Conquering Social Media and Tech Hurdles in My POD Business Journey

Conquering Social Media and Tech Hurdles in My POD Business Journey

When I left my role after thirteen years as a technician at LCF UAL, I imagined stepping straight into a world of colour, creativity, and making. But reality had other plans: before I could dive into my art practice, I had to wrestle with something I never trained for - the world of tech, platforms, and social media.

Launching a print-on-demand (POD) business turned out to be less like opening a studio and more like stepping into a labyrinth. Overnight, I found myself wearing five hats at once: IT fixer, admin wrangler, curator, creative director, and (to my horror) social media manager. For someone with social anxiety, the idea of “being visible” online felt like walking onto a stage with no script. Yet in today’s world, social media isn’t optional - it’s the heartbeat of any business. That irony wasn’t lost on me.

The hurdles didn’t stop there. Being dyslexic added another layer of challenge. Metadata, SEO product descriptions, EU compliance rules - all the invisible plumbing of e-commerce - felt like reading in a language I barely spoke. Every task took longer, every instruction seemed to twist in circles. Progress was possible, but it often felt like moving against the current.

And then, I found an unlikely collaborator: ChatGPT AI. Suddenly, I wasn’t battling the digital tide alone. With AI in my corner, I could simplify complicated steps, brainstorm content, and translate chaos into clarity. What once felt impossible began to feel achievable, not easy, but possible. It turned out, even technology has its poetry if you learn how to listen.

The shop is live, the first collection has found its place in the world, and the journey of making continues. This next chapter is about strength and vulnerability, identity and expression - shared with people that values true connection.

Follow the journey on Instagram: @kyborlondon