I get to work with some really great creative business owners, whether it be in my Indie Shopography eCourse or as web design clients. Over the years of working with businesses of all kinds - helping them develop and launch their online shop - I've seen a common path that get's them from business idea to launch.

This path is pretty much the same with each client, whether they be a jewelry designer or a freelance illustrator, and Crafting a Launch is a study of the basic components that make up the launch of a creative online business.

The First Step is to Stake Claim

A very common problem my ecourse students are faced with is that they are unsure about the direction of their business. As creatives it's pretty epidemic that we all have a problem nailing down what it is that we love to do.

It's hard to choose one thing that we want need to focus on.

Take myself, for example. When I started my career as a creative entrepreneur I was a jewelry designer. For a little while I also dabbled in stationery design (but not for very long). Then, I decided to replace stationery design with web design. For a while I did jewelry and web design simultaneously. I loved them both. I was good at both.

But...

A jack of all trades is a master of none.

This is my mantra. Every time I find myself in the position where I want to start adding on more, different things to my plate, I repeat this to myself and happily step back.

I would much rather be great at one thing than merely good at a couple of things. (Click to tweet.)

Stake a claim on your expertise. Just saying it out loud can give you the conviction to commit.

Commit to Your Calling

When I decided that web design was it for me, I committed. Hard core. I took down my jewelry shop, packed up my supplies, and haven't looked back. That was over two years ago.

Committing to your money-maker – as I call it – does not mean that you can't still enjoy scrapbooking every once in a while if you scratched that from your business model. Committing just means that you will develop your business with one fabulous product line, and you'll make it the best that it can be.

Committing means putting all of your energy into one thing, and making it freaking awesome. (Click to tweet.)

It will Pay Off

This first step to launching an online business is easily the hardest for some. Even I had to hire someone to help me realize how to streamline the new Indie Shopography.

But no matter how hard it is to drop money-making products and services from your business model, committing to one can open doors to many other options and areas for growth and profit.

It will pay off in the end.

What are your thoughts on committing to some things regarding your business?