I have a very vivid, very optimistic memory of thinking that starting RainbowRegalia would mean "flexible hours." And technically, it does. I am perfectly flexible to work at 7:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and—as it turns out—at 9:00 PM on St. Patrick’s Day while the rest of the country is collectively trying to remember where they left their dignity and their house keys.
The truth is, when you’re a start-up, the "Off" button isn't just broken; it was never actually installed. Your brain becomes a permanent tabbed browser of resin curing times, postal rates, and whether or not that last batch of Pat & Kerry earrings looks more like butter or just... yellow blobs.
Case in point: St. Patrick’s Day.
While most people were busy navigating the sea of neon green and questionable life choices, I got a lovely email from a customer about an order. I replied straight away—mostly because my phone is basically an extra limb at this stage—and she was genuinely shocked. "I was not expecting a reply today!" she said.
And look, I’d love to say I was being a martyr for the cause of Irish jewellery, but the reality is that when it’s your thing, you care about it in a way that’s slightly pathological. You don’t want a customer sitting there wondering if their Lucky Punt has vanished into a post-office-shaped black hole. You want them to know you’re on it. Even if "on it" means responding while wearing a green dress, your own Pat & Kerry earrings AND necklace and swilling pints of Guinness at the Beach House.
The Great Review Silence
Speaking of caring... can we talk about reviews for a second?
I know, I know. We’re all busy. I’ve ignored enough "How did we do?" emails from my internet provider to power a small village. But for a tiny business, a review is basically oxygen.
The vast majority of people—lovely, wonderful people who genuinely like the stuff they buy—just... don't leave them. They put the earrings on, they look fabulous, they go about their day. And that’s fine! Really! But if you do have thirty seconds to spare, leaving a review is the digital equivalent of giving a small business owner a very large, very necessary glass of Prosecco.
It tells the terrifying algorithms that I exist. It tells the next person that I’m not just a fever dream or a bot. It matters. It really, really matters.
So, if you’ve ever bought a piece of RainbowRegalia magic and it made you feel like a bit of a legend, please go tell the internet. It helps more than you know.
I’m off to see if I can find the "Off" switch again. I suspect it’s hidden behind a mountain of cardboard boxes and some very sticky paper tape.
RainbowRegalia blog, starting a small business Ireland, female entrepreneurs Greystones, Importance of customer reviews for small business, handmade Irish jewellery, Pliers & Prosecco, Saint Patrick's Day 2026, Lucky Punt necklace, Greystones makers.
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