My thoughts about the difference between being an entrepreneur and being a designer.
Summer of 2014, I was selling my illustrations in a summer market. It was very quiet, sales were close to zero, and I was a very down about it. Half-way through the summer, I took a screen printing class. Saw some maps in the studio. Something clicked in my mind. I knew I had to sell something people really liked. Everybody likes maps. I started designing maps, and cards and fun stuff like garlands. I had a blast.
I suddenly saw myself running a business. Without planning for it! It was very scary and very exciting at the same time. It took a while to accept it. I was afraid I would lose the artistic freedom of being a designer or an illustrator. I have always had an artistic mind, but adding the business side took some time. Running a business makes you an entrepreneur even if you are the one drawing.
Now I consider myself more of as an entrepreneur than a designer. Doing things for myself gives me great pleasure. Of course, there are some tasks I like less than others, but I always have a choice. And most of all, I can choose where I want to go and what to aim for.
Every morning, when I open my eyes, my boyfriend and my dog say "Hi" and I start the day knowing I do things for us. Knowing we are going forward toward our objectives of being independent and free and business-like. That makes me the happiest person.
