Lettering Works Business Journal - June in Review
June’s highlights included launching Disability Pride, submitting a big application, attending an aviation conference, and visiting my family in Colorado.
If you’re new here, welcome to my business journal. This eighteenth edition of the monthly business journal blog post celebrates the wins and serves as a space of reflection of this business journey, which has been such an important practice for me since January 2020.
Winning design from the Disability Pride Collection. Shop the winners here.
Chicago Walk for Kidneys
The Big Wins
I launched Disability Pride! This new collection was designed to promote disability acceptance over awareness, while empowering those of the disabled community to unapologetically be who they are, take up space, and dismantle ableism. I hosted a fun NCAA-style tournament to determine the most popular designs (that were then turned into stickers). Learn more about the project here and shop the winning designs here.
I submitted my ACDBE Application! The ACDBE (Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) Certification opens doors to doing business with airports. It was an intense application to complete with 20+ required documents in addition to several questions.
Lettering Works sponsored the Walk for Kidneys in Chicago! Since launching Cool Beans in March 2020, I’ve found several ways of getting involved with the kidney community. This was my first kidney walk as a sponsor. I handed out buttons, stickers, and magnets from the Cool Beans collection. The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois raised over $200,000 through this year’s event.
Exploring the Crush Walls in Denver
Mural in Denver by Jamie Molina (@cuttyup)
ADPKD Infographic. Download a copy here.
Hiking with my parents at the Flatirons in Boulder
General Updates:
I celebrated two years in Chicago! I’m so grateful for the continuous growth and learning that Chicago has afforded me. From growing my product line to working with museums and local shops to branding some really cool businesses, I cannot wait to see what will come next.
I’ve been participating in the WBDC Top Shelf Retail Cohort Program. This cohort meets virtually for three hours a week and has already taught me so much about what goes into getting your product on mass retail shelves.
I read Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss. This excerpt from the end of the book stood out to me as it affirms the value of carving out time each day to read: “Feeding your mind is how you become your own best coach.”
I attended the 36th Annual AMAC (Airport Minority Advisory Council) Conference. This conference was a large motivator in me submitting my ACDBE Application. I’ve already met so many inspiring and encouraging individuals in the aviation space as a result of becoming a member and getting involved with AMAC.
I visited my brother in Colorado. Highlights of my trip included seeing my brother’s new house, checking out some of his favorite local restaurants in Arvada, exploring the Crush Walls in Denver, and hiking the Flatirons in Boulder with my parents.
I enjoyed a “Staycation Day” in Uptown. After such a fun week-long staycation in May, we decided to make a habit of taking at least one day a month to explore a new neighborhood in Chicago (or one we don’t make it to often). June’s Staycation Day included exploring Montrose Harbor, eating Pho on Argyle street, and grabbing dinner and drinks at a local restaurant with a friend.
I worked on a handful of client projects including two branding projects I started last month, a postcard design, a show poster, book cover design, and ADPKD infographic, as well as a mural for a local daycare and preschool.
I had an MRA brain scan at Northwestern. This was a recommended test from my nephrologist (kidney specialist) to ensure I don’t have any brain aneurysms as they are common in kidney patients. As an entrepreneur, it can be hard to be diligent in scheduling necessary appointments and tests. Carving out time for this - even during a busy month - was a small personal win.
In July, I am most looking forward to pitching my business to retailers like Walgreens and Starbucks at the end of our Top Shelf Retail Cohort and wrapping up some exciting client work, as well as working on some new designs for museums.
Thank you for being here, for supporting me, and for following along with this beautiful journey entrepreneurship has taken me on.
PS - Have a project you’d like to chat about? Book your 2021 project today! Bring on all the logos, branded merchandise, and brand identity projects… let’s make some beautiful and impactful things together.
