Innovation

Innovation

For the month of January, I am featuring Business Women. Women who have started their own business and would like to share their journey of how and why they chose their enterprise. These ladies offer insight and encouragement on starting a business making it a reality and not just a dream.

Today, I am featuring Eileen McKenna. She works in Graphic Design and Marketing. She also has a Painting and Illustration blog.

Welcome Eileen!

1. Tell a little about yourself and your business.

I live in the suburbs of New York City, not far from the beach, with my husband and three kids. In college, I majored in business, and then went to work at an ad agency. Even though I was working at an ad agency, I longed to be in the art department. So, I began studying graphic design at the School of Visual Arts. This lead to a 20+ year career in graphic design and marketing. I started working independently in September of 2014. The services I offer are mainly web design, and email and social media marketing. I also draw and paint and blog about it at www.mycreativeresolution.com.

2. Why did you decide to launch the type business that you did? What was the brainstorm that motivated you forward?

During earlier freelance years I worked one on one with many clients, but at the time once a client had a website they were good for at least 5 years. This was way before the time of social media and blogs. Websites were much more static. It was a challenge to always find new clients/new work especially when I had very small children at home.

In 2014 when it was time to leave the marketing agency I worked at, I was ready to take the plunge and work for myself again, with a new approach. With email and social media marketing, there is repeat work I can offer clients. And the nature of websites has changed. Clients constantly need updates made. Even during periods where I don’t have any new clients, I have the repeat business. I love building these ongoing relationships – getting to know a client and their business. It’s so fulfilling!

3. How did you launch your own business? Other than, money, what were your first steps?

I read a lot of books and listen to many podcasts. I love learning about other entrepreneurs and other small businesses. One thing, I learned was that people that have hired you in the past are the most likely to hire you again. I let many previous clients know what I was doing. Some hired me right away. One waited almost a year – but became one of my biggest clients. I also told my friends what I was doing, because I knew that previously referrals were a huge part of where my projects came from. I’ve realized that people cannot hire me if they don’t know what I do. Facebook is a great place to share the different projects I work on. And I’ve gotten hired because of these posts.

4. What would you do over or change?

I can’t think of anything I’d do over, even though things haven’t always gone perfectly. I’ve realized that every misstep is just an opportunity to learn and grow from. And I try hard not to repeat these mistakes.

5. What encouragement would you give other women in starting their business adventure?

Go for it!

Take advantage of all the advice and resources online.

Join a networking group.

Be flexible. Listen to what clients are asking for. I’ve added services to fulfill a client’s need and it’s deepened that relationship as well as expanded my business.

Eileen McKenna

Graphic Design and Marketing: www.eileenmckenna.com

Painting and Illustration blog: www.mycreativeresolution.com

Thanks Eileen for sharing your experiences and journey with your business. I believe you painted a great picture of becoming an entrepreneur. And, I agree with you about listening to people. It can develop lasting relationships.

Gallery

EPSON MFP image

 

Gallery!

For the month of January, I am featuring Business Women. Women who have started their own business and would like to share their journey of how and why they chose their enterprise. These ladies offer insight and encouragement on starting a business making it a reality and not just a dream.

Today, I am featuring Megan B. Gill. I met her at Amber Leaf in Gallatin, Tn. If you’re in the area, I encourage you to stop by and check out her booth, or visit her website. Megan’s craft is absolutely, beautiful.

Welcome Megan!

1. Tell a little about yourself and your business?

I am a Mixed Media Artist living in Hendersonville, Tennessee. I graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts in Graphic Design. I fell in love with web design and have worked as a web designer for 7 years.

After 7 years in the corporate world left my body stressed and unhealthy. I then went on a journey of discovery back to my first love of art to get healthy again.  My passions include flowers, dresses, and everything girly.  I experiment with texture, color, watercolor, acrylic and oil paint, joint compound, stencils and always glitter.

I am currently selling my originals at Amberleaf Marketplace in Gallatin and  www.meganbaileygill.com.

You can purchase prints of her artwork at www.society6.com/meganbaileygill.

2. Why did you decide to launch the type business that you did?

The biggest reason I decided to quit my day job and become a full time Mixed Media artist was because my body made me! My body and soul was telling me to just do it. I was scared to death of failing but, I am even more scared with the possibility of succeeding!

But, I know, I have to make art and even though I was creative being a web designer, it was sucking the life out of me literally.  My body began rebelling against anything I did. I developed neck pain from working on the computer that I was having to take days off to rest my neck and hands. I knew I had to do something and my husband wanted his wife back. He encouraged me to do what I needed to do, to be healthy and happy.

3. How did you launch your own business?

Art is hard to sell. It is very subjective and personal but, the one thing I learned about myself in college was that even though, I am not the most creative person in the place, I have a very strong work ethic. The first year I quit my job I learned! I took a million online art classes that inspired me to create again. I also did a lot of soul searching about what made me happy and I learned what I was good at doing.

I read a lot of books and one of the most helpful books I read was “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield.

The main concept I got out of the book was in order, to be successful in anything – you have to show up – you have to do the work – you must create. I also read a lot about selling. Selling is a numbers game. So, the second year was just about creating things. I kept watching online videos and created a lot of things. I then began sharing what I was doing on social media. Then finally, I did my first art show at a local craft fair. It was very successful. I was shocked and still am every time I sell something. During all this time, I think I went through every emotion known and did a lot of praying. I would go through days where I thought “this is good stuff” then other days thinking “this is no good, why am I doing this.” Every time, I was about to quit, a “God Thing” would happen and a door would open.

Some of the practical things I did was:

• Share what I was doing on social media
• Create a website
• Make a lot of list of things to do and goals
• Be open to doing commissions
• Remember what I put out is a reflection of my brand so everything needs my website on it
• Be active on social media and join groups and participate in them

4. What would you do over or change?

I think there were some opportunities I said no to that I probably should have done.

I would change the fear! Feel the fear and do it anyway. I think fear stands in my way a lot!

I wish, I could say I had started earlier but I think my art is a reflection of everything I have been through. Every year, every struggle, and every good thing that I have been through to get to this point is reflected in all the layers I put into my artwork.

I would find help with pricing – have somebody other than my family and myself price my artwork.

5. What encouragement would you give other women in starting their business adventure?

• Get a support system – people unrelated and related to you and people who do the same thing as you.
• Know who and which support you need
• Share on social media, it will grow your confidence
• When that voice in your head says, you can’t do it – fight it! Tell it to shut up! Name the voice and tell her she is a bully and you don’t have to take it!
• Find people who have done it before you and learn from them.
• It is a long process have patience.
• Have realistic goals.
• Believe you are worth it! You deserve to enjoy what you do and to be happy! Enjoy the journey.

Thank you so much for asking me to participate!

Megan B. Gill

Thanks Megan for sharing your experiences and journey with your business. I believe the reader can draw (no punt intended) from your wisdom. I know, I did.

I especially, like your advice in telling fear, that she is a bully. Once, we  deal with the bully, then we can accomplish our dreams.

Gallery

EPSON MFP image

Gallery!

For the month of January, I am featuring Business Women. Women who have started their own business and would like to share their journey of how and why they chose their enterprise. These ladies offer insight and encouragement on starting a business making it a reality and not just a dream.

Today, I am featuring Megan B. Gill. I met her at Amber Leaf in Gallatin, Tn. If you’re in the area, I encourage you to stop by and check out her booth, or visit her website. Megan’s craft is absolutely, beautiful.

Welcome Megan!

1. Tell a little about yourself and your business?

I am a Mixed Media Artist living in Hendersonville, Tennessee. I graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts in Graphic Design. I fell in love with web design and have worked as a web designer for 7 years.

After 7 years in the corporate world left my body stressed and unhealthy. I then went on a journey of discovery back to my first love of art to get healthy again.  My passions include flowers, dresses, and everything girly.  I experiment with texture, color, watercolor, acrylic and oil paint, joint compound, stencils and always glitter.

I am currently selling my originals at Amberleaf Marketplace in Gallatin and  www.meganbaileygill.com.

You can purchase prints of her artwork at www.society6.com/meganbaileygill.

2. Why did you decide to launch the type business that you did?

The biggest reason I decided to quit my day job and become a full time Mixed Media artist was because my body made me! My body and soul was telling me to just do it. I was scared to death of failing but, I am even more scared with the possibility of succeeding!

But, I know, I have to make art and even though I was creative being a web designer, it was sucking the life out of me literally.  My body began rebelling against anything I did. I developed neck pain from working on the computer that I was having to take days off to rest my neck and hands. I knew I had to do something and my husband wanted his wife back. He encouraged me to do what I needed to do, to be healthy and happy.

3. How did you launch your own business?

Art is hard to sell. It is very subjective and personal but, the one thing I learned about myself in college was that even though, I am not the most creative person in the place, I have a very strong work ethic. The first year I quit my job I learned! I took a million online art classes that inspired me to create again. I also did a lot of soul searching about what made me happy and I learned what I was good at doing.

I read a lot of books and one of the most helpful books I read was “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield.

The main concept I got out of the book was in order, to be successful in anything – you have to show up – you have to do the work – you must create. I also read a lot about selling. Selling is a numbers game. So, the second year was just about creating things. I kept watching online videos and created a lot of things. I then began sharing what I was doing on social media. Then finally, I did my first art show at a local craft fair. It was very successful. I was shocked and still am every time I sell something. During all this time, I think I went through every emotion known and did a lot of praying. I would go through days where I thought “this is good stuff” then other days thinking “this is no good, why am I doing this.” Every time, I was about to quit, a “God Thing” would happen and a door would open.

Some of the practical things I did was:

• Share what I was doing on social media
• Create a website
• Make a lot of list of things to do and goals
• Be open to doing commissions
• Remember what I put out is a reflection of my brand so everything needs my website on it
• Be active on social media and join groups and participate in them

4. What would you do over or change?

I think there were some opportunities I said no to that I probably should have done.

I would change the fear! Feel the fear and do it anyway. I think fear stands in my way a lot!

I wish, I could say I had started earlier but I think my art is a reflection of everything I have been through. Every year, every struggle, and every good thing that I have been through to get to this point is reflected in all the layers I put into my artwork.

I would find help with pricing – have somebody other than my family and myself price my artwork.

5. What encouragement would you give other women in starting their business adventure?

• Get a support system – people unrelated and related to you and people who do the same thing as you.
• Know who and which support you need
• Share on social media, it will grow your confidence
• When that voice in your head says, you can’t do it – fight it! Tell it to shut up! Name the voice and tell her she is a bully and you don’t have to take it!
• Find people who have done it before you and learn from them.
• It is a long process have patience.
• Have realistic goals.
• Believe you are worth it! You deserve to enjoy what you do and to be happy! Enjoy the journey.

Thank you so much for asking me to participate!

Megan B. Gill

Thanks Megan for sharing your experiences and journey with your business. I believe the reader can draw (no punt intended) from your wisdom. I know, I did.

I especially, like your advice in telling fear, that she is a bully. Once, we  deal with the bully, then we can accomplish our dreams.