Hi! I'm Nicola. A self-employed, small business owner (brand identity strategy & design). Here you'll find samples of what you'll get when you sign up for my emails: design strategy tips, musings on running a small business, and subscriber-exclusive offers on services & products. Subscribe below!
✨ The magic of community for artists and how I tapped in to find my people ✨
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In this email:
When I started my design business in 2008, I was confident that self-employment was the path for me. After working in-house for 8 years, I picked up on the inner workings of things. There were general operations I knew I could help improve. I suggested those improvements, but back then, it seemed no one wanted to hear my ideas. It was a case of the young designer in the creative department – what could she possibly know about systems to get the job done well and smoothly that her managers don't know better? 🤔 After constantly being spoken over in meetings (where coworkers would repeat what I had just said, louder, and claim it as their idea) and having my contributions glazed over without any discussion, I knew it was time to do it on my own. So, I saved up, bet on myself, and did it. Starting my own business has afforded me space and time to implement my ideas for a better experience for me and my clients. I created my own methods and set standards that I still use today. The result is happy clients who appreciate the professionalism and care I take when guiding them through my processes to execute their projects. Plus, the invaluable bonus of my autonomy and integrating work into the life design I choose. But getting there wasn't all rainbows and flowers. Far from it! Working alone means not having coworkers or peers in the industry to bounce ideas off of when I go to refill my coffee. Those serendipitous moments that shed light on solutions I hadn't yet considered disappeared. I did SO MUCH research, to set things up on my own, in those first years. I relied on knowledge in books, forums, and other online spaces. While I made it, I would've LOVED to have a group of friends, who got it, to tap into for support or a quick chat to talk through a problem - sometimes that's all you need! It was then I realized that if I wanted to find my people, I had to get out there and start something myself. I began creating, directing, and hosting events in Philadelphia and South Jersey: Dr. Sketchy's Philadelphia, South Jersey Creatives, Freelancers Union Spark events, and SELF Philly. Today, those efforts continue, virtually, with Work In Progress. Over the years, being an active part of these communities, I found I wasn't alone. 🥳 The friends I've made are meaningful friendships I still keep today. When I co-designed the WIP (Work In Progress) community with Alex Hillman in 2020, it was a scary time for us self-employed folks. The pandemic had just hit. Things were bleak. So, we created a program, resources, and an online community for people, like us, to join so we didn't have to go through building, pivoting, or staying afloat alone. Because, as both Alex and I know from experience, when you do it alone, it's not only difficult, but lonely. Just having someone who might have a sliver of insight into what you're struggling with in your business is EVERYTHING! 💡Lightbulb moments galore! At that time, our main focus was the WIP Pro 3-month intensive program. We received a ton of applications and it was a success. Four years later, while the pandemic is still ongoing, things have changed a bit. Notably, the new developments affecting those of us who are in arts-related fields. Since about 2023, both Maki and I have seen, first-hand, the damage AI has done. We've both been personally affected dramatically. And so have our communities at large. Just log onto Bluesky to see all of the mutual aid requests from those who were doing well before big tech decided to build their shiny new product on our backs without compensation or respect for everything that goes into what we do. Side-note: If you’re following along with everything unfolding there, here’s a link to some good news and step in the right direction. 🥳 All of this to say, I’ve been listening to what my peers are asking for. It's a common underlying thread of what I've always aimed to provide via the communities I've had a hand in building. Accessibility and support. As things are right now, many can't access the benefits of a community like WIP due to cost while they also fight to stay afloat. Meanwhile, they're the folks that could use the support most! So, we (my partner, Maki Naro, and I) have been rethinking some of WIP's structure. Mostly, that we need a lower cost point of entry and what that looks like. Also, that we plan to pivot slightly to focus on serving our specific industries more. That means, providing a space for artists, designers, writers, and other makers to congregate and support one another as we navigate the struggles we're all facing together, and continue to build and stabilize our businesses. As always anyone who is self-employed (or transitioning to it/part-time) and interested in what we offer is welcome to apply for membership. We'll simply be turning our focus to include the artistic community, a bit more in our outreach, where we are both heavily embedded. Our plan is to have everything completed and ready to relaunch by January 2025. So, there’s time for us to create more of what you want and need. If you’re a self-employed artist, writer, designer, or creative adjacent field and are looking for a community of like-minded people working towards similar goals and are focused on designing a life that feels good while being sustainable, we’re here for you. Please accept this invitation to sign up for WIP emails to stay in the loop – I’ll be sending more detailed updates there over the coming months. And if you have something you'd like Maki and I to consider in this revamp, please hit reply and let me know. I read every email and look forward to your thoughts. 😉 Talk soon, Want to work with me?Below, you'll find a few products I've created. Some are designed to help you as you navigate DIYing your visual brand identity. And there are some side-quest/collab products I've included as well. 😉 Of course, if you'd like to hire me to help with the strategy and design of your visual brand identity, please do not hesitate to reach out by scheduling your complimentary 30-minute consult.
More audit package options can be found here.
More pet portrait options can be found here.
More information on my family tree designs can be found here. |
Nicola Black Design Newsletter
Hi! I'm Nicola. A self-employed, small business owner (brand identity strategy & design). Here you'll find samples of what you'll get when you sign up for my emails: design strategy tips, musings on running a small business, and subscriber-exclusive offers on services & products. Subscribe below!