The Reluctant Entrepreneur

 I often get asked to tell the tale of how I became a business owner. My immediate reaction is a little laugh and the brief response "It was a reluctant journey." In truth, I never wanted to be a business owner, entrepreneur, or what have you. It was merely an act of financial survival-mode, mixed with a healthy dose of curiosity....'what if I tried this?!' 

Though at the core I am very independent minded; at the time (back in early 2010), it felt more of a reactionary decision than instinctual. It was definitely not planned. Prior to my decision to 'give it a go', I was content working for a small design-build firm that really resonated with me. In fact, I felt strongly that I had finally (in my mid 30's) found the right fit for an employer and had visions of staying on indefinitely as a loyal employee, or someday becoming a partner. However, the economy and the universe apparently had other ideas. On one hand, looking back some may say we could see the 'writing on the wall' regarding the housing market bubble crash and its immediate effect on the building industry, but at the time it felt very alien to think things would slow down. When they did slow nearly to a halt, I was consequently laid off for the first time in my life and faced with the reality of very minimal prospects for employment in my chosen career path of landscape design. 

Though it felt at the time a shock to my system and lifestyle; I'm not one to wallow in accepting forced circumstances. So I did what I could which was polish off my resume and look to my network of other design professionals of varying disciplines; in hope that they may have something (even temporary) for me to do. It was during this time a friend from an established local branding firm invited me to collaborate on new 'wayfinding signage' for our local zoo; and especially how it relates to the site and is seen in the landscape. This was appealing to me on several levels since it was a chance to collaborate with a bigger team across disciplines and a chance to practice my illustrative and visual production skills. 

The only catch was that I needed a business a license to be a subcontractor. This was a world all new to me and one I was not prepared for. I had zero background in business, nor did I understand the structures, planning, or accounting practices. Perhaps my lack of business knowledge was in some way an impetus. Afterall; being laid off... 'what did I have to loose'?  I decided to go for it and set myself up as "Studio AB", sole proprietor. 

The first five or so years we're not easy to say the least! Living as a single woman in a more  desirable Seattle neighborhood, I was forced to come to terms with reality and make some decisions and changes due to financial constraints. I was simply not earning enough to sustain my lifestyle. As I wallowed in denial, watching my savings dwindle at an alarming rate; I finally made three 'stop gap' decisions: I found a roommate to help share housing costs (luckily I had a two bedroom apartment), sold my Subaru Forester (living where I could bike commute and use car sharing services), and began working part-time at a nearby health-club (eventually becoming a personal trainer). During the last half of those critical first five years I was also fortunate enough to meet my former romantic partner at the health club I was working at. He happened to be what I call a 'true entrepreneur'. Though our business models were quite different; his influence truly helped shape my way of thinking and operating. After over five years of sacrifice my free time, savings, and 'wearing a few hats'; working as a personal trainer and working part-time for other design and design-build firms; I eventually was able to be sustained by my business full-time by 2016. Since then I've made great strides both professionally and personally, including the serendipitous discovery of 'cross pollinating' between disciplines of fitness, art, and design. I've also become much more more goal-driven, big picture oriented, and relationship focused. Its been a tough road financially and though I feel I've 'made it happen' and feel more resilient and secure than ever; I honestly am not sure that I would choose to do it again. 

Studio AB (now an LLC) has taken on a vibrant life of its own over the past decade. I have scaled it up; employing two assistant designers and continue to collaborate with other firms and disciplines on project basis. The work is consistent, gratifying, and I am proud that it can sustain me both financially and intellectually. I feel fortunate; especially looking back on the early, rougher years when I was filled with much doubt and anxiety. 

What I love most about owning and operating a small design firm is the opportunities for growth, allowing the time to tune into inspiration, and being able to 'steer my own ship'. Where it goes next is always in my sights. I can see a progression towards building a larger creative community of like-minded professionals and more collaboration on projects that resonate with my values and have a conscious, positive impact on the natural environment. Salud!