The Scary (and Exciting) Bits of Starting a Small Business

Starting a small business is one of those experiences that’s equal parts thrilling and terrifying. One minute you’re buzzing with ideas and creativity, and the next you’re staring at a form or spreadsheet wondering how you even got here and what on earth it all means.

When I started Craft and Canvas, I quickly realised that running a small business isn’t just about doing the thing you love — it’s about learning an entirely new world along the way. From business planning and branding to marketing, finances, and putting yourself out there, it’s a journey full of highs, lows, and plenty of learning curves.

The Exciting Bits of Starting a Business

Let’s start with the fun stuff — because there really is a lot of it.

Choosing a Business Name

Choosing a business name was one of the first moments where everything started to feel real. I knew I wanted something that clearly reflected creativity, painting, and crafts, without leaning too far towards adults or too far towards children. Ideally, it needed to explain what I did without requiring a long explanation — something that made people think, “Oh, this must be something to do with painting and crafts.”

I started a group chat with friends and family so I could bounce ideas around, see what resonated, and get honest feedback. It was part brainstorming session, part hype squad — and incredibly helpful. We threw around a few early ideas like Paint Shed, Craft and Corkscrew, and Palette Party, but in the end, I kept coming back to Craft and Canvas — and it just felt right.

Then came the practical side of starting a business: checking availability and making sure no one else was already using the name. Interestingly, while no one in Australia was operating under Craft and Canvas, when I went to officially register it, ASIC initially had the name as “not available” even tough no one was using it. That was a moment of panic… followed by determination.

I decided to contest it, explaining that the name wasn’t being used or was it offensive in any way and clearly reflected a creative business. Thankfully, they ruled in my favour and approved it. Just because I was told “no” the first time didn’t mean I stopped trying — and in this case, it paid off. Craft and Canvas was officially registered.

Designing the Logo & Branding

Next came logo design and colour palette — exciting, but far more challenging than I expected.

I needed something visually appealing that truly represented what I do as a creative business, while also being practical. It had to work online, on aprons, on marketing materials, and at different sizes. It needed to be clear, easy to read, not overly complicated, and still feel creative and fun, without the colours feeling too girly as being creative is for everyone! So I went with purple, teal, blue and pink.

(Colour Palette used for Craft and Canvas.)

Once again, I leaned on my trusty group of friends to bounce ideas around. Interestingly, I ended up choosing a logo that wasn’t the most popular choice — because I knew, long-term, it would work better for branding. It could be resized, adapted, and used across multiple products without losing impact.

That’s something you don’t always think about when starting a small business — how your logo needs to evolve and function everywhere.

The whole process took longer than expected, but it was genuinely so much fun. One of the biggest lessons I learned? Just because everyone else prefers a design doesn’t mean it’s the right one for your business, trust your gut. See some of my earlier logo designs below.

(Image ideas: Early logo concepts, final Craft and Canvas

branding across website, aprons, and social media.)

The Scary Bits of Running a Business

Of course, it’s not all colour palettes and creative decisions. Becoming a sole trader was daunting. Knowing that everything — finances, bookings, admin, marketing, and promotion — sits on your shoulders takes some getting used to. There’s no team to fall back on and no one else to “just handle it, or help in the moment”

Then there were things I’d never really had to deal with before: taxes, tracking income, invoicing, insurance, and expenses, all while juggling looking after my 1-year-old and working from home. Suddenly, staying organised wasn’t optional — it was essential.

This is where I realised I needed proper guidance. I registered for a self-employment course with ABS Institute, and honestly, this was a huge turning point for me. They helped me with business training, creating a business plan, planning for the future, and putting together a financial template for the next three years! For the first time, I officially had something solid to work towards — not just an idea, but a real plan.

I also gained a qualification, Level III Entrepreneurship and New Business, through the course, which gave me so much more confidence. I now feel like I have a much better understanding of how to run a business as a sole trader… even though there are still moments where I stop and think, “What am I doing?!”

And then there’s promoting your business, putting yourself out there, sharing your business online and anywhere you can. Sending quotes and hoping someone actually wants to book your services. That waiting can feel incredibly vulnerable. You put time into posts, emails, designs, replies — and then wait, fingers crossed, hoping for that “Yes, we’d love to book!” message.

The In-Between (and Why It’s Worth It)

Most days aren’t just scary or exciting — they’re both.

Some days feel overwhelming. Some days feel empowering. But there’s something incredibly rewarding about building a small business from scratch, learning as you go, and watching your confidence grow alongside your business.

Starting Craft and Canvas has pushed me well outside my comfort zone more times than I can count — and I wouldn’t change it. The scary bits teach resilience. The exciting bits remind you why you started. And the in-between moments? That’s where the real growth happens. Doing what I love, being creative, and bringing joy to others through art and connection makes it all worth it — even on the hard days.

Thinking About Starting Your Own Business?

If you’re thinking about starting your own business, this is your sign to go for it. You don’t need everything figured out — you learn by doing and by starting before you feel “ready.”

If you ever want a chat or have questions, I’m always happy to share my experience. Starting a business can feel lonely, and support really does make a difference.

If you’re considering a self-employment course, I can genuinely recommend the ABS Institute — their support helped me turn an idea into a real business: https://tinyurl.com/fxrwtrsv

If you’d like to follow along on my creative journey, see behind the scenes, or book a paint and sip or creative session, feel free to explore the rest of my website or connect with me on social media.

Thanks for being here Behind the Brush! This is where I share the journey honestly—the moments that inspire, the moments that challenge, and all the colourful little bits that make it worthwhile. Until next time, keep creating!

 – Amy