My first year of self employment

My one year of self employment anniversary is here! It has been a difficult journey going from fully employed complete with paychecks and benefits to fully self employed without any of those reassuring things. I have probably learned more this year than any other. Learning how to manage my clients, marketing and workflow has been fun and interesting. Managing my anxiety and stressful nature has been another. Self employment is a great thing but included with that package is the stress of no work and the stress of too much work. Handling that has been so challenging but I feel like I have finally learned to let go, stop worrying and just go with it. I have probably worked more hours this year than I can remember with sometimes only a handful of those hours billable.

No one ever said starting a business would be easy. Of course, I had to make it extra hard on myself and start two businesses at the same time. Fortunately, I've had amazing support from everyone around me to keep me sane when I can't see clearly. Now, one year later, I am just a few weeks away from the true launch of our greeting card company Paper Loop. Rob and I are really excited to go to the National Stationery Show and see what it's all about. There have been countless hours put into sorting out the details of having a booth, something I was not at all prepared for, not to mention the actual products. Going to a trade show is the most unfamiliar thing I've ever done. At times I wanted to rip my hair out screaming, dealing with one unknown after another. At least now we've narrowed it down to getting our final materials ready to ship out to New York.

I am looking forward to another year filled with new adventures, new clients and new inspirations. Making it through my first year reassures me that I can do it again for another year. Although it was hard, things tend to get easier the second time around. The things I love most about being self-employed are setting my own schedule, working from where ever I want, worrying only about myself and what I want, having the freedom to try new things and make new art, and of course time off whenever I want it!

Goals for my second year:

1. Expand Paper Loop to a national level.
2. Get new illustration jobs in editorial, advertising, fashion, publishing, licensing etc...
3. Create a body of fine art based on shapes, textures and colors.
4. Continue getting consistent client based work.
5. Generate interest + sales of my custom pet portraits.
6. Create a custom products for Paper Loop.

Other things I'd like to do:

1. Read more books.
2. Take a vacation! Grand Canyon maybe? Hawaii?
3. Continue my quest for the best mexican food in New Mexico.

Paper Loop Site Update

Check out the new Paper Loop site! There are lots of new cards added for our debut Spring/Summer Collection 2008. The National Stationery Show is only 3 weeks away and we are almost ready to go. Just a few more details to sort out. Check back soon for our new card line available for purchase on Astronaut Cat.

My favorites are Crocodile Gift, Tree Set & Snail Birthday. Who could resist that happy little snail?