Reclaimtreasure

Journalling the Journey of Entrepreneurship

[sar-rig-journey]

Week # 12 Progress

I registered for this class hoping to gain insight into areas of business I might be missing while already running an active e-commerce operation. I was looking for applied guidance or instruction, perhaps a little engagement that could help refine what I was already doing.

That didn’t happen.

The course content largely consisted of freely available online material that I had already read prior to enrolling. I attempted to withdraw shortly after registration but was told I was outside the refund window, so I continued in good faith to see if meaningful value would emerge. It did not.

There was no engagement, no feedback, and no instruction that meaningfully contributed to my understanding of how to run or grow a business. What did happen instead was that I continued doing what I already do - running a business.

As part of this course, I created a micro-offering within my existing business, Reclaim Treasure. My goal was to sell 15 mystery boxes. All 15 sold. The project generated $437 in profit, admittedly more then anticipated because when you already have a client base and quality product people will pay for it. The remaining inventory continues to hold value within my core business. None of it was wasted.

I will be running an online auction next week to clear overstocked inventory, which is a strategic part of how I manage supply. My business continues to operate daily, independently of this course.

This will be my final post for this course.

I am choosing to stop participating in further assignments because continuing would require me to invest time and energy into work that provides no value. I’m 48 established in life and do not need a grade to get me where I am going. The cost of this course will be considered a loss.

Over the next six months, my focus is on incorporating, possibly purchasing a commercial property, and expanding my e-commerce operation beyond third-party platforms. I will continue building a business that is financially viable, creatively fulfilling, and worthy of my time.

The work is happening outside the classroom. That’s where I’m staying.

I genuinely hope others were able to learn something valuable from this course. For anyone looking to build a real business, my advice is to be intentional about where you invest your time and energy. Structured classes are not always the most effective path once you’re already doing the work.

The most meaningful growth I’ve experienced has come from learning alongside other business owners, through mentorship, collaboration, and honest conversations that inspire forward momentum. If the goal is to build something sustainable, community and shared experience matter more than formal coursework.

[sar-rig-journey]

My Progress – Week #9

This week was quiet in terms of sales, which honestly feels typical for the time of year. There were no additional mystery box sales, and that aligns with what I’ve experienced in the past during the week between Christmas and New Year’s. At this point, most people aren’t actively shopping for décor or gifts. They’re still in a holding pattern, mentally and physically, between one season and the next.

From a behavioural standpoint, this makes sense. People generally don’t start thinking about their surroundings again until Christmas decorations are being put away. That transition tends to trigger a reassessment of space - what feels cluttered, what feels dated, and what they want their home to feel like moving forward. Until that happens, décor purchases usually pause.

While nothing new sold this week, what is working is the clarity I’m gaining around next steps. I don’t see this lull as a problem with the product, but rather as a seasonal pause. The structure of my full business is intentionally designed to be flexible and responsive, with the ability to shift formats, add new sales outlets, and adapt to changing trends and demand as they arise. Because of that, I’m adjusting my focus rather than pushing the mystery boxes harder right now.

Over the coming week, I’ll begin curating smaller décor lots and posting them for sale, along with pulling out a few of the most valuable items to sell individually. This allows me to meet customers where they are, browsing more intentionally rather than committing to a full mystery experience.

I’ve also registered for two online auction platforms and am preparing to sell lots of vintage overstocked inventory. This will include any items remaining after the course wraps up. This step adds another outlet for sales and reinforces the adaptability built into my business.

Overall, the project feels stable, even if it’s quiet. I’m learning that not every week is about sales, some weeks are about positioning, timing, and preparing for the next shift in buyer behaviour. Running a business requires patience during slower moments and the ability to adjust without overreacting.

What I’m continuing to learn about myself is that I’m comfortable with pauses when I understand why they’re happening. I don’t feel pressured to force sales when timing isn’t right. Instead, I’m more focused on making thoughtful decisions about how inventory is presented and sold as circumstances change.

This week reinforced that progress doesn’t always look active on the surface — sometimes it’s happening quietly, behind the scenes.

[sar-rig-journey]

My Progress Week #8: Reclaim Treasure Mystery Boxes

This week looked very similar to Week 7, which honestly shouldn’t be surprising. There were no online mystery box sales, but given that Christmas shipping cutoffs had already passed, that felt expected. I don’t think I fully accepted just how much shipping timelines would impact last-minute gift purchases, even though it makes complete sense in hindsight. From an online standpoint, this shows that timing rather than interest was the main barrier to continued sales.

What is working showed up in a way I didn’t fully anticipate. After sharing a test post on Facebook earlier in the project, four people reached out locally to purchase mystery boxes as gifts. These were not repeat customers, but new buyers who had seen that original post and felt the boxes would make meaningful presents. The boxes were either picked up or delivered locally and paid for in cash at $50 per box.

From a business perspective, these local sales were significantly more profitable than online sales. Without shipping costs or platform fees, each local transaction resulted in approximately $40 profit per box. This highlighted how much shipping and platform costs impact the bottom line and reinforced that local, direct sales can be a very effective sales option.

At this point, I have five mystery boxes remaining. This is more inventory than I expected to have at this stage, but it aligns with the reality that once shipping deadlines pass, online gift sales slow dramatically. What isn’t working as well right now is relying solely on online platforms during a small seasonal window. That said, this feels more like an adjustment in expectations than a failure of the product itself.

On a positive note, I received two very enthusiastic reviews from mystery box buyers this week. That feedback has been encouraging and validating, especially since the boxes are designed to be experiential rather than purely transactional. Knowing that customers genuinely enjoyed the unboxing experience confirms that the concept itself works, even when sales timing is less ideal.

In terms of how the project is coming together overall, I would say it is progressing realistically rather than perfectly. Sales shifted due to timing, but customer response is strong. I’m learning that even when a product resonates, the way the holiday calendar and delivery timelines play out can significantly influence results.

What I continue to learn about running a business is that planning can only go so far. You can anticipate demand, but you also have to adapt quickly when conditions change. I’m also learning that profit isn’t just about pricing, but about delivery, platform, and overhead. The same product can perform very differently depending on how it reaches the customer.

As for what I’m learning about myself, I’m realizing that flexibility is one of my strengths. While the course itself hasn’t been especially engaging for me, adapting my approach when circumstances change has actually been motivating. I enjoy the process of running the business itself, and this week reminded me that adjusting expectations and strategies is something I’m comfortable doing, even when things don’t unfold exactly as planned.

[sar-rig-journey]

My Progress Week 7:

Reclaim Treasure Mystery Boxes

As this project continues, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on what is actually working, what feels misaligned, and how this process has affected me both professionally and personally.

What is working is the business itself. The Reclaim Treasure Mystery Boxes launched successfully, sales came quickly, and customer engagement has been strong. Buyers are actively participating in the personalization process, sharing thoughtful details about the recipients, and responding positively when I take the time to connect with them. The product, the concept, and the execution all feel solid. From an operational standpoint, sourcing inventory, curating boxes, pricing, and fulfilling orders have all gone smoothly.

What hasn’t been working is the structure of this course as a learning experience. Much of the content has consisted of links to articles and generalized information that is widely available online. While the frameworks are familiar, they haven’t provided the depth, guidance, or practical support I was hoping for when enrolling. I came into this course wanting to learn something new about building and scaling a business, and instead I’ve often found myself simply documenting work I was already doing independently.

That disconnect has been frustrating. It has made this project feel less like a learning opportunity and more like an exercise in translation — taking real-world experience and fitting it into academic templates.

Despite that, the project itself is coming together well. The business is viable, the timeline is realistic, and the outcomes feel tangible. If anything, this experience has reinforced that I am capable of running a business without relying heavily on external instruction. It has highlighted how much of entrepreneurship is learned through action, decision-making, and problem-solving rather than theory alone.

What I am learning about running a business is that clarity comes from doing. Real insight comes from customers, inventory, cash flow, and constraints — not just models or personas on paper. I’m also learning how important it is to protect my time and energy, especially when balancing creative work with administrative requirements.

What I’m learning about myself is perhaps the most significant part of this process. I’ve realized how deeply I value meaningful, applied learning and how quickly I disengage when something feels performative or disconnected from reality. I’ve also recognized that while I crave growth and expansion, I need learning environments that actually support that growth rather than slow it down.

This project has reaffirmed my confidence in my business instincts, even if it hasn’t delivered the educational experience I expected. In that sense, the value has come less from the course content and more from the confirmation that I am already operating from a place of experience, intention, and capability.

[sar-rig-journey]

Cash Flow, Risk, and How I’m Choosing to Grow

This week’s focus on cash flow landed a little heavier than I expected. On paper, it’s about numbers and financing options. In reality, it forced me to sit with my relationship to risk, debt, and what I’m actually comfortable carrying as a business owner.

Right now, Reclaim Treasure is funded almost entirely through reinvestment. I have a dedicated credit card that I use strictly for business expenses, but I never carry a balance beyond the monthly statement. No interest is budgeted, and no purchases are made unless I already know the money is there to cover it. Inventory is only sourced once existing expenses are paid. In many ways, this keeps things very clean and very controlled — I only spend what I have.

Because of that structure, cash flow hasn’t been an issue so far. I work within my limits, even when it means slowing down. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t thought deeply about other ways of financing growth.

I’ve spent more time than I’d like to admit researching grants — small business start-up grants, women-led business funding, creative enterprise programs. I keep hoping there’s something designed for small resellers, something that supports slow, sustainable growth. So far, I haven’t found a grant that Reclaim Treasure actually qualifies for. Most funding opportunities either require scale I don’t yet have or exclude resale-based businesses entirely.

And yet, I can clearly see where I want this business to go.

I would love to open a commercial space. I would love to hold larger amounts of inventory, to create two or three employment opportunities, to tap into media, consultation, and teaching within the reselling world. I can feel how solid the groundwork is. The vision is there. The demand is there.

What holds me back isn’t a lack of ideas — it’s debt.

The BDC article talks about how financing decisions are influenced by cash flow predictability, market conditions, and risk tolerance. That part really hit home. We are in an unstable market. Feasibility beyond a certain scale feels unmeasurable. Taking on debt in that environment feels like a risk that could cost me more than I’m able to repay — financially and emotionally.

I also have to be very conscious of protecting my family’s personal finances. I manage this business in a way that ensures it never costs us anything. That boundary is non-negotiable. The idea of my business creating financial stress at home isn’t something I’m willing to entertain. I already carry enough emotional weight — adding financial conflict on top of that would make this unsustainable for me.

The hardest part is that I want the growth now. I get excited. I can see it. And then I question my ability to actually implement it safely. This learning unit on cash flow forced me to acknowledge that while I have strong instincts and discipline around money, my caution also comes from fear — fear of losing control, fear of making a wrong move, fear of being responsible for something I can’t undo.

For now, the path forward feels clear, even if it’s slower than my ambition would like. Reinvest profits. Stay debt-free. Grow organically. Let feasibility be proven through consistency, not borrowed money.

This post wasn’t just about identifying a future financial source — it was about recognizing that how I grow matters just as much as how fast I grow. And right now, protecting stability is part of what allows me to keep going at all.

[sar-rig-journey]

Operations Plan for Reclaim Treasure Mystery Boxes

As I move into the final six weeks of the course, I’ve been grounded by the practical side of bringing Reclaim Treasure Mystery Boxes to life. Because this micro-enterprise is built around curated vintage decor, my operations plan relies heavily on sourcing, selecting, and organizing materials in a way that feels both sustainable and true to the brand. Fortunately, sourcing isn’t a barrier for me. I’ve spent most of my life collecting, refining, and reselling vintage items, and my home already operates like a small, well-organized studio. I have a steady rotation of inventory and reliable local shops and auctions that consistently provide beautiful vintage, second-hand pieces. This means I can continue to create mystery boxes without concern about supply shortages or delays.

My workflow is simple and intentional. I gather and sort items based on theme, aesthetic, and size, then begin forming potential vignettes before finalizing a box. Each collection is curated by mood first, and practicality second, which keeps the emotional experience the heart of the product. Because I work entirely on my own, it’s important to keep this process manageable. The timeline of the course actually aligns perfectly with the seasonal demand for mystery boxes. With Black Friday behind me and Christmas fast approaching, I have already sourced enough materials for a complete limited run of boxes. Any additional items I may need for personalization can be found easily at my usual locations without disrupting production timelines.

Since I’m operating from home, my tools are simple: a workspace for sorting and staging, packaging materials for safe and aesthetic presentation, and the digital tools I already use for my reselling business. Etsy is my primary marketplace, and because it handles payment processing and customer communication, I don’t require any special licenses or permits for what I’m doing. Selling second-hand goods is already within Etsy’s accepted categories, and I’m familiar with the platform from years of reselling. This allows me to focus my time on curation, staging, and packaging rather than administrative or regulatory tasks.

Shipping is streamlined as well. I am limiting this release to Canadian customers, which keeps postage predictable and simplifies logistics. I package each box with attention to aesthetics and safety, and I ship through whichever carrier offers the best rate and timeline for that location. This flexibility helps keep costs under control and ensures customers receive a consistent experience.

The overall vision is a business that feels authentically personal, thoughtful, and emotionally grounded. To launch, all I truly need are the items I’ve sourced, my packaging materials, my workspace, and my chosen platform. The storytelling, the mood, the careful assembly come from my own experience and instincts. The operations plan isn’t complicated because it doesn’t have to be. Reclaim Treasure Mystery Boxes is a small, intentional business built on skills and resources I’ve been building most of my life. The next six weeks are simply about bringing those skills forward in a more structured, purposeful way, and continuing to build something meaningful one box at a time.

[sar-rig-journey]

Creative Marketing Activity

Theres one catch... its definitely, 100% NOT a safety pin. So what is it?

[sar-rig-journey]

Reclaim Treasure Customer Persona

This week’s post is all about figuring out who the ideal customer for Reclaim Treasure Mystery Boxes is. I worked through my empathy map and used Kevan Lee’s article on marketing personas as a loose guide, but honestly, once I started thinking about the emotional side of what I’m creating, the persona came together pretty naturally.

The whole point of this activity was to put a “face” to the kind of person who would love these boxes most. And that became clearer the more I thought about how people feel in their homes. As I’ve been working on these boxes, I keep imagining the type of customer they’re meant for, and Elise captures that perfectly.

So this is the persona that emerged from all of that reflection.

Meet “Elise”

Elise is the kind of person who cares a lot about how her home feels. Not in a trendy, match-the-catalog sort of way — but in a “this space is where I rest, reset, and ground myself” way. Her home is her heart space.

She’s somewhere between her late twenties and mid-fifties, probably juggling work, family, or just the general chaos of life. When things feel overwhelming (which is often), she turns to her home for comfort. She likes soft moments, warm textures, familiar scents, and anything with a little history woven into it.

Elise gravitates toward vintage finds, thrifted treasures, and handmade pieces because they already feel lived-in and meaningful. She wants things with character — not mass-produced décor she’s seen a thousand times. She values sustainability, slow living, and pieces that feel like they were chosen with intention.

She also loves the idea of being surprised, but not randomly. She wants a mystery that feels curated — something thoughtful, something that feels like a tiny experience just for her. A small ritual in the middle of a noisy day.

She probably browses Etsy, Pinterest, or Instagram for inspiration, but gets overwhelmed by too many options and disappointed when items arrive and feel flat. What she really wants is to skip the decision fatigue and still get something beautiful, nostalgic, and grounding.

Elise is also a very sentimental gift-giver. She wants the people in her life to feel cared for, and she chooses presents that carry meaning. A curated vintage mystery box is exactly the kind of thing she’d pick because it feels personal and completely unique.

Why Elise Matters to Reclaim Treasure

Writing out this persona actually made me excited to implement this project. It helped me understand who I’m creating for, what they care about, and what kind of emotional experience I want them to have when they open one of my boxes.

Kevan’s article talked about personas being a kind of “guide,” and that’s exactly how I’m using this. When I think about Elise opening a Reclaim Treasure Mystery Box, it helps shape the way I source items, curate themes, and even write my descriptions. It keeps everything focused on meaning, calm, and connection, the exact intention behind the project.

She may not be a real person, but she represents the customers who will authentically appreciate what I’m building.

[sar-rig-journey]

Soft whites, gentle textures, and those little pieces that make a space feel like home.

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Building the mystery: I have a 65 year old brother and I think he would love this as a christmas gift. He enjoys antique/vintage items related to science, space, geography, kitchen gadgets, games and art. He likes unique trinkets and decor. He enjoys curious items that are clever. He prefers darker colours like burgundy, deep blues and purples. He doesn't like gold, crystal/ glass pieces, fine china or jewellery.

[sar-rig-journey]

Competitor Analysis - Vintage Decor Mystery Boxes

Reclaim Treasure Mystery Boxes

This week, I spent time exploring three shops that offer vintage decor mystery boxes, and it was surprisingly grounding to see what’s already out there — and what’s missing. All three operate on Etsy and offer curated vintage items with an element of surprise. By looking at their shop experience, positioning, pricing, and customer feedback, I was able to identify where Reclaim Treasure Mystery Boxes naturally stand apart.

Even though each shop offered “vintage decor mystery boxes,” they all approached the idea differently, which helped me understand where Reclaim Treasure naturally fits.

The Competitors

1. EmjaibeeInteriors - Interior-Decorator Style Boxes

The first shop I looked at is run by a certified interior decorator. Their boxes are grouped by style labels like Cottagecore, Mid-century, and Grandmillennial, and the listing is extremely polished. Their strength is the sense of professional curation. The reviews are glowing, and the shop feels trustworthy and established.

But what stood out to me is that the experience feels very “choose a style, get a bundle.” There isn’t much narrative or emotional connection it’s more about matching decor trends.

Positioning: Vintage decor mystery boxes curated by a certified interior decorator, with style categories like Cottagecore, Mid-century, or Grandmillennial. Pricing: $45–$100+(CAD) depending on size. Strengths: Clean branding, strong style options, robust social media, and high review ratings. Weaknesses: Focuses heavily on style rather than emotional experience; unboxing is functional rather than intentional.

2. ManorHouseVtg - Farmhouse/Cottage Estate-Sale Boxes

The second seller focuses heavily on farmhouse and English cottage aesthetics. Their items come from estate sales and antique shops, which I love, and they’re very transparent about sourcing. They also have YouTube and Instagram, which helps create a sense of personality.

But their niche is narrow. If you love farmhouse, it’s perfect but if you’re looking for something more moody, nostalgic, cozy, or ritual-based, there isn’t much flexibility. It’s décor without an emotional framework.

Positioning: Antique/vintage farmhouse and cottage-style mystery boxes with 6–8 items sourced from estate sales. Pricing: Around $37 - $50 (US) plus shipping. Strengths: Clear niche, consistent reviews, and an active presence on YouTube and Instagram. Weaknesses: Very limited in aesthetic variety; narrative focuses on quantity and style rather than meaning or mood.

3. UpcycledDecor281 - Cottagecore / Teatime Gift Boxes

The third competitor leans into cottagecore gifting. Their boxes are pretty and “Instagram-friendly,” with options like Cottagecore, Teatime, or Barware. They market largely through social media, and the boxes feel very giftable.

What I noticed, though, is that the themes are tied to object categories rather than feelings or experiences. It’s cute, but not very intentional beyond the aesthetic.

Positioning: Curated vintage boxes in Cottagecore, Teatime, or Barware themes, marketed as cozy gifts. Pricing: $30 - $80 (US) depending on box size. Strengths: Strong “giftable” aesthetic, active social media marketing, and personalized preferences. Weaknesses: Themes are tied to object categories instead of emotional experiences; storytelling is light.

What I Learned About My Own Positioning

Across all competitors, the focus is primarily on style categories (farmhouse, boho, cottagecore) and value-based surprises. What’s missing is a brand offering curated decor as a meaningful, emotional experience rather than just a bundle of items. Reclaim Treasure Mystery Bixes are unique - not because of the vintage pieces themselves, but because of the experience I’m trying to create.

Most competitors focus on:

style categories

quantity/value

themed bundles based on object types

Whereas Reclaim Treasure focuses on something else entirely:

Emotional themes

(Book Nook, Mindful Mornings, Gentlemen’s Retreat) These aren’t décor styles they’re moods, rituals, and feelings.

Aesthetic options that shape the atmosphere

Light & Airy / Deep & Earthy / Surprise Me This gives people control without taking away the excitement.

A slow, intentional unboxing experience

Not just “what’s in the box,” but “how it feels to open it.”

My background and connection to vintage pieces

Growing up in an antique shop shaped how I see objects — as pieces of memory, history, and comfort. None of the competitors have that same story or emotional grounding behind their curation.

A seasonal, limited-run collection

This creates anticipation, scarcity, and a sense of something special.

Exploring competitors has helped me reflect on my intentions for Reclaim Treasure Mystery Boxes - Where competitors are offering decor, I’m creating a moment of nostalgia and grounding during a time when people really need that.

This emotional positioning, combined with my lifelong background in antiques and sustainable curation, creates a unique niche within an already popular category.

And that makes me feel confident about the direction I'm taking.

[andallshallbewell]

[destinationpearlstreet]

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Comfort Decor

[cozycottagelife]

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[vintagehomecollection]

The Garden Book, 1984

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#Bohohome

[macrolit]

Personal library of Richard A. Macksey, retired professor of humanities at Johns Hopkins University.

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#readingnookgoals