I have a lot of indie designer friends that make clothes, jewelry, children’s goods, beauty products, stationery, etc. We all work really hard on our products, from designing, producing, packaging, and marketing, it’s hard work. Often I hear “you’re so lucky to be doing this for a living” while I know that it’s meant to be supportive, it’s actually a little naive. Anyone that makes their living wages this way didn’t get to do so by luck. They got there by working hard, being original and never giving up. They’ve probably lost a lot of sleep and many fun nights out with friends either because they were too busy or just couldn’t afford it.
Last fall the owner of a gallery where I had some Robo Roku goodies suggested I get a studio space there, I said I couldn’t afford it. He responded in genuine shock. He said “how can you not afford it, your stuff is so great!?” My response was honest and still took him by surprise. My answer was, “because the majority of what I make I put back into my business.” I am always pushing forward, some people would be happy with where I am with Robo Roku, but I am not where I want to be. I am working on it day by day, and the things I want don’t happen overnight. I am lucky that Josh & I work well together. I am lucky that when I was little my parents always supported my creative endeavors. I am lucky that I inherited the strong work ethic of my parents, too. That said, hard work and not giving up affords me (and other indie designers) to work for ourselves.
If you’re thinking this is what you want to do with your life, know you really need to want this lifestyle, and that sometimes you may want to give up. I have weeks where I just want to get a job at McDonald’s, just to get some rest. It’s a scary leap, but if you see good responses to what you’re doing and you really like doing it, and know you won’t get tired of doing it day in and day out, then go for it. My best advice is to look for mentors and friends to help you along the way.
If you are a fellow handmade designer, I have a question for you. If a company you respected wanted to take over the production side of things, you would just continue to handle the designs would you do it? Why or why not?
