Business Journal: a place to celebrate wins & reflect - 31st Edition

July’s highlights included designing and launching a new sticker collection, focusing on fulfilling a record number of wholesale orders, and working to streamline my business all while enjoying summer.

The Big Wins

• Designed and launched a new sticker collection around gun reform and abortion rights. It was honestly hard to make these but I feel it’s important to contribute my artwork to the cause and continue to amplify important messages and dialogue happening in our country.

• Completed a Human Design reading with Mel McSherry which taught me that I am a Manifesting Generator. If you’ve ever wondered how I get “so much done” each month, it might have something to do with me being able to sustain getting more done than the average person and being an ideal multitasker. I’m excited to apply my learnings and continue to look inward to optimize my business and lifestyle to best suit me.

• Participated in the Faire Summer Market and fulfilled over 40 orders in July. I’ve been doing more business on Faire and have earned “Top Shop” recognition again this quarter! Outside of Faire, I’m still fulfilling wholesale orders too, including ones this month for Historic Milwaukee, Inc., Sacred Art, and Good Things Vending.

General Updates + Accomplishments:

• Wrapped up cohort four of Self-Made Artist Academy. Another great cohort is in the books. Stay tuned for when it will be coming back, likely early next year. If you or someone you know are interested in doing an independent study, reach out to me and we can discuss your options.

• Worked on cool design projects including the new book cover that I collaborated with Peoria illustrator Jeremy Berkley for J Kirk Perry, inclusive design updates to a design for CandleTit, and new custom merchandise concepts for The Vintage Royalty. ICYMI: I also shared a blog post on my recent work rebranding Mission 2 Organize. Read it here.

• Celebrated Daniel’s birthday in Grand Rapids, Michigan. What’s more Daniel than taking a train to a new city to check out local breweries, restaurants, and a backpack manufacturer? We enjoyed the walkable neighborhood of East Hills and even got Daniel a souvenir transit pass to add to his collection. (Grand Rapids’ transit system is called The Rapid - what a fun name!)

• Enjoyed summertime in Chicago. I attended a range of creative events including the incredible Nick Cave exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art (twice), Freedom Fest hosted by Revolution Brewing, The Devil Wears Prada Musical, and the One Design Studio Tour hosted by the Chicago Graphic Design Club. I also reached Level 7 on Google’s Local Guides and have made over 700 contributions.

• Presented on Charging Your Worth with Confidence in partnership with the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. It’s always great to get to present on topics that I am passionate about (and get paid for it). Stay tuned for another library-funded presentation coming later this year. You can watch the recording of my presentation here.

• Visited family in Milwaukee and attended Summerfest. Highlights included lots of cheese, fresh squeezed lemonade from Catalano’s Lemonade, eggplant fries and of course seeing bands like The Revivalists, Houndmouth, KC and the Sunshine Band, and more.

• Streamlined my wholesale processes which included working on a full inventory of all stickers as well as investing in a new Rollo wireless label printer to help speed up the packaging and shipping process. I also got a brand new iPad Air and Apple Pencil that I paid for exclusively with credit card points, which is pretty cool.

• Stepped in to co-host the next Sunnyside Chats. I am subbing for co-founder Andi Mints while she's on maternity leave. If you’ve been around for a while, you should know that I am a huge fan of Sunnyside Chats and have been a devoted attendee since moving to Chicago in June 2019. Leigh and I would love to see you on August 17th at Free Mvmt Shop. Grab a ticket here.

July felt like a month dedicated to creating, frequently packaging orders, and trying to enjoy all summer in Chicago (and Milwaukee) has to offer.

In August, I am most looking forward to co-hosting Sunnyside Chats, updating Lettering Works’ brand photography with SMAA student Kara Hoganson, taking a vacation to Colorado for a bachelorette party and visit with my brother, and being a featured Leaper at AMAC’s Legends & Leapers. Summer is a mix of slow and busy, so reach out today if you’d like to chat more about how we can work together.

Thank you for being here, for supporting me, and for following along with my entrepreneurial journey.

PS - Have a project you’d like to chat about? Grab your free 20-minute project consultation + ensure your project gets on my calendar in 2022. Bring on all the logos, branded merchandise, + brand identity projects… let’s make some beautiful + impactful things together.