls)
Accountability might sound boring, but trust me—it’s the secret sauce for turning plans into progress. When you set clear goals and break them down into bite-sized, manageable tasks, you’re not just dreaming; you’re making it happen! Regular check-ins with your trusted community or even a brutally honest look in the mirror will keep you on track. Being accountable forces you to face your progress head-on. It’s about owning both your wins and your missteps. That honest self-assessment is what turns wishful thinking into real, tangible results. No more excuses. It’s time to hold yourself responsible for the outcomes you want and actually show up!
3. Avoid Shiny Object Syndrome
Jumping from one idea to the next feels productive like you’re “staying ahead of the curve.” But it’s really just another way to procrastinate. Constantly switching niches, chasing trends, or bouncing between AI tools and trying to learn how to effectively use every new one that comes down the pipe does not move the needle. What does? Being decisive and doubling down on what’s already working.
Instead of running after the next big thing, take a step back. Look at your best-selling listings, your repeat customers, the research that actually brought in sales. Refine them. Expand on them. Get better at what’s already making you money. Growth doesn’t come from scattering your focus. It comes from zeroing in on what works and making it even better.
The next time you feel that itch to start over or switch gears, ask yourself: Are you making a smart pivot, or are you just looking for an escape hatch because the real work feels slow or boring?
4. Turn Setbacks into Opportunities
Every business faces its low points. Take the Q1 slump, for example. It happens every. single. year. So, get used to it, plan for it, and see it for what it really is—a chance to regroup. Use that downtime to analyze last year’s results, refine your branding, and even expand your product offerings. It’s a built-in breather that lets you collect your thoughts and make a plan for the rest of the year.
And thennnn, there’s the inevitable 1-star review. Instead of letting it ruin your day, treat it as a mini-opportunity. Dive into what went wrong, learn from it, and tweak your approach so that next time, you turn that critique into a win. Don’t just keep stroking your own ego by only looking at the 5-star reviews. The crappy reviews are the ones that you can often learn the most from and turn into educational opportunities for future buyers. Maybe it’s getting a bit more clear on your messaging, making sure the product’s size is more obvious, or ensuring that your processing and shipping times are more accurate.
Both the Q1 slump and that dreaded bad review are just bumps on the road. If you know how to handle them, they can actually fuel your growth.
5. Cut the Toxicity
This one needs to be said. Toxic people aren’t always just strangers on the internet—they can be friends or even family, too. If you’re constantly being dragged down by negativity, it doesn’t matter where it’s coming from. In “solopreneurship”, loneliness is part of the game, but you don’t need to make it worse by letting toxic influences weigh you down. Sometimes, you have to be ruthless, even if that means distancing yourself—figuratively and sometimes literally—from people who only see the downside, even if they’re friends or family. Find your people. The like-minded, hard-charging kind who push you to be better and celebrate every win—big and small—with you. Protect your energy at all costs because when you’re surrounded by genuine support, your mindset and your business will thrive.
Remember, though, that celebrating wins isn’t just about ego-stroking. It’s about reinforcing the progress you’re making. When you take time to acknowledge even the smallest achievements, you build the confidence to tackle bigger challenges. So, grab that moment, share your success, and let it drive you forward. Every win is a step closer to the bigger picture.
Final Thoughts: Let Your Growth Mindset Drive You
Remember, your growth mindset is what gets you out of your comfort zone and on to your own path. When people told my wife and I that driving from Ontario through the USA and Mexico to Belize was crazy—and that we should wait until we no longer had our Great Dane, Tonka—they just didn’t get it. What happens in 5-6 years if we wait? A family member might get sick, or travel might not even be an option anymore. Fast-forward 1.5 years, and those same naysayers are now trying to come visit. Go figure.
The truth is, it’s all on YOU!
Stop waiting for the perfect moment and making excuses. Your mindset is the engine behind your success. Embrace the journey, push through the doubts, and take action now. When you live with that growth mindset, you don’t just survive. I promise you—you will thrive!
Get out there and make it happen!
To learn more from Jay’s experiences, check out his YouTube Channel Jay’s Way.
