My Zazzlepreneur Journey: Why Entrepreneurship Works Best as a Shared Path

[CreativeLeahG]

Yesterday, I gave my Zazzle community hub website a little makeover. On the home page, I share a belief that’s guided me from the very beginning: “I’ve always believed entrepreneurship isn’t a race—it’s a shared journey.”

Those who’ve known me through the many years I’ve been a “Zazzlepreneur” know how true this is. But I’d like to take you back to where it all started—and why this philosophy means so much to me. My career before kids was as a Manager in the NHS. It was stressful, demanding, and—sadly—not often rewarding.

When I became a mom, being the “all or nothing” person I am, I chose to be both a full-time mother and a full-time self-employed, home-based worker. Life threw me another curve when I became a divorced mom of two under the age of three.

That meant I had no choice but to throw myself into finding ways to make money online. I tried many things—mainly content creation (back in the pre-AI days, though I like to think the thousands of articles I wrote helped train some of it 😉).

I also experimented with selling custom artwork, and that’s where my shared entrepreneurship journey really began. On an art-related forum (remember those?), I met my first “entrepreneur buddy.”

Together we decided to give Zazzle a try. I’d already dabbled there, but only in a hobby sort of way. We started small, with a target of just $100 a month—and it took us around six months to reach it. Then we set $200, then more, gradually building momentum.

We weren’t just setting goals—we were sharing ideas, critiquing each other’s work, and learning together. Over time, our little duo grew into a larger community of fellow Zazzlers through Facebook groups, blogs, and beyond. The joy we felt in helping others—and receiving help in return—was powerful. It became clear that entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be lonely or competitive.

It can be collaborative, uplifting, and deeply rewarding. Of course, there were highs and lows (we wouldn’t be human otherwise). But those connections, that support, made all the difference. Working from home can be isolating—especially in an industry most people in “real life” don’t understand.

Many assume we’re just “playing on the computer.” But we know the truth.

Community matters. Community rocks. And you rock.

Thank you to all those who've been so supportive to me over the years and more recently as I make a tentative return to the fold!

[KeegansCreation]

I didn't realize Zazzlepreneurs was back. I logged back in. Yay! 😀 Thank you.

That was a cool backstory. I agree that it works better when we work together.