Testing the water and saying hello

Hello fellow Inspired entrepreneurs'! My name is Lindsey and I'm a newbie having joined this week.

I suppose I had better tell you all alittle about me.

I'm here because I don't know where to go in my life. I am a trained artist with a degree in Illustration. For the past year and a half I have been trying to get myself known as an Illustrator and have had a few commissions so far but nothing for companies that can pay me alot of money. I did have a part time job but my partner made me give it up because we were not spending enough time together and He thought that if I no longer worked there it would help boost me to getting a full time job like his. Week in week out in a office doing 9 till 6.

It's been almost 5 months and I still haven't got a full time job. I've applied for places but I haven't even got an interview for any of them. I wouldn't say I was depressed by the fact but I'm beginning to get sick with no money and down that no one wants me.

So what is holding me back? What is stopping me from just getting a desk job in some office with comfortable and secure pay? Because I think I'd die (not physically but mentally) if that happened. I am an artist. I crave creativity and that is my passion and what I want to make money from as well.

My problem is I'm a fantasy artist as well as being digital so already I have limited myself to an extremely small audience of people who will buy my work. I make and sell fantasy greeting cards and this is something I enjoy, so much so I even set up an online store where my designs are put on products for people to buy and while I was doing that I was the happiest I have been in along time.

However so far I have only had two sales from that store and part of me is starting to lose faith in my work and lose my dream of being a fantasy artist. How can I possible make a living doing what I love when nobody else wants it?

I need help and finding this club as well as the e-course has come to me at the right time.

Hi Lindsey

Big hugs and warm greetings to you.  I am currently an entreprenuer in training (as also juggling motherhood and part time job currently) but can tell you that in a very short period of time this site and the amazing people contributing to it will give you incredible insights into how to take your passions, creativity and confidence to levels you could not have imagined when you first made the inspired decision to join:-)

One thing I have learned from interacting with this site is that when you specialise in your very own unique expert brand you are in no way limiting yourself but in fact opening yourself up to amazing opportunities to be who you really are.  If you love what you do and put your true and authentic self into what you are creating then rest assured - you dont have "an extremely small audience" - but potentially a dedicated group of people who will love and continue to want what you do.

It sounds to me your well on your way with your greeting card concept and despite not having a great many sales, if you love what your doing then your definitely on the right track.  Working your way through Nick's and Niki's tools and advice is a great way of discovering what's getting stuck and why and after that there's no looking back....

There's no need to lose faith, you can thank yourself instead as just linking up with this site is confirmation that on some level you know exactly what you need, it just hasn't become clear yet - the exciting part starts now. 

Dreams are supposed to be BIG to stretch us and to help us reach our truely great potential.  One of best tips I have had from Nick is THINK BIG and take BABY STEPS.  It of course seems so obvious that nothing big can happen if we dont just put one foot in front of the other, make one thing happen each day that moves us forward.

Love and blessings for the beginning of an exciting journey from someone who believes in you :-)

Nadine

Hi Lindsey

I agree with all Nadine has said.

Can you give us the link to your store? - I'd love to see your work. 

Don't lose heart, you've come to the right place!

Love Claire

Thanks to both of you for your kind words!

I wasn't sure if linking to other sites was allowed so thats why I didn't add anything, but you can find my store at 

http://www.zazzle.co.uk/aldana07

Thanks for the link Lindsey.  It never ceases to amaze me what people can create with their imagination and their hands - and combined with new technology and the possibilities that creates, it's even more exciting.  Keep producing those designs and following your heart.

Hi Lindsey

Welcome on board and I wish you every success. A thought I had was rather than thinking about "Only two sales" - think about how wondreful it is that there is obviously an interest and demand for what you do - now it is about casting your net wider to find more people that love your style of art. Trust that there are hundreds more people out there who will love, so keep showing up and letting people see what you do

Best wishes

Nick

Hello Lindsey,

I feel in my heart that you do know where to go in your life and you are being guided there that's why you are so happy when you are doing what you love. 

It's really difficult at times to balance the fact that we need money to pay our bills with this inner pull that is gently nudging us towards our goal of working in a way that inspires us and serves others. I think that is one of the hardest tests that we have as an inspired entrepreneur. Believe me I know what you are going through!

Reaching out to others who empathise with you and can support you is one of the best things you can do for now. Reflect on the times that the doors don't open for you (such as when you don't get an interview) and question why this is happening and what this experience is showing you.

It may simply mean that you need (for now) to go and do some work that will give you some money but will have some meaning for you and your desired way of working. It could be going to work for a charity or an area related to art that will give you more pleasure than taking a desk job in a corporate office.

It can be frustrating when things don’t happen as quickly as we want. But when you look back at the times you’ve had to wait for things there is normally a good reason why you didn’t get what you wanted instantly.

At the moment you may just need to be building up your skills in running a business; so that you can attain your goal of working as a fantasy artist when you know enough. One thing I know for sure is that if you give up your dream now and go to work in an office the inner pull to your true calling will keep nagging at you. You've done a great thing by joining this community and I’m sure that you will receive what you want and the timing will be perfect.

I hope this makes sense as I've got flu at the moment but I felt compelled to write this message to you.

Julie

Hi Lindsay!

Just been to look at your site.  It is great - I love the way you can zoom in on the pictures to look closely.  Just wondering what other artefacts you could put your images on other than cards?  Also I wonder if there are any writers or storytellers in this group who you could collaborate with?

I see you are based in Kent so maybe you could make it up to the next Inspired Entrepreneurs meeting in London? You will find a warm welcome and lots of support and encouragement.

All the very best

Cherry

Well I must say thanks you again for all your kind words of encouragment and support. Since I was last here I have been very busy.

A few weekends back I went to a local festival celebrating all things faery and fantasy and I met 3 of my favourite fantsy artists and showed  them my portfolio which they were very happy to see and gave me some great advice.

Afterwards I got down to remaking my own website which not only servers for my fantasy art but my animal art as well. 

It is still in the early developing stages but I think this personal website is just what I need as well as my own store on Zazzle.

I have got myself a little part time job in the mean time just to give me something else to do and get a bit of an income. Also there has been talks of a local art show that I might enter for at the place I am now working.

So again thank you very much.