The Day Job Interferes With My Little Business

[SiouzQ.]

Welll, I've been back at work for six weeks now, slowly building up to my full-time position at Wholefoods. This work-thing has been taking a lot out of me physically, and then I am also trying to fit in gym time so as to strengthen myself and get my stamina back. How in the world did I ever fit everything in before? Part of the problem is that they have put me on the day shift so I have no time in the morning to work on my jewelry business (it's too early to be working on noisy metal fabrication due to my house mate and next-door neighbors). Then of course my dang schedule is all over the place anyway with inconsistent days off and such - I have a hard time turning on creativity when I DO have some time - it's not like there is an on-off switch! I'll get a great idea at work but by the time I get home I am too exhausted to try and work on it...

I need to figure out how to manage my time more wisely when my schedule is so jacked around and out of my control. I feel like my enthusiasm for Taliswoman@SiouxStudio is fast-waning - right now I should be in design-mode for a new spring line, I should be up-dating my photos and working on my website, I should be doing a lot more stuff to make this a viable business for the future but instead I feel like I am being sucked right back into the Wholefoods VORTEX, once again. And I really need to keep this job for the forseeable future financially and health insurance-wise. I can't start over again someplace else, I just got a raise and I will not be able to match those wages in the line of work I am in.

Oh, to somehow be independently wealthy enough to not have to work so hard...all I need is a steady, reliable income of about $1400 per month to make sure I cover my basic expenses. Everything else I make would be above and beyond so I can actually have money to do stuff and buy supplies. But I still need the insurance, dang it!

Back to reality - so for now I'm just going to have to figure it out. I keep waiting for the day I feel 100% back to normal physically, and I'm wondering when it will ever come? I am going to *try* to get to the gym early in the morning on the days I don't have to be at work until 9:00 or 10am so I don't waste those precious morning hours lolling around at home, frittering away valuable time on the computer. Then I might have a fighting chance to work on jewelry for a few hours in the evening...

[rodeosweetheart]

I hate to say it but I wish you could just get rid of the day job somehow and go with your jewelry business. There, I've said it, totally impractical.
There is a jewelry maker up here in TC with 4 stores I think, Becky Thatcher? Are you familiar with it?

Is it possible to find a job in the jewelry business until you can cover the money stuff?

I know what you mean exactly--I think your problem with building your business is that you are exhausted from the Wholefoods vortex.

[SiouzQ.]

YUP! I am...exhausted by trying to do it all.

I keep telling myself I can hang on a few more years while I build up my tools and studio. I just wish I could be able to somehow do my life in a consistent, timely manner with a clear trajectory. I wish I could say on Mon, Wed, Friday and Sunday, I could plan to do "X", and on Tues, Thurs, Sat I could then do "Y. " Then it might feel like I am actually accomplishing something. Right now my life schedule feels like a whack-a-mole game. But the most important thing right now is my physical health and well-being, because without that I can't do anything. I am really, really working on the sleep issue, and making sure I am getting enough. But with my crazy schedule, it can be hard to make myself sleep when I should be sleeping. The good news is that in the last week or so, I have really cut down on the use of sleep aids. I think I only took half a Benadryl the other night and that was it! I haven't used the Ambien in at least two weeks.

[rodeosweetheart]

That is really good news on the sleep side! Is there any way you can go to WF and beg for a set schedule of certain days? What if you talked to your doctor about the sleep issue--what if it were pitched as a health issue? Just thinking aloud here. I remember somebody at IKEA broke her foot and for three months she sat at a stool cutting fabric, because they had to accommodate her and that is all she could do, movement wise, without more pain.

[SiouzQ.]

Oh, and I should add, a condition for full-time employment a Wholefoods with benefits is open availability. That is what makes my schedule so unmanagable. At least they aren't scheduling me for all three shifts in the space of one week anymore like they used to. What I really want is to get back on the the 6am shift so I have that huge stretch of time from 2:30 until bed time in which to do my thing. I have told them this, so on Monday I am going to do a trial run of that early shift. But it all depends on how they can move other co-worker's schedules around; I'm kind of afraid that being off all summer may have screwed me out of my preferred shift...we shall see.....

[rodeosweetheart]

Didn't you place some of your jewelry up in TC stores? If not, I'd be happy to carry around samples with your cards, etc, and see if anyone wants to carry your line-- you would have to tell me what to say, etc., but I'd happily be the messenger and do the leg work.

I know we have so many outlets here, including a made in michigan store that is neat.

We can also drive to Petoskey and Charlevoix from here.

[nswef]

SiouzQ, Breathe. You are making huge progress just managing to work full time at those odd hours and getting in some Physical therapy. I would think it will take at least 6 more months until you feel close to your old self. List your ideas in a notebook and maybe do sketches. You can do it all, maybe just not right now. I don't understand why companies think switching shifts around all the time is a good thing...you'd think Whole Foods would have some culture of what is healthy for people and changing shifts is not. Good luck on getting a sensible schedule. Try not to "should" yourself into frustration. Just do what you can right now. Not what you "should" do.

[SteveinMN]

SiouzQ, Breathe. You are making huge progress just managing to work full time at those odd hours and getting in some Physical therapy. I would think it will take at least 6 more months until you feel close to your old self. [snip] Try not to "should" yourself into frustration. Just do what you can right now. Not what you "should" do.
This. I am three months past relatively minor knee surgery and I am still working my way back to where I was -- nothing as extensive as your (SQ's) injuries. It takes a (surprisingly long) while to get back to normal. And everyone's recovery is different. I can hold a pretty normal schedule, but there still are days I'm reaching for the ibuprofen and hitting the couch for a nap. Don't "should" all over yourself. Concentrate on getting back your stamina and keeping the job at WF as long as you need it.

One thing you might consider is whether any aspect of your jewelry making can be farmed out, so that you spend what time you have on the important stuff (design, marketing, etc.). It probably will cost a few dollars an hour, but it's less physically-intensive work than, say, retail ;), and it might give you the (figurative) leg up you need to get the business to where it can replace WF.

[Chicken lady]

I'm just getting back to pottery for sale instead of just teaching (I put my first pieces In a store this month after a 20 year break in sales!). I'm finding that making a point of doing something relating to the pottery every day - even if it's just reading an article, talking to the store owner, or wiping down shelves in my studio, helps kep my "working" brain turned on.

[pinkytoe]

I think it's a good sign that you are raring to go on your side business but as others have said - take it slow for now and use the down time to create more ideas for when you break the WF chain. Most corporate retail stinks no matter who you work for as far as scheduling.

[SiouzQ.]

It all seems like being a working artist is such a pipe dream right now, after a not-so-great September sales month from the galleries. Hopefully the holiday season will pick up some. To reiterate, I am not depending on this income for my basic living expenses; rather, I am using the money I make to purchase more tools and just explore things. I also will not go into debt to fund this venture. My entire point of this endeavor was to relearn a lot of techniques from my long- ago art school days, and to just allow myself to be creative and see where it takes me. Some months I am super- gung-ho about it, and at other times, I let it slide along (like right now). Luckily I have a lot of stock built up for the holidays but I will have to soon start production to fill the galleries with new items starting in March/April.

I can be kind of an all or nothing personality at times! I am trying to allow myself to not worry about sales or making items I *think* will sell, because that ends up stifling my creativity. I wish none of it had to do with commerce at all, but it is nice when people like my vision enough to buy it! I like to work when the muse strikes, and I never know when that will be...

[rosarugosa]

SiouzQ: I wish you well in finding the right balance that allows you to pursue your side business. I've been to a lot of craft shows and I've seen a lot of hand-crafted jewelry, much of it bad. I think you have a special talent and your work is uniquely beautiful. Don't give up!

[SiouzQ.]

Thanks, Rosarugosa, I'm not going to give up, but like clockwork, whenever I have to think about designing a new "line", I feel like I flounder around trying this and that and never feel like I am getting anywhere. Most of the things I am creating now are far too complex and time-consuming for quantity production work, and that is where I start wondering about my business model. Trying to be a human factory is not my intention at this point while I am working full-time and don't have to means or tools to increase production. I can't afford to hire out the grunt work (someone in the business warned me that throwing human capitol as a way to increase production was not the way to go). Financially, it would not be sound. And I can't want to spend money on a hydralic press in order to make metal blanks when I don't have a real studio to set up in.

I think my next move is to set up a small soldering station - I find I am getting frustrated by not being able to heat metal enough to anneal (bend) it, and I need other ways to attach parts other than using cold connections. This will open up a lot of doors for me design-wise! So last week I rearranged my space and bought another table (using part of a gift card my house mate gave me for my birthday) and moved an old wooden desk that will be used for the station. Now all I need to do is spend about $130 or so on the soldering equipment - pans, fire bricks, small tank, pickle solution, etc.

But then part of me starts thinking, to what end am I doing this for?????? Then I remember I don't want to be working at WF forever and all I need to do is a small, steady progression towards my future retirement to learn the business of being a working artist, work on my designs and polish my techniques and skills. I would also like to take some classes on technique here and there. Then I start feeling okay about it, that I don't need to race to get there. I can't just up and quit my job anytime soon but if I do this endeavor in manageable chunks and not go into debt over it, I will eventually be at the point of being able to support myself with Social Security, my IRA's, an annuity, a 401K and all the other myriad ways I have to earn extra cash. I'll probably keep working at some part-time job for a long time, but something fun like a bead or music store like I used to!

[ctg492]

You have a plan it does sound like. I admire your goals. Do sell at the Markets in Ann Arbor? Kerrytown?

[SteveinMN]

SQ, two thoughts.

First, a friend of mine is a fine-art painter. It does not pay all her bills; she and her partner also run an antiques store which provides all of his income and a chunk of hers. In her studio, she has a wall hanging that lists "The Rules of Art". Rule #9 is "Art is a job." I know it is very difficult to be creative at the snap of one's fingers. But there is all the stuff that goes on behind the scenes as you well know. Making time for that is a necessary part of making any artistic endeavor (unless you have your own patron!). You may have a lot going on right now, but maybe, in the time you have, a short change in perspective to 10,000 feet instead of 2,000 feet would serve you well.

Second, Edison once said of inventing the light bulb, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Don't consider what hasn't worked out to be failure. It has been part of a learning process. You are learning about the scalability of one person doing complicated work. You are learning how far you can take metalwork without a solder station or a press. Perhaps those discoveries can serve as a guide to finding the creations and techniques that maximize your time and tools.

[SiouzQ.]

Thanks, Steve, for your insight. I think I found out this past summer when I was off that I have a difficult time doing art as my main *job*; I'm not sure I have enough discipline or temerity to work through the inevitable lean times. I think I'd rather have a safety net of a job for now to take care of basic living expenses, and then do art on the side for enjoyment and extra income while I slowly learn about the business end. Everyone of my friends who are not artists think it is an easy life...oh, you just get to go and play in the studio all day long ( HA! Only if you are independently wealthy and have connections)!

[SiouzQ.]

Today I am having one of two trunk sales this holiday season for my jewelry ~ I need to sell through the older items that have accumulated over the three years I've been doing this. To be honest, I have hardly worked on my business for the past two months since I've been back full-time at Wholefoods, and it has been a nice respite. The last thing I want is to get stressed out about my hobby business! I got everything organized for the trunk shows weeks ago, so in the meantime I have been playing my guitar more, and started two new sculptures, none of which I've monitored my time or costs on. Just creating for the sheer joy of it!

We'll see what happens when the dust settles after the holidaze ~ right now I think I am inclined on pulling back a little on the business model of volume and quantity and perhaps moving toward one-of-a-kind art pieces in fewer venues, more expensive materials (sterling and finer stones). I have some tool purchasing to do with some of the profits I've made, at any rate!

[Chicken lady]

Good luck with your show!

I earmarked half the profit from mine for new equipment and supplies.

[SiouzQ.]

Well, it looks liked I grossed $367 today; it started out pretty slow so I was getting a little worried but things rallied a bit in the afternoon. So the gallery gets 40% of the sales, which means I walk away with $220, which is more than double of what I would make in a day at Wholefoods. Not too bad for sitting around and schmoozing for about 5.5 hours, but I couldn't pay all my bills with that kind of lifestyle...it's nice for a side business though!

[kally]

is that your jewelry on Fbook? Sort of industrial meets nature? If so, that is really cool looking stuff.

[Chicken lady]

SiouzQ,

That's great! If you enjoy the shows, it's better to have a "hobby" that brings in a little money than one that drains it out, right?

I got another check from the store that carries my pottery. It's "only" $65 (doesn't feel only to me) but from now to at least the end of the year, everything is profit. And she sold another small piece after the check was cut, so I have at least $9 coming in January.

We did get the power bill on the workshop barn and it was about $40 higher than usual. Which means (if none of that is related to dh using power saws to build a wall in the basement) that it costs about $5 every time I fire the kiln. I should take that out of profit, but dh says he'll spot me because firing the kiln keeps me tied at home for 5 hours usually doing things like cleaning and baking.