May’s highlights included branding work for a variety of small businesses, taking a week-long staycation and exploring Chicago, and seeing my work for the first time at the Chicago History Museum.

If you’re new here, welcome to my business journal. This seventeenth 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.

The Big Wins

• I saw my custom-designed postcards at the Chicago History Museum for the first time! After working with The Field Museum, an opportunity came up to sell some of my Chicago-themed designs and a small custom-designed collection. The three selected custom postcard designs are 1. A portrait of Abraham Lincoln; 2. An illustration of the museum building; and 3. Fashion illustrations inspired by the museum’s permanent collection. Stop by the CHM’s gift shop to purchase some.

• I shared my PKD story as a guest on The Journey Continues Podcast! I’ve now worked on two projects with the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois and was honored to be asked to share more about my family history of polycystic kidney disease and our work together on their podcast. Listen to the episode here and check out our work together here.

• I sold 200+ “I Got my COVID-19 Vaccine” + Vaccinated buttons! If you are as excited as I am about being vaccinated, you can purchase your own sticker or button via my shop. I also created some new “Vaccines Save Lives” artwork after learning that organ transplant recipients don’t have the same positive response to vaccines. Protecting our immunocompromised family and friends is another great reason to get the vaccine if you are able.

General Updates:

• I was a guest on multiple new podcasts including How To Take a Break on May 19th where I talk about building your identity from truth, being honest with yourself, and how you’re never going to be for everyone. I was on This is Not Advice on May 27th where I talk about what makes a person's career work for them, why design is important, work/life balance, and what goes into saying yes and no to a new project.

• I was accepted into the WBDC Top Shelf Retail Cohort Program. This cohort will meet virtually for three hours a week for eight weeks starting in June and will help participants gain a better understanding of what goes into getting your products on retail shelves.

• I read Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller, and Dare to Lead by Brené Brown. I’m keeping up with my daily habit of reading and carving out time each week to reflect on some of the things I’m learning to ensure I can put them into action.

• I joined AMAC (Airport Minority Advisory Council) and made progress on my ACDBE Certification application. In short, I’m continuing to take steps to pursue opportunities at the airports and position myself as ready to do business with airport gift shops. I’ll be attending AMAC’s conference (virtually) next month and am excited to get more connected in the aviation and concessionaires industries.

• I took a week-long staycation with Daniel. It felt good to be able to explore Chicago a bit again. Highlights included exploring Edgewater, getting manicures and pedicures, visiting some favorite restaurants/patios, seeing some vaccinated friends, touring the Frank Lloyd Wright house, and enjoying the Van Gogh Immersive Exhibit.

• I spent a weekend in Peoria and a long weekend in Wisconsin. Getting to travel a bit more and seeing friends and family again is such a joy. I’m already looking forward to a trip to Denver next month to visit my brother.

• I started two new branding projects and have several other projects in the works. May quickly became the month of both getting lots of client work done and taking lots of breaks - which means I don’t have too much to show…yet. More to come next month!

• I developed a new passion project: Disability Pride! I’d like to consider this a natural evolution of past passion projects: Steph’s Stickers, Cool Beans, and Chronically Positive. My mentor, Randi, introduced me to Lauren of The Nora Project and inspiration struck. The big reveal of the disability-pride-inspired collection is coming in June!

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.

BONUS: Photoshoot with Chantal Pryor Photography

Daniel and I enjoyed modeling for the talented Chantal in a couple of her favorite spots in the city. Fun fact: these photos were taken the day that it dropped thirty degrees in an hour.

If you’re in need of a Chicago photographer, you can reach out to Chantal here.