The Learning Curve Diaries, Part 3 – Shekels, Shipping, and Sheer Determination
Stephen MontgomeryShare
There’s a moment in every project where you realize you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. For me, that moment came when I asked myself, “What happens if someone other than my wife buys something?” Up until then, I’d been blissfully ignoring the logistics of selling internationally. Now? I’m neck-deep in YouTube tutorials, figuring out how many shekels equal a pound and whether I can ship a plaque to Peru without losing my shirt.
The International Rabbit Hole
The first thing I learned is that “selling internationally” is a lot more complicated than just slapping a “We Ship Worldwide” banner on your homepage. There are taxes to calculate, postage rates to figure out, and something called a harmonized system code (which, by the way, is not as harmonious as it sounds).
And then there’s the question of currency exchange. How many euros, dollars, or yen equal a pound? Should I set my prices to auto-convert? Will customers in other countries laugh at me if I charge too much or too little? These are the existential crises of e-commerce.
Shipping: The Not-So-Final Frontier
Shipping is its own nightmare. Domestic postage? Easy enough. But international shipping? Suddenly, you’re dealing with weight limits, package dimensions, customs forms, and the terrifying prospect of someone halfway around the world waiting three months for their mandala to arrive.
At one point, I seriously considered limiting sales to the UK just to make my life easier. But then I remembered: Ruff Kutts isn’t about taking the easy road. It’s about creativity, connection, and sharing something meaningful with the world—even if that means learning how to calculate shipping rates to New Zealand.
The Taxing Truth About Taxes
Ah, taxes. The silent killer of dreams. Did you know there are different tax rules depending on where your customers are? Neither did I. Now, I’m knee-deep in VAT thresholds and export duties, wondering if I should’ve paid more attention in maths class.
I’m not saying taxes are the worst part of running a business, but they’re definitely up there. Thankfully, Shopify has tools to help with this... if you can figure out how to use them. Cue another trip to YouTube.
Coffee: The Real MVP
Through all of this, one thing has kept me going: coffee. It’s been my constant companion as I navigate the endless maze of e-commerce logistics. Every time I feel like giving up, I take a sip, mutter “You’ve got this,” and dive back into the chaos.
Why I Keep Going (Part 3)
Here’s the thing: figuring out international shipping and taxes isn’t fun, but it’s necessary. Because Ruff Kutts isn’t just about selling products—it’s about sharing a piece of what I’ve created with people everywhere.
So, whether it’s a mandala kit in Manchester or a cheeky plaque in Peru, I’ll figure it out. One YouTube tutorial, one spreadsheet, and one cup of coffee at a time.
Next Time on The Learning Curve Diaries
Will I conquer the mysteries of tax codes? Will I finally crack the shipping conundrum? Will I ever see daylight again? Tune in for more adventures, because this journey is just getting started.