I started a Planner and Stationery Business with no money | How, What, Where and Why

In the last few months of 2022, a few things happened leading up to me deciding to start a stationery business. I've always been a planner and I've been using Canva for a long time to create designs, business cards, planner inserts, etc. Now I can finally turn that into a planner and stationery business with the bookbinding skills I've learned!
The business is still at it's beginning stages and it will take time building up an audience without the use of paid advertisement. But I'm up for the challenge and I'm so excited!
There are a few ways you can support me and my small business:
- Subscribe to my KZbin channel!
- Check out my short course about designing with Canva on Creative Fabrica: www.creativefabrica.com/produ...
- Buy something from my Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/jmthingsplanning
- Follow me on IG: / jm_things
- Visit my website: www.jmthings.co.za
- Use my affiliate links:
App I use to plan my social media content:
Milanote - www.milanote.com/refer/rcDftl...
Video Editing Software I use:
Wondershare Filmora - bit.ly/JMThings-Filmora
Supplies I used in the video (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases):
Canon Craft Printer: amzn.to/43ONRBY
Guillotine Paper Cutter: amzn.to/3rTKbSf
Mini Cinch Binder: amzn.to/47aNEvN
Blue Cutting Mat: amzn.to/3KjrDRC
Binding Wires: amzn.to/3Kp1oct
Book Board: amzn.to/3OCi2rv
Curved Needle: amzn.to/3Qi75wz
Bone Folder: amzn.to/3QjIS98
Awl: amzn.to/3OfW9gy
Bookbinding thread: amzn.to/458goDx
Bookbinding Glue: amzn.to/44LLy3O
Glue Brush: amzn.to/3Kres11
Steel Ruler: amzn.to/3DDT1Gi
Please let me know in the comments what kind of videos you would like to see on this channel in the future! I'm always open to new ideas. :)
If you enjoyed this video, please leave a like. It would be sooo much appreciated!
We are now at 1407 subscribers! A special thank you to each and every one of my subscribers for being part of my KZbin journey!
Thanks for watching!

[@bunx5527]

you inspire me I'm planning to start my own planner business and im a little bit scared but may allah help me

[@loubnalotfi6949]

INSHALLAH

[@pokebhai7827]

InshaAllah hey do u have started 😅 ?

[@juliak5]

Any results?

[@aishanasim7989]

Me tooo, ameen

[@noviandanibushron]

Ameen may Allah makes everything easier

[@trish694]

As a fellow South African, I am so very proud of you. Your books look amazing!

[@Terirn65]

Apple. I was married to a South African for 20 years. Amazing man. Passed in 2014. We have one daughter. Love your content. ❤

[@janehumphreys402]

So wonderful watching a proudly South African video!!💓💞 my prayer is that your business grows into a thriving internationally acclaimed business! God bless you!💕💞

[@VeroDeDream]

I am from the Caribbean and thinking of doing my own type of stationery... I am a stationery lover...so why not embrace it ❤ you enspired me to go for it. Thank you ❤

[@abigailpereira3230]

Your work looks amazing!

[@lisahitchcock3389]

I saw your video, and I love the scriptures you included in the teacher planners! I can see God providing at each step and I will be praying that He will bless your business and it will grow...allowing you to make more money than you ever thought and bringing glory to Him at the same time! Oh, and "apple"!

[@JMThings]

I really appreciate your comment and prayers ❤️ thank you!

[@HouseniAlaric]

I miss the scented stationery when I was a child. You inspire me to make my own. Apple🍎

[@heidischuller5349]

How fantastic to be able to follow a fellow South African! All the best with your business!

[@SacredSoulPractice]

So proud of you - this is all so inspiring as well -/ I love love stationary and have always wanted to make a planner of my own to sell

[@gingersnaps4194]

I wish you all good things and all the success your hard work and dedication demands! You’re a rock star!

[@stephaniedemski]

Apple! You are an inspiration, so talented, and I pray your business will be successful

[@gennieabalos]

I just saw this for the first time! Blessings to you in your business! I did watch all the way. Love your story.

[@ItoeKobayashi]

Apple. Thank you for sharing your story! I've had a long-term closet dream of making planners as well, but I've never felt like it was something I could actually DO. Hearing your story helped ground my mind and make me realize it's not only possible, but ideal to start small and work my way up!

[@amyharrod7639]

Beautiful work! Thank you for the inspiration.

[@darlenejames4341]

From the USA, the very best to you and your business success ❤

[@Seaflower722]

Apple, and I applaud your hard work and dedication. Truly amazing! Hope you have a lot of success!!

[@johnchan9392]

Apple. New Subscriber from Canada. Great video! Your custom made planners are great, esp the personal touch you add to each one made. Very inspiring! 👍

[@user-fb1ys2lj9c]

Love this. Thank you. Great idea.

[@Lissbirds]

Apple 🍏 Also, your story is inspiring. I'd love to see more of your bookbinding process, especially cutting and sewing the pages!

[@melissahammond6243]

This is amazing. 2 weeks ago I came across a video on how to create your own notebooks and i fell in love with the idea that this could be a great business venture since I love creating greeting cards ect. Thank u so much for this video. It has truly inspired me to venture into this notebook Journaling business. I am also a South African, durban and can relate to the challenges you face. I am so exited to start designing and creating my very first notebook. I wish you all the best for your business. Stay blessed.

[@tammyhoward7960]

Thank you for this information. I've been wanting to make a planner for a certain person. Much like your teachers. I'm praying God blesses your sales. 💜

[@CreativeThinking52]

Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day. 🎉❤

[@isabellelemieux1073]

Wow. Am really impressed!

[@elliomore]

You are very inspiring, I've been stuck with a business plan half done due to insecurity of whether or not I will be able to get funding. I guess it's a matter of mind over matter and just getting started with every additional rands I have each month 🍏 wishing you all the success you deserve. ❤

[@Theblesseddaisybudgets]

Apple!! This was a very informative video. Thank you so much for sharing your skills and craft with the rest of the world! You are very inspiring, and your products are beautiful! I am just getting started in the budgeting world, and am looking at many different videos, when I stumbled across yours! I’m glad I found it! I am a new subscriber! Have a blessed day! 🌸😃🌸

[@justlm316]

You’re amazing! Congrats on your accomplishments

[@susannahisidora36]

Well done-I am so inspired!

[@mimisart]

Apple 🍏. I teared up when I saw the scriptures, may God bless you beyond your wildest dreams and knock your socks off in the process. I'm currently in the beginning stages of setting up my art business (I'm an acrylic painter in Canada) and stumbled across your video searching for business strategies and learning from other creative individuals like yourself. Your video sure inspired me and gives me hope that my business will be launched and take off.

[@nochu9753]

Apple 4:44 same, I'm from Argentina but same! I'm avoiding to post my work on social media to promote myself fearing someone from another country might ask and shipping costs would end up being higher than the product itself. On a side note, your work seen on this video looks so so professional 😍 I wish you the best look on your business

[@lizmiller2341]

Apple! Beautiful work your planners. Thank you for sharing your story with us! Best of luck!

[@julieraymond4237]

Beautiful and so inspiring!

[@MiStuSia16]

Wow, the planners look amazing. Beautiful! And you did it all by yourself! Congrats! I know this feeling of being „restricted” in a way - most of these type of videos are from the US and I sometimes feel jealous of their bigger client base and planner/scrapbooking industry being so big and popular. It’s more difficult for people like you or me but nonetheless , here you are, you’ve made it! Sending love from Poland!

[@Alina-um6we]

This is so relatable. I'm from Ukraine and it's impossible even to register on Etsy 🥲

[@jenniferlambert3886]

I’m from the US. It’s actually quite intimidating to start any kind of business here because there is so much competition.

[@kaylynnleebell4774]

APPLE!🍏 Hey I'm a new subscriber, I'm from South Africa too. Thank you for your inspiration! I would love to start my own small business too, you made me more excited to go for it🤭 I'm proud of you for how far you've made it with your business and may it grow more and become even more successful!🥰❤

[@mariashabbir7629]

This is so inspiring. Wishing you growth and prosperity!

[@Justin_W]

Apple. This is seriously impressive!!! I had NO IDEA this could be done at home! But, since I live in a small island country, this kind of thing is expensive to produce and even more expensive to ship. Still, this is very impressive and inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

[@madihaikram5875]

I am watching your videos they are very inspiring and beautiful. By far you’re the one person who has shown the whole process of making planners from scratch in each of your videos. I am stay at home mom, your work has inspired me to motivate myself to regenerate my long lost creativity. In the holy month of Ramadan, I am closely watching your videos and learning from you a lot. May god bless you😇 and fulfill all your dreams 💭

[@JMThings]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@GrantGreetings]

I too have a handmade spiral bound book business. Your books are absolutely beautiful! I took a look at your Etsy shop and would like to suggest that you create more books like the $40. one but leave off the suggestion that it is only for South African teachers. You will get way more sales if it is for all teachers. I am also a homeschool teacher. Teachers are always using planners so you are definitely on the right track.

[@JabouJ.]

Apple! Thanks so much for sharing, your products look great!

[@romheljeanabalos2692]

You inspire me. Thank you. ❤️

[@Gold_gyrl]

But all the material and equipment, ink and printer etc. cost nearly $1000 correct?

[@LadiesofPurposeTV]

Awww I love this! Great job:) I was just thinking it’d be great if I could hire you to make specific planners for my business & then you said you can’t ship to US. Lol. Love that you put scriptures in it!!! God Bless your business!!!

[@JMThings]

Thank you so much! Hopefully in the near future I'll be able to ship to the US 🌻

[@LovetheWordslearn]

I love that the planners for the teachers have Bible verses. Continue to be courageous! I started my teaching English channel and will never give up!

[@sehzzy]

Apple 😊 congrats on your small business growing leaps and bounds 😊🙌 very inspiring and I absolutely love your designs. I’m wanting to do designs and artworks for journals but I have no idea where to start 🙈 keep inspiring others around you! ❤

[@VeroDeDream]

APPLE. I am very proud of you. I can't wait to see you grow. I love that you sew the planner together. Never saw it done before. 🎉 keep going ❤

[@peitrab4121]

Apple....just subscribed to your channel. Your planners are so beautiful. Watching from Barbados.

[@Robin_In_CA]

“Apple” Congrats on following your dream. A very inspiring story!!!

[@anonymous2286]

Apple. Thank you for sharing your journey! Your books look beautiful

[@holisticmaymay]

Apple! Always so inspiring to see craft as beautiful as book binding help you become a successful entrepreneur. Love it all!

[@djenabalynnneri6535]

Apple. So proud of you! Loved to hear see more videos from you as it inspires us who also dreamt of having small business like this.

[@holbrookdaddy1]

You’re an inspiration for me to get started producing small daily planners. Thank you. 🙂

[@Cocacabana777]

Beautiful work 😊 love it!

[@staceyanable]

Apple 🍎. Thank you so much for sharing. I shall check out your course. I really like paper and paper products and enjoy crafting with paper and threads, yarn and just about anything that can be upcycled. All the very best with your business. I pray it will grow leaps and bounds! Blessings

[@blackrosepages6886]

Apple! So proud to see a South African in the "crafty" space.

[@rnv4058]

Apple love this video and your inspiration. Your work looks amazing !

[@theirishcailin333]

You're video just came up and I'm so glad. Thoroughly enjoyed watching and you were so clear and concise! I watched till the end and definitely going to subscribe 😊 I make cards but so hard to sell them! It's something I'd really love to do as a job!

[@timelessmemories5150]

apple so happy you are here to share you journey

[@kareecase6410]

apple! Thank you. Journal making/bookbinding is a fascinating art and one that I am so intrigued by as things become more digital. Your first book -- a total success!! Looking forward to more videos from this channel. :):)

[@talejosef]

I am inspired! Congratulations!

[@priskamagdalenasinem7032]

Thank you for sharing your journey, I am encouraged by your video, and I am currently about to start my small business selling digital journal ♥️

[@nnekaeuchariaogbonnah1473]

Your just popped now and I decided to watch it. Thank you for inspiring me.

[@OdinOddly]

I loved this and found it wonderfully helpful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story, and some of your techniques for getting started. Apple. ^.^ I was with you the whole way!

[@dallamiaparte5174]

Thank you so much for sharing, you are inspiring me. Good luck 😊

[@MsMeyara]

I believe that everything was so meant for you to do this. I don't know who you are , or why your video was recommended to me, but this was sooo inspiring.

[@NathaliaGAS]

Apple!!! Love your video! Thank you for sharing

[@AlihassanAlihassanrao]

Your book look amazing❤

[@zunishaclassic]

Apple 🍎...... good luck on your beautiful business 🎉 6:49

[@saawoodman]

APPLE! Beautiful work!

[@karenmcnamara4585]

Apple, I am so happy to see that you have been able to make a business with not a whole lot of money to start, thanks for the inspiration.

[@bethadamsofficial]

Apple! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story!!! Very inspiring!

[@srijitapaul288]

Wow, your book looks amazing 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@user-ig8og7si9h]

Thanks for sharing. It is so inspiring.

[@Teyliaj]

Thank you for this. Great video

[@rabia792]

Nice work...I love it

[@bakerwannabe4435]

I enjoyed your video. Thank you

[@melodyabbee5325]

Greetings from Texas in the USA! I am proud of your success and determination! I wish you the best of luck in your new venture!

[@deniseweber9990]

APPLE! Thank you for sharing!

[@nirellediamond]

Apple, thank you for the inspiration!

[@user-nu5rs7nn8l]

Beautiful books, especially the teacher's planner. I especially love that you included scripture quotes to inspire the teachers.

[@monicasosa4566]

Lovely story! I wish you the best!

[@AnnvanEssen]

Wow, you are an inspiration for those who would like to start a business on their own.. I wish you all the succes you need and go go girl! You got this!💪👊⚘⚘⚘ greetz from Holland.

[@twinklebeeph]

I love this video!

[@antheacoetzee3198]

You are an inspiration, keep going.

[@rhondahaynes1872]

Apple! I’m planning to start my own planner business and this video is the first I watched. Thank you for sharing and love it

[@reeree80]

Apple! I have not thought about ever making my own planners myself but your video popped up and i loved watching it. Well done and all the best withyour business ☺️

[@gardenglory6624]

your books are stunning.

[@grace48085]

Apple! This is absolutely fabulous. I live in the US now but had been a teacher in SA for many years. This teacher planner would have been a gem. Keep doing this and growing.

[@doraaddy4408]

I love everything you do. ❤🏅🏅🏅

[@yasir360printing6]

So Inspiring , Thank you so much❤

[@JmbleiTree]

Apple! This is wonderful! Thank you for sharing!

[@valeriewhyte5955]

Beautiful story I wish you continued success.

[@roannemandap9150]

Wow! That would also be my dream business. Your planner is so beautiful!

[@mwdanay]

This video was super inspiring.. thank you for creating it

[@angelique8258]

Apple! Thank you for sharing your journey with us!

[@Kat_and_Luna]

🍎 🍏 I’m so happy KZbin showed me this video again as I’d watched quite a while ago and had lost track of it and your channel when I created my new KZbin acct! Your video here was the final push I needed to open my sticker and stationery shop this summer and two weeks ago I had my first pop up! Thank you so much for your gentle encouraging video 💖

[@AMMBER9]

Wishing you best of luck

[@LilianaMenegon]

Apple! Thank you so inspiring!

[@thecurator2626]

This is phenomenal.

[@night.terras]

*APPLE 🍎🍏* You are so inspiring!! I hope your business achieves amazing things ❤❤

[@milanols]

It's inspiring and your designs are beautiful ❤ all the success 💗

[@waynehuntingford108]

Apple ... I am a small printing business in the UK and have been inspired by your determination. As an ex SA pat I subscribed and look forward to more videos on how you are doing. Keep it up girl. Can't get enough of the accent. Kisses ...