Lettering Works Business Journal - August in Review
I enjoyed the slowness of August more than I normally would because July was such a busy month. It gets a little harder to write each of these as I can’t help but focus on the state of our nation and the deep work around dismantling racism that still needs to be done.
From a business perspective, I spent the majority of August virtually connecting with inspiring women, wrapping up some exciting projects, and looking inward and planning what is next for Lettering Works.
If you’re new here, welcome to my business journal. This eighth edition of the monthly business journal blog post celebrates the wins and serves as a space of reflection of this business journey.
Lettering Works has a new website!
Logo design for CandleTit, LLC
The Big Wins
Lettering Works has a new website! Updates include a new homepage, main offerings pages, and more prominent press page. For a full run down of what’s new, check out this blog post.
We successfully launched CandleTit’s new branding. CandleTit is a candle company that is dedicated to celebrating breast diversity across the gender spectrum. Bailey shared her thoughts on our work together in a full blog post, which you can read here.
Brand Pattern for Up Beet Jams
August 22nd marked the one-year anniversary of launching @100DaysofChicago
General Updates:
I created branding for Up Beet Jams. Started by Peoria artist, Jam Rohr, Up Beet Jams is a vegan, plant based meal delivery service. On a social post, Jam shared that the experience of working with Lettering Works “was tremendous, excellent, fantastic, professional, perfect!” Mark your calendar, the new branding will be officially launching on September 7th.
I wrapped up work for the Hawaii-based brand: Mid-Century Aloha. I worked on a logo and four unique t-shirt designs. More details coming soon!
I launched a Threadless shop. I must admit that I’ve had plans to launch this for a while, but it usually falls to the back burner. But I committed and started by launching five mask designs with my hand-drawn patterns. You can add to your mask collecting by shopping here. I’m all about transparency - artists on Threadless currently make $2 per mask sale (of the $12-$17 price).
I celebrated the one year anniversary of the launch of 100 Day of Chicago. If you didn’t catch the passion project when I initially shared it, you can check the full collection of illustrations on Instagram.
I invested in professional development big time (again). I attended five CreativeMornings Virtual Field Trips (on ideation, mastering any foreign language, living untamed, mind over matter, and Instagram), the P5 Women’s Summit two-day virtual conference, a Ladies Get Paid lunch and learn, a Handmade Happy Hours meetup, a Tuesdays Together meetup, WESOS (Women Entrepreneurs Secrets of Success) virtual networking event, Sales for People Who Hate to Sell webinar, two Sunnyside Chats virtual workshops, CEO Days, two FemmeBought meetups, Bossy Collective meetup, and Mastermind Meeting. That’s 18 separate virtual events (three more than last month). I also had a handful of one-on-one calls to get to know other female business owners.
I presented at a Bossy Chicago Virtual Meetup. I could talk about passion projects all day, every day. Speaking on The Power of Passion Projects for the second time has me feeling excited to find more speaking opportunities. I already have a couple more lined up: one with an entrepreneurship class at Bradley University and another with the AIGA Mentor Program. If you are part of a group that is looking for speakers, don’t hesitate to let me know.
I restocked Foursided in Chicago and Lost Art in Peoria. Wholesale is ever-so-slowly picking back up. I have my hopes set on increasing orders throughout the rest of the year and trying to pick up a couple new shops as wholesale accounts.
I created two custom designs in support of the Peoria Print-a-thon. Peoria’s Print Club is running a fundraiser in conjunction with the Peoria Art Guild to raise funs to purchase equipment from the beloved Prairie Center of the Arts to keep printing accessible to the community.
I’m participating in The Art Market at the Taste of the Arts 2020 Virtual Event. The Art Market is a juried art show and featured a variety of local and regional makers. The event redirects to individual artist and makers websites, so you can use my special code “ARTLINK10” to save 10% off all postcards and stickers this weekend only.
I shared a first draft presentation for a secret project. I wish I could say more, but I don’t want to jinx the possibility of this big opportunity working out.
I don’t have as much planned for September as I would have hoped, but I think that can be the nature of freelance design and small business ownership. Looking back on these five and a half months of quarantine, I’m grateful that I’ve been able to keep myself employed and continue to serve my clients and community.
If COVID hadn’t put a halt to international travel, I’d be getting excited about a two-week vacation to Italy with my mom and Daniel starting September 9th. While it’s sad to have my third vacation officially cancelled this year, I’m doing my best to plan ways to take a break and look forward to what I can still participate in virtually. Specifically, I’m looking forward to the relaunch of AIGA Mentor Program.
If you or someone you know would like to work on a project with me, send me a message via the website contact form and I’ll get back to you promptly. I have some immediate availability in September and am specifically ready to take on some new custom brand development projects after so much momentum with recent ones.
