Celebrating 10 Years in Business with 10 Creative Business Mantras to Live By
Lettering Works Launches 10th Anniversary Sticker Collection
2026 marks ten years of business for Lettering Works. I wanted to do something special to commemorate this milestone, so I set out to design a series that encapsulates the spirit and energy behind all I’ve learned and accomplished over this first decade of working for myself.
Do things your own way. Build your business the way you want.
Your personal needs, wants, and goals should feed into the business model and structure that you pick. Resist the pressure to conform with how others might do business. You know yourself best and are uniquely positioned to design a business that is right for you. There are so many ways to be successful. For example, you can be successful without hiring people and “scaling” in a traditional sense.
Pause. Hustle culture isn’t worth the hype.
When you are starting out, you may have to put more hours in, but the goal isn’t to stay stuck in the grind. Build in intentional rest and aim for systems that are sustainable from the start. There’s a reason you are working for yourself instead of someone else. Don’t fall victim to recreating the toxicity of a traditional 9-to-5 job.
Follow your passion. Find a balance between fulfilling and profitable - it’s out there!
Business isn’t always going to be fun, and that’s okay. Business is also meant to provide more than just money. It can be an incredible outlet for creativity and source of joy if you find a way to strike the right balance for yourself. You don’t have to only do the work that pays well and you also don’t have to say no to every opportunity that doesn’t make perfect financial sense. You can leverage creative passion projects to land you dream clients if you are willing and able to put in the time and effort.
Be thoughtful and intentional. There’s always an opportunity to set better boundaries and communicate more effectively.
Just because an opportunity is in front of you or someone asks for something doesn’t mean that you have to do it. You get to decide what your business policies are and how you engage with the world.
Do something small everyday. Progress over perfection.
Keep moving your business in the direction of your dreams. Always be learning, asking questions, and seeking to improve. Give yourself grace on the days that the big tasks feel too big to tackle. Don’t forget to break things down into manageable tasks when you get overwhelmed.
Invest in yourself.
Whether you invest in educational resources or your own ideas, it’s essential that you put the effort in to develop yourself and your skills alongside your business. You will have countless opportunities to grow and stretch yourself, make sure you are preparing for what lies ahead.
Don’t let imposter syndrome stop you.
It’s inevitable that you will be met with uncertainty. You can overcome it. Anxiety is not intuition. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good and encourage you to be the best version of yourself. I find it encouraging to think about how there are far more talented people making less money than me and conversely far less talented people making more money than me, I really just need to focus on myself. Comparison is the thief of joy.
Do what you love until you can’t anymore.
Don’t get too discouraged by a changing landscape. You can always learn new skills and pivot, if needed. Focus on what really brings you joy and center that as much as possible, for as long as you are able. Things can change and you might not always be able to do what you love most, but never stop striving.
Celebrate the wins.
You’re working hard and your progress - both big and small - deserves to be celebrated. Journal and reflect on your progress and don’t be afraid to share your journey and story with the world. You never know who you might inspire.
Not everything is meant for you
Some opportunities may be tempting but better suited for someone else. Let them go and get comfortable with saying no. Be discerning about what is right for you and willing to discard the advice that doesn’t serve you, your unique situation, and your goals.
To further celebrate, I created some fun happy mail using these designs to send to past clients, friends, and longtime supporters of Lettering Works. I experimented with some new colored thermal labels to decorate the envelopes and made luxe prints and stickers of this new collection. This personal project allowed me to slow down amid a busy season of work and recognize many of the people who have influenced my career over the years.
If you’ve been in business for a bit, are there any lessons that you’d add? If you’re new to business or considering starting a business of your own, which of these lessons resonates with you most? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Or reach out directly and we can chat and reflect together!
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Chelsie Tamms is an artist, educator, and entrepreneur. She founded Lettering Works in 2016, combining her love of hand-lettering with her expertise in marketing. Since then, she’s grown her business to offer custom branding packages, courses for artists, and wholesale products and merchandise—all with the mission to bring more creativity into her community and beyond. She is especially drawn to cause-driven projects surrounding mental health, chronic illness, and underrepresented communities.
