Three Months In: Juggling 3D Printing Dreams and Family Life in Lowestoft

It's hard to believe that it's already been three months since we opened our 3D printing shop here in Lowestoft! This journey has been thrilling, but it has also presented challenges that we never expected. Balancing the demands of running a small business with family life has been tougher than we imagined. In this post, we want to share our experiences so far, what we've learned, and how we're working toward a better work/home life balance.

The Thrill of Opening

Opening the shop was a dream come true. The first time a customer walked through the door, We felt a rush of excitement! Interacting with fellow 3D printing enthusiasts and sharing ideas has been exhilarating. Each day brings opportunities to explore new designs, improve our printing techniques, and cater to our customers' needs.

However, that joy comes with a hefty workload. As much as we want to pour our hearts into the shop, our family also need our attention. The thrill of entrepreneurship often clashes with parenting responsibilities. Although our children are pretty much all adults, they still need attention and some still live at home.... then there's the grandbaby. And the housework doesn't do itself.

A chaotic desk at the back of the shop full of printed items waiting to be assembled.

The Balancing Act

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned in these months is the value of prioritization. As a small business partnership, it’s easy to let work take over your life. We often find Vic working late into the night preparing designs to print, or watching the printers from home.

To regain balance, Tanya has started scheduling specific times for work and family. I am also taking control of the work diary so we spread the work out a little better.

Adjusting Expectations

Perfection is not realistic, especially for someone trying to juggle work and family life. One of the most liberating lessons we’ve learned is that it’s perfectly okay to not have everything under control. Throughout these three months, our partnership has kept everything together, Vic is the main person in the shop and Tanya works from home regularly, partly due to chronic illness and partly to keep on top of home life. Accepting this balance has been crucial for maintaining our sanity.

We also make sure that one night a week is our time to relax together and catch up on whatever we've been watching. ( Last week was a Doctor who binge, This week is Paradise on Disney+ )

Looking Ahead

As we plan for the future, we're setting realistic goals. We want to optimize our website to better highlight our 3D-printed creations. Right now, only 25% of our customers are aware of the full range of designs available. By improving our online presence, we hope to increase sales by at least 15% over the next few months.

We encourage anyone facing similar challenges to embrace the chaos and learn from it. Striving for a balanced approach is key to creating a fulfilling life that harmonizes work and home.

Vibrant 3D printed fidgets on display in the shop.

Reflecting on the Journey

These three months have been full of growth, excitement, and valuable lessons. While the quest for a smooth work/home life balance continues, We remain dedicated to this journey. Thank you for joining us as we navigate the vibrant world of 3D printing in Lowestoft while cherishing family moments. Let’s keep dreaming and printing!