you're gonna make it after all!

Guess who’s starting a small business? Yeah, I am.  Well, I’m going to try. I keep hearing the theme song from the Mary Tyler Moore Show in my head...

Why am I starting a business (I am an architect, after all and we typically have no business skills)?

Well, unfortunately for me, I was one of so many architects in Chicago who lost their job this year.  The recession has been brutal for the construction industry and probably will take a lot longer than most professions to bounce back.  Instead of getting frustrated and depressed about it, I am taking matters into my own hands. I’m starting my own small business.  It started as an idea to keep myself occupied during my time off, but hopefully I can earn a little money to help pay rent and eat occasionally. Luckily, I have a husband with a business background to help with any questions that arise (and there have been a lot).

What is the business?

I have always had an appreciation for graphic design to the point where I am constantly thinking of going back to school and changing careers. When I got engaged, I decided I wanted to design and make all of the printed material for our wedding. I made everything from the wedding invitations to the programs and table settings. It was so much fun and I received a lot of positive feedback. Since then, I have created a few more stationery designs and wedding invitations for friends and family. I hope to continue designing and start selling my work online as soon as possible!

I discovered this website, www.etsy.com that sells and promotes handmade products. It is fab-u-lous! Etsy has become my go-to website whenever I want to buy something unique that I wouldn’t necessarily find in a department store. How does it work? Designers can register, create an online shop, and sell their goods. If their product sells, there is a small percentage of the profit that goes back to the website. Not a bad deal. Everything I have bought has been well made and creatively designed. Have I told you how much I love this website?

Here is a little sample and sketch of one of my creations that you will find in my Etsy shop (coming soon...):

This design was inspired by a road trip to the orchards in Door County, Wisconsin last year. I was talking with a friend at the farmers market last week, excited about the apples that are coming in season soon, and thought of this idea (or variation of it anyway). I went home and started sketching and then created the image in Illustrator of an abstracted apple tree.

Feel free to comment and critique. Thanks for reading!