The Recession is Bullhonkey Aprils Story

The Recession is Bullhonkey Aprils Story Trapeze Artist by Everything Little Miss Last week, I started a new series called The Recession is Bullhonkey, where Im planning on sharing stories of those who have gotten hired and/or started their own businesses (or sometimes both!) since 2008. This is Aprils Story, who Ive had the priviledge of coaching and who I can say is one of the sweetest, hardest-working, talented designers in the biz! In 2008, I was doing a job I enjoyed for a boss I hated. The anger and contempt I felt toward my boss were taking over my life, so I was looking for a way out. After a series of (very emotional and trying) events at the office at the end of the year, I was laid off in January of 2009. It was a huge relief to not have to answer to the boss anymore, but I was also scared. The first week I did nothing but watch TV and work on getting back to a happy state of mind. Then I started looking for jobs. When youre on unemployment, you have to apply to at least 3 jobs each week. I had a pretty good resume, and even though everybody was getting laid off I thought Id find a job quickly. Id never had trouble getting hired before. After a month of no work and 0 responses to my job applications, I was getting really sick of applying. To break the  monotony, Id designed some valentines and opened an Etsy shop. And thats how, in February 2009, Everything Little Miss began. Throughout that spring and summer, I kept applying for jobs (at least 3 a week), but I had a new hobby / business to make it a little less boring. It was actually pretty fun. But then I started to get nervous again, because I was reaching the end of my unemployment and Id applied for at least 100 jobs, been interviewed and turned down for 3, and hadnt heard from any of the others. I really didnt want to apply for an extension, but I was worried that Id have to. So I wrote an email to all of my friends +  acquaintances  in the Boston area that said something like You all know Im unemployed and looking for a job, so if you know of one please let me know!!! A guy I knew responded to that email and offered me a job. Essentially, I was hired as a secretary. Not my dream job, but I would get a paycheck and Id be able to work from home remotely (yay for technology!), so I accepted with high spirits. I started that job in late August, 2009. When I wasnt answering the phone or responding to emails, I was able to do design work for my own business. That was pretty cool. At first. But the phone rang a lot, and the interruptions were killing my concentration. After awhile, I also started feeling like a loser. Why was I wasting time on a job that wasnt a career and wasnt making me happy? Of course the answer was  to pay the bills, but it just didnt feel right. I wanted to be focusing on MY business. So, I signed up for group coaching with Michelle (she totally didnt ask me to put this in here; its just part of the story) and spent time refining my business goals and coming up with strategies to reach those goals. I loved my group, and felt proud of each goal I reached with their encouragement and support. The work I did with the group helped me realize how serious I was about my business. Around the 1 year anniversary at that job, I was becoming more and more unhappy, and I was thinking about looking for another job. This time, I was only going to look for jobs that had something to do with the stationery industry. I applied to a job at The Paper Source, but hadnt really found any other relevant openings when I got the best email ever. I belong to a local group thats for women who work in design related businesses called  Design Salon. A member of the group, who happens to run a stationery/letterpress print shop, sent out an email about a job opening; she was looking for a new Office Manager. I replied right away, and was called in for an interview. You know this story has a happy ending, right? I totally got that job. I started working there in November 2010, and I love it. I am learning so much about stationery and the ins and outs of running a business. Im being reminded how important kindness in the workplace is (thank goodness). My bosses are also encouraging of my own business, and theyve taught me so much. Ive been fortunate enough to attend several trade shows with them, which has provided me with a crazy amazing inside look at the industry. I got both of my jobs since my layoff through networking in one way or another. It really is about who you know, I guess. In the long run, I want my business to be my full-time job, but for financial and practical reasons I need a full-time day job right now. My working-from-home job had advantages (no commute, time during the day to devote to my business), but ultimately it wasnt a good fit for me and it wasnt helping me reach my goals. At my current job, Im learning so much, having a great time, and truly thinking about stationery all day everyday. But I have fewer hours to devote to my business, since I have a 1 hr 15 min commute each way and Im 100% at work while at the office. So I get up early to work, and I stay up late to work, and I work on weekends. Its hard, but its worth it. If I didnt have a day job, just running my own business would be hard. Being a business owner is tricky. Period. But it is what I want to do, and so I continue to make smalls steps toward my big goal s. Okay. So hows my business been going during all of this? Well, since I started in 2009 (with 4 valentines!): Ive gotten several local wholesale accounts. Ive done indie markets in Boston and increased my retail sales tremendously. Ive built out my line enough to fill a real live catalog. Ive worked with custom clients and been featured on Style Me Pretty. I started advertising with Etsys new advertising feature, and its amazing. My sales on Etsy are better than ever before, and I havent had to increase my time commitment at all. I got an intern! My sister now helps me with the social networking side of my business. Ive gained an understanding of the wholesale stationery timeline (Christmas/Hanukkah cards have to be designed and catalog-ready by  April  and stores will want them to start shipping in August who knew?). And the biggest news? Im attending the National Stationery Show in May! Im going to have my very own booth, and Im really working toward my goal of growing the wholesale side of my business. If I hadnt been laid off in 2009, I dont know that Everything Little Miss would exist right now. I started my business on a whim, but kept with it because I love it. I feel so lucky, and as they say:  the harder I work the luckier I get. April  May started  Everything Little Miss in 2009, and has been making people smile ever since. She designs a line of darling greeting cards with a dash of whimsy.  April  lives with her husband just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Her favorite color is orange.