Thinking about taking the leap from part-time Creator to full-time? Louise from Two for Joy Illustration has done just that!
Read all about what life is like as a full-time Creator below.
What inspired you to transition from your office job to becoming a full-time card creator?
Honestly, freedom. When you have small children you need to be so flexible each and every day. I can work all my hours around my family and also not have the guilt that comes with leaving them with someone else every single day. I did love my job, don’t get me wrong! But this feels much more ‘me’, and much more rewarding.
How did you know it was the right time to make the switch?
I had to make the decision earlier this year actually when my maternity leave was ending. I had baby twins just last year and my older son had just started school. I just didn’t see how I was going to fit it all in. That plus, the cost of childcare in this country was astronomical. Being at home with the littles would literally be saving us money, so the timing felt right to jump into greeting cards full time, around family life.
What were the biggest challenges you faced when you first started out as a full-time card creator?
Probably knowing where to start. Although it’s ‘just cards’ – it’s more than that. Do I concentrate on wholesale, retail, licensing, or online platforms? I decided to plan for the next 12 months rather than panic about the next 12 hours. It feels more productive to have long term goals, especially when you are parenting around your work.
How do you stay motivated and avoid creative blocks?
OK, that is a hard one. I always get creative blocks or more commonly I just want to ignore a project and start something new and exciting. But to help keep me on track I have a big noticeboard with little post-it notes on the main projects I’m working on. I can switch to another of these projects which keeps things exciting but I do try not to let myself float off into something new. I’m also BIG on to-do lists.
What are some key milestones or achievements you've reached?
Well, I handed in my notice for my full time job in January of this year and so far I’ve had my own trade show stand (PG Live). That was a huge milestone and I only booked it 12 weeks before the event too so I shocked myself with that one. I have secured a licensing deal with a wholesaler who sells into lots of garden centres, so that is exciting, and I designed a card for a viral video which did quite well on thortful too, which was one of my aims for the year. I have also reached the finals of the Henries awards this year so I’d say a pretty strong start for my first year full time Two For Joy.
What are your future goals for Two for Joy Illustration?
My future goals are that I’d like to expand into more giftware and I’d also like to continue to expand some of my design-led ranges such as Bookish, and the children’s cards too.
How do you balance working full time and being a full time mum?
I work in the evening and get the odd day when I can get some help. Thankfully I am a bit of a night owl so I work until the small hours a lot! The great thing about being a small business is I can get passive income on thortful and I can ‘pause’ my online shop if I need to.
What advice would you give to someone considering leaving their job to pursue creating full time?
I would say get as much work under your belt before you make the leap. If you have ideas, sit with a notepad in your evenings even for 30 mins and get everything down. Really have a plan, and then you’re not starting day 0 with a blank page. If you can slowly build designs on thortful you will start to notice what types of cards sell well, and then at least when you have time, you know where to focus your efforts.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of becoming a full-time card creator?
Again it’s freedom! Things are on my terms, i don’t have to request annual leave for things, and sometimes I get to draw all day. I get to be with my littles, and I don’t miss sports days, nativities, etc. I love it!
A huge thank you to Louise for speaking with us. Becoming your own boss is incredibly life-changing and rewarding – could it be the right path for you? If you needed a sign to take your thortful designs full-time… maybe this is it!
