Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Quit Your Day Job Feature

It was around 8am on a Saturday morning. We were in a hotel bed in Half Moon Bay, mentally preparing to shoot a wedding that day. In my attempt to wake up, I started checking e-mails on my phone. That's when I saw it. "Etsy's Quit Your Day Job Feature - Interested?" I immediately sat straight up, "omg!" Jordan rolled over. "Hm?" I'm pretty sure I didn't immediately respond, I was too busy skimming the e-mail. Is this for real? Is it legit? Omgomg!
I'm not sure how they found me. I'm not sure how they knew I quit my day job. But wow. I felt so lucky. The Quit Your Day Job series is one I have read for years, dreaming that "one day that would be me." Just coming to the point of quitting my day job was more than I could ask for, but actually being given the opportunity to participate in the series was pretty mind blowing.

I read over my interview answers about 50 times. I had Jordan read them as well. Besides a few grammatical changes, he told me everything sounded great. He also took my photos for the feature. I'll admit it wasn't an easy task. I swear, I thought I was getting better at having him take my picture but I think because this was so important to me that I just turned into a perfectionist freak all over again. Despite this, he did a great job.

While I was nervous that such a feature could open me and my shop up to scrutiny, reading the comments was a lot of fun. It made me really realize what my "story" is. I like that I'm not an overnight success. I like that it took a lot of persistent work to get to where I am today.  I hope that this inspires others to not give up and to continue to pursue their dreams.

If you haven't had a chance to read the article, you can do so here.


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23 comments:

  1. so proud of you!

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  2. I always wondered if etsy contacted people or if they had to submit their shops to be featured. anyways, congratulations, your shop has always been a big inspiration of mine.

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  3. Nicely done. I have done my part and shared the F**k out of this. Stoked for you.

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  4. Congratulations! That's a great write up!

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  5. Anonymous11:07 AM

    Your persistence is definitely inspiring! Congrats on the super feature. Very well deserved x

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  6. This is awesome! So happy for you and love that you weren't an overnight success too, because that inspires the rest of us to keep pushing! Congrats to you!

    -Chelsea
    chelsandthecity.blogspot.com

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  7. Anonymous11:43 AM

    You're an inspiration and I've shared your shop! Great products, can't wait for the new ones :)

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  8. What an awesome feature - congrats!

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  9. I was so happy to see you featured! Congratulations!!

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  10. I am sooo happy for you. I know you worked hard for it. Congratulations!! Keep it up!

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  11. Your story was my favorite "Quit Your Day Job" story to date. I loved reading it and I'm so happy I found your blog because of the feature. You are so inspiring!

    Tia
    http://www.TheCraftyEngineerx.etsy.com

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  12. And your interview was awesome! You answered the questions so well and professionally. I loved it all :).

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  13. Hi, Julie! I'm a new fan of your art & your blog. I'm kind of in the throes of what I'm sure you went through a while back. I'm an art teacher & love the stability of it, but I dream of one day owning my own small business & selling my artwork for a living. Hearing your story & reading your blog has been a huge inspiration to me. Now, more than ever, I'm actually looking at owning my own business as a not-too-distant possibility, rather than a silly fantasy. Thank you for being so honest on your blog & for making such a great "Quit Your Day Job" contribution. Good job on all your hard work & successes!

    http://www.talklikelovers.blogspot.com

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  14. You are an amazing woman, and you deserve every bit of success. I love hearing about your past, as well as your hopes for the future, and I hope that you continue to have fun with your business :)

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  15. Congratulation. Actually I'm really impressed about this content. I also like to say about your appearance. I like your smile and hair style very much.

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  16. Congrats Julie! You're an inspiration. Also... I just quit my day job too! I'm freelancing like a crazy lady but when I get a break in between jobs, I'll be focussing on my business ideas so I can work more and more on my own terms. I'm so excited!
    x

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  17. Your feature on Etsy was one of my faves (and how I found your blog) because you talked about how it did not happen overnight. I think it's so important to remember that when everyone else seems to be killing it, but they all started somewhere! I also want to quit my day job, but I know I still have a lot to learn. Reading about your journey has been inspiring!

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  18. Congrats! I loved reading the story and its actually how I ended up finding your blog to follow :) Now I love your work!!

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  19. WOW!!! Congratulations!!!! You totally deserve it!

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  20. This so cool, I love it when I hear stories about people succeeding with a really fun business!

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  21. Anonymous10:19 AM

    Your hair looks so beautiful in this picture! Did you color the stripe in your hair professionally or DIY?

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  22. Hi Julie Ann,
    I must say I've been reading your entire blog these days! I'm really a fan of yours and your story is very inspiring.

    I've always worked with graphic design but was quite disappointed with the profession some years ago, so I decided to work with more "traditional" (and not fun at all) things. But now I know that I shouldn't have abandoned a creative activity that soon.

    That's why I decided to assume my creative side to the world with a personal project (www.drawing-therapy.com) – with no intentions to become rich or quitting my day job next month!

    I still have a day job and I think I'll keep things this way for a while. Although I really want to develop the production of my artworks. But mainly because I think I need to feel some recognition for what I do! (also known as "that amazing feeling when someone buys one of your products").

    I admire your work and truthfully believe in your success!

    Don't change and never stop believing in your potential.

    Cheers from the other side of the ocean :)
    Bruna

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Thanks for the comment! I read them all and reply when I can. Please be sure your blogger account is linked to your e-mail so I can do so! (Tutorial on how to do that here: http://tinyurl.com/c6gh9fk) xo JA