#7 - Is Dropshipping Worth It? What I Gained (and Gave Up)
When the Ribbon Has to Go: My Journey to Dropshipping Everything
There was a time when I hand-calligraphied every dog’s name on the front of each order. I wrapped albums in kraft paper and twine, tucked in a little packet of treats, a printed review request, and a handwritten note personalised to each client. I'd even wander into the garden to find fresh rosemary or daisies to decorate the final package, then photograph the finished result before sealing the box. It was a full-blown ritual – a beautiful one.
And my clients adored it.
They'd send me messages saying opening the package felt like Christmas morning. They’d tell me how much their dog loved the treats. Some even left reviews just to talk about how special the unboxing experience was. It wasn’t that the packaging was my favourite part of the job, but I loved hearing about how it made people feel.
It was joyful. And it was a lot.
The Breaking Point
I remember the week it all came to a head. I’d just wrapped up a string of sessions, my inbox was overflowing, and I had four album orders waiting to be quality checked, photographed, and repackaged. At the same time, my kid was home with a cold, the dog had rolled in something unmentionable, and I was staring at those albums thinking, "Do I really have the energy to do this right now?"
That was the moment I started considering dropshipping. But I didn’t make the switch right away.
For years, I clung to the idea that I had to do it all myself in order to give my clients the best. I didn’t want to lose the magic, the thoughtfulness, the connection. So I kept packaging each order with love – even when it meant working late into the night or putting pressure on my already-stretched time.
When Life Forced My Hand
The actual tipping point came later. We moved to a regional city, and suddenly, everything that had once been easy became complicated.
Back in Melbourne, couriers used to collect parcels straight from my front door. But in our new home, I had to line up at the post office, figure out limited pickup options, and juggle it all with family life. Something had to give.
So, reluctantly, I started experimenting with dropshipping.
The First Orders
The first few orders I dropshipped felt completely underwhelming. No ribbon. No handwritten notes. No dog treats. Just a plain box from the lab. When clients received them, they were always polite – grateful, even – but the emotional response? It was different. And I felt that.
But I also noticed something else: I wasn’t burnt out. I had more time. More energy. I could focus on editing, client communication, or even just being present at home. The hours I used to spend coordinating packaging and pickups? They were suddenly open.
And I realised: maybe done is better than perfect.
The Reality of Dropshipping
Let me be clear: my lab doesn’t offer fancy packaging options. No branded stickers. No notes. No customisation. So the version of dropshipping I use now is purely practical.
These days, I dropship everything. Not because it’s better. But because it’s sustainable. It allows me to continue running my business without sacrificing time, energy, or my sanity.
It doesn’t mean I’ve stopped caring. I still send a handwritten note and packet of treats after the Session Reveal. I do what I can to keep that sense of connection alive. But I’ve let go of the idea that every part of the experience has to come directly from me, wrapped in twine and love.
The Trade-Offs
Yes, there are trade-offs. I do miss the joy of packaging up an album, knowing exactly how it will be received. I miss the sweet feedback that used to follow every delivery.
But I also don’t miss staying up until midnight handwriting thank-you cards when I’d rather be asleep. I don’t miss the stress of realising I’m out of kraft paper or the scramble to get to the post office before it closes.
What I’ve come to learn is that there’s more than one way to deliver a heartfelt experience. It doesn’t all have to happen in a box.
Whether you’re Team Ribbon or Team Done-Is-Better-Than-Perfect, there’s no right or wrong here. Just the kind of business you want to run, and the life you want to have alongside it.
And if you’ve made it this far, I’d love to hear from you. I’ve just started an Instagram account for Focused on Time – come say hi at @focusedontime and let me know how you handle packaging your client orders.
We’re all figuring it out together.
Focus Assignment of the Week:
This week, I want you to look at your own client delivery process – whether you’re dropshipping, packaging orders yourself, or hand-delivering them.
Create a written system. Write down every step from the moment the order is placed to the moment it’s received. How long does each part take? What tools or supplies do you use? What could be automated, delegated, or simplified?
Being intentional with your systems helps you see where your time is going. You might find one little step that’s eating up hours without adding real value. Or you might notice a moment where a small personal touch would go a long way.
Either way, you get to choose what matters most.