there’s a bunch of things i’d like to do in life… take a road trip across the u.s., cycle Africa, hike the Pacific Crest Trail, walk across England… but adventures like these take the kind of financial and occupational freedom that very few possess. as i see it, in order to make these adventures a reality, i need the freedom, baby: i need to work for myself.
now i certainly don’t expect to get rich selling t-shirts; this is more about getting a taste of having a business. once i had the hackney design, my mind started racing with all kinds of design ideas, each of which i could easily spend an entire evening on, if not more given my inexperience with graphic design.
i need to stay focussed on my niche market: hackney lovers. trust me, they’re out there.
so i whipped up a few more t-shirts (spreadshirt is awesomely easy to use). now it’s all about marketing.
tim gave me a great idea for a shop name: hipster tourist. then i created a really crappy but functional website where i will showcase the shirts i have in my shop and hold links to other related London things (hopefully that will give me some search-kudos in Google). regarding the logo on the website: i know that the sears tower has nothing to do with London but whatever; I made it and I liked it and it was there so there you have it. hipster tourist will eventually feature tees from all over the globe. future relevance IS relevant. dammit.
i’ve been reading jennifer laycock’s Zero Dollars a Little Talent and Thirty Days ebook. the book is based around her launch of the lactivist cafepress store (well worth a look). her shop earned over $400 in 30 days (i should be so lucky). her account is an inspiring little nugget that gives me some hope and ideas. and if i don’t make any money, at least i’m being creative.
now, about that hackney apron you’ve been searching all your life for…
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Wow, Monica… I’m excited for you! It seems as if this idea is so very “YOU” and can teach you a lot about the joys and frustrations of self-employment. Let me know if you need any help! Your graphic abilities, by the way, are very respectable. You’re very creative and have a good understanding of composition. You can hold your own with any professional, trust me. Good luck! Keep me posted! I’ll have to order something! (And I’ll wear it with pride.)
thanks! i’ve got a design all ready to go for a U.S. spreadshop but am just trying to focus on one thing at a time. i’ll let you know when it’s up!