The Reluctant Entrepreneur
I never wanted to start my own business, yet here we are…
My expression says it all, folks! Tired, uncertain, reluctant...but doing it anyway :)
Entrepreneurship does not come naturally to me. I don’t get excited by the idea of being my own boss or creating work on my own terms. The thrill of building something from the ground up and watching it flourish has never quite resonated with my spirit. I’ve never bought into the dream of “easy money” or the notion that doing what you love means “you’ll never have to work.” And yet, here I am, giving this thing a shot.
As I near the completion of another degree, I find myself at a crossroads without a clear path forward. Unlike my previous educational endeavors, I entered fashion school with less of a concrete plan and more of a desire to dive into a subject I’ve always craved to explore. This shift in perspective is significant for me; I’ve always been a planner, someone who meticulously charts their course. But now, I’m learning that sometimes, the best experiences come from uncertainty and exploration.
The Birth of Prints by Nessie
Prints by Nessie Logo
Enter Prints by Nessie, a project born out of necessity rather than a grand entrepreneurial vision. I needed an outlet to keep my creative momentum alive, and this space emerged as a solution. It’s more than just a business; it’s a sandbox environment where I can experiment, play, and build my confidence as an artist and designer.
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges already. I often catch myself waiting for that elusive moment when I’ll finally “feel” like a designer or an artist. However, I’m beginning to understand that those feelings don’t always just magically appear for some of us; they’re cultivated through action and experience. By creating, I am slowly shaping my identity in this field and carving out space for my artistic voice.
An unexpected place I’ve been putting my knowledge to action is the development of this website! I’m extremely proud to be able to flex my ever-evolving Photoshop and Illustrator skills by designing all my own brand logo and graphic assets. I can’t wait to keep building on the library of graphic imagery that makes up my visual identity.
Discovering Myself Through the Process
Brushes and paints and palettes, oh my!
Above all, I hope to learn more about myself through this surface pattern design journey. I may not be a natural-born entrepreneur, but I am learning to embrace the process. And this process of exploration is not just about creating products; it’s about discovering my voice and style as a designer.
As I move forward with Prints by Nessie, I aim to cultivate an environment where I can try new things, make mistakes, and learn from them. So, here’s to embracing the unknown, taking chances, and discovering what it truly means to be an artist and designer. And who knows? Maybe one day I’ll look back and realize that the journey itself was the most valuable part of this whole experience. Until then, I’ll keep creating, experimenting, and learning—one print at a time.
