Lisa Jackson Design: Blog: Running a Graphic Design Business with Children at My Feet

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

I need to de-junk my house. We are probably going to move the books from the childrens' bookshelf up in their room to a large bookshelf we have downstairs. We are book people and have a lot of books.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Wow! A lot of time has passed. I got very busy with design work in February, March, and part of April. However, the last 5 1/2 months have been dry. I have had free estimate meetings and phone calls, but no official business. I am sure it is the economy. I think business owners are refraining from spending to save themselves money and prevent incurring debt.

My business is hurting, so I am not planning to join the Graphic Artist's Guild ($250), The Ogden Weber Chamber of Commerce ($375), or to advertise in the phone book this year ($520). I am currently in the phone book, in the Graphic Artist's Guild, and in the Ogden/ Weber Chamber of Commerce. This year I plan to do direct mail and Google Adwords only. Google Adwords is something I can use to target locals and I can control how much I spend each month. It is cheap (I spend about a dollar a month on it now) and affordable. Direct Mail is more effective in this area, and I can control how much I spend and when I spend it. I can wait until I make money before I spend it.

My potential clients can be reached more easily by mail than by the internet, because most small business/ small company owners in this area are over 45, and prefer not to use the computer much. My potential small business owner clients are not franchise owners or owners of Pampered Chef or Mary Kay businesses. Those business owners haven't the need for logos, package design, catalog design, web site design, etcetera. My potential small business owner clients own their own company and need a logo, brochure, web site, etcetera.

What is up in my family? Our biggest worry now is my son's potty-training. I am expecting a baby and we are preparing for that in November. I have 2 at home and one in school now. We just finished bottling peaches and pears. My brother, Randy and his wife, Megan, just had a baby boy today. My sister, Jeanette and her husband, Chris, get the opportunity to adopt a son (in December).

Monday, February 11, 2008

I am almost finished with the illustration job. It is a lot of work. I am going to be doing a web site design for an artist in the Palette Club.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

I finished a small job (a web site header with a sea monster listening to a book on cassette) and I am still working on the book illustrations. I think I will be done by Monday, but would like to be almost done by midnight tonight. Weekends and late night are the times when I get the most done for clients. Usually during nap time in the middle of the day, I work on things that only take 10 minutes of concentration here and there (such as my own web site, marketing pieces for myself, and bookkeeping). I also finished and ordered printed a new marketing piece to mail to Ogden area business owners who need web sites. It is so cool! I am excited!

Friday, January 18, 2008

I have a new client again. I am working on book illustrations, and not getting any percentages. I am doing this because I need the portfolio pieces, I need work, I like the client, and I have time.

I have an appointment with a potential client on Monday. He thinks it is a small, simple job. I am not sure, so I want to meet with him and get clear on what it's all about.

Frankly, I was worried in December, a little, that I would never get new business again. One whole month without calls is a long time. I didn't get any calls from potential or recent clients to do work. I kept working, though. I caught up on bookkeeping quite a bit.

I was actually relieved to have a breather from the end of November and into mid-January. I worked on my web site, on bookkeeping, and on cleaning and organizing my house. I also spent lots of time reading about 20 books I got from the library. I kept good care of my family, spent more time with my kids, and prepared better meals. I enjoyed the holiday season stress-free! We progressed quite a bit with the potty-training of my 3 year old son, as well.

Do you want to know if running your own graphic design business from home is a good idea for a stay-home mom? Only you can see for yourself, but for me, it is not worth what I have lost. I have lost thousands of dollars. I have lost much time I could have spent teaching my children and playing with them. I have lost much happiness. It has not been worth it. I am trying to recover my lost money by working, but I am limiting time spent on business duties, in order to do a better job being a mom, wife, and housekeeper. It will take longer to recover my lost money than it would if I worked more on my business, but I am happier when I put myself and my family first..

How do I limit the time I spend on my business and please my clients? For one, I don't get a lot of clients. I am pleased with two in a month. I do not accept big jobs. When clients ask me for a logo, a brochure and a web site, I make sure we only sign a contract for, and they only pay for, the logo. I only do one job at a time and don't take a second project or client on until my work with the first is almost completed, and I feel pretty confident I can handle both and still keep care of my family. I don't work hard to get new clients. I have already paid plenty for phone book ads. This saves my time (but it cost me a lot of money) so that I can spend more time with my family.

To those of you who want to start your own business: Don't suspect that because you have experience as a graphic designer, that you have what it takes. You don't have what it takes to run your own business until you have experience doing it. In reality, and ironically, you have to take the leap in order to get that experience. The stuff that's tough is the stuff that has nothing to do with graphic design. You'll give a lot of money out before you get any back, and when you get it back, it will trickle. You'll begin to see after a year where you should have and should not have spent. Hopefully, you'll be as wise as I have become over time and be unafraid to ask for 100% of the estimate in advance. You'll also refuse to do "trade work." If you feel like giving work away to get portfolio pieces, just stick to family and non-profits. The others make more money than you do (in that they earn money instead of losing it), so make them help you out. You deserve to be paid.

Monday, November 26, 2008

Friday morning I got up at 5 and fixed up Taco Taco's menu edits. I put it on C.D. and printed out a copy of the changes. I also sent a receipt of payment out to another client.

We went to the Ogden Main branch library Friday. I got lots of marketing books. I have been avidly reading them.

I am learning about how to maximize my web site for the search engine "Google."When I did a search for "ogden graphic designer" on Saturday, my company showed up at the very top, with a link directly to my site. This is all without my paying for the clicks!

I have been learning more about how to make better web sites and flash movies. I am trying to improve the fine-art section of my web site, with my linocut prints. For now, it is worse than it was before, but it will be better than ever when it is done. I am adding video clips about making the original block prints, because most visitors are other linocutters looking for tips. It will be so cool!

Thanksgiving day 2007

Today is Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving! I have been learning more about Adobe's Creative Suite 3 Professional Flash and Dreamweaver. These are the best modern tools for the best web sites, web advertising and web videos.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007 3:47 p.m.

Two of my kids have had the flu this week. I now have the flu. I always think about getting a flu shot. I just never get around to it. Anyway, I voted earlier today when I was feeling well. Here is my "I voted" sticker as proof. I am working on a brochure, a business card and a post card design today. I worked on a logo today, too. I like what I came up with.

Friday, November 2, 2007 1:20 p.m.

Dear Utahns:

I am very very for public education and very very against paying tax money for people to send their kids to a private school that taxpayers have no control over.

Public school educates everyone, and doesn't discriminate. Public schools are not picky and choosy. That kid who could be an idle and unemployed citizen 10 years from now without an education perhaps will be an employed high school graduate in 10 years because of public schools which have teachers who care about them, even if they have no money to pay and behavior problems right now.

What I am saying is, this is not just a decision for parents and grandparents, but for all citizens who wish to have safe communities. Our communities will be safer with more money put into public education. Please care about the safety of every community.

Money will not be taken from the public schools due to kids going to private schools in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 or 2011, but in 2012, the number of kids who received vouchers in 2007 will cut the amount of money put into public education. If you don't believe me, READ THE ACTUAL BILL here:

Education Vouchers Bill, Utah, 2007

instead of just the ads and arguments.

Homeschool will not benefit in any way from the voucher bill.

The poorest of poor will only get $3,000/yr. for tuition in private schools while the cheapest of the tuitions for private school is $6,000. This is what I mean by the poorest of poor. The poorest of poor are people on food stamps who qualify for free school lunch and only use hand-me-downs because they can't afford to buy clothes, even from Savers or the Deseret Industries. These people cannot pay their own $3,000/yr. for private school tuition. They will not benefit from vouchers (tuition assistance at private schools) at all.

The richest of rich (like Governor Huntsman) will get only $500/yr. for private school tuition, and the schools they send their kids to are costing $25,000 to $35,000 per year for tuition.

Middle income people would send a kid to a private school costing between $6,000 and $25,000 per year and would get between $500 and $2,750 per year of tuition assistance. These are they who earn enough money to buy their own food and clothing, but have to do everything they can just to get their house payment and car payment made. Can they afford to pay $3,250 to $24,500 per year for private school? Not really. There are those who do, but they are only pushing themselves further into debt.

This bill is much harm. Do not be fooled. Read the actual bill here:

Education Vouchers Bill, Utah, 2007

Here are some important sections of the bill:

251 (4) Full-year scholarships shall be awarded in the amounts shown in the following 252 table, or for the amount of tuition for a full year, whichever is less. 253 If the annual income of a scholarship 254 student's parents is: The full-year scholarship amount is: 255 Less than or equal to 100% of the 256 income eligibility guideline $3,000 257 Greater than 100% but less than or equal 258 to 125% of the income eligibility guideline $2,750 259 Greater than 125% but less than or equal to 260 150% of the income eligibility guideline $2,500 261 Greater than 150% but less than or equal to 262 175% of the income eligibility guideline $2,250 263 Greater than 175% but less than or equal to 264 200% of the income eligibility guideline $2,000 265 Greater than 200% but less than or equal to 266 225% of the income eligibility guideline $1,750 267 Greater than 225% but less than or equal to 268 250% of the income eligibility guideline $1,000 269 Greater than 250% of the income eligibility guideline $500 270 (5) The full-year scholarship amounts shown in the table in Subsection (4) apply to 271 scholarships for all grades except kindergarten. The full-year scholarship amount for 272 kindergarten shall be .55 times the amounts shown in the table in Subsection (4). 273 (6) The board shall annually increase the full-year scholarship amounts shown in the 274 table in Subsection (4) by the same percentage annual increase in the value of the weighted 275 pupil unit established in Section 53A-17a-103.

Also, note line 308 below. The public schools will continue to receive money "for five years or until the student (who was sent to private school) would have graduated from high school. They are lying when they say that money will not be taken from the public schools. It will hurt the public school system over time.

298 53A-1a-807. Mitigation monies:

299 (1) As provided in this section, a school district shall receive monies to mitigate 300 potential impacts due to the unplanned reduction in revenues resulting from the transfer of 301 scholarship students from the district to a private school.

302 (2) A school district shall retain in enrollment for purposes of receiving funds under 303 the minimum school program each scholarship student that: 304 (a) transfers from the school district to a private school; and 305 (b) resides within the boundaries of the school district. 306 (3) Each transferred scholarship student meeting the criteria of Subsection (2) shall be 307 retained in enrollment:

308 (a) for five years following the transfer or until the student would have graduated from 309 high school if within five years of the date or transfer;

or 310 (b) until the student transfers back to the school district, if the student transfers back to 311 the school district within five years. 312 (4) For each year a school district retains in enrollment transferred scholarship students 313 as provided in this section, the board shall deduct from minimum school program funds 314 distributed to the school district an amount equal to the number of transferred scholarship 315 students retained in enrollment times the average scholarship amount for scholarship students 316 statewide. Sincerely, Lisa C. Jackson

Saturday, October 20th, 2007 11:38 p.m.

My husband and I went on a date tonight, and I produced 10 one inch logo idea sketches for my newest client while he was driving, in the car. I put them on the back of bank deposit slips.

I just had the client I was designing a logo for opt out of the project and pay a cancellation fee. That is very sad. She said that I just didn't have the vision they were looking for and she would like me to work more hours in each week for her. (I do 5 hours per week per client at $40/hr. or 10 hours a week per client at $60/hr. I do not work more than 10 hours in a week, so at 5 hours a week I can do 2 clients, and at 10 hours a week for one client, I can only do 1 client. This is because my full time job is mothering, not my graphic design business.)

I just signed a contract with a new client who needs a logo, brochure, business card, post card and web site. We only signed a contract for the logo so far, because I only like doing one thing at a time, and the logo needs to be first. It is the most important. I signed a contract with a freelancer to do some logo sketches. I will do some, too. Two heads are better than one. She will come up with ideas I would not. I really hope my client will love something one of us produces as an idea. I am happy to have this freelancer on my side! Knowing I have her help is so nice and such a stress reliever! This was a first. I have never before paid for the services of a freelancer. My husband is worried it will not turn out well. I think she will do well!

I just answered these questions for Women in Business of the Ogden/ Weber Chamber of Commerce. I thought it might interest my web site visitors.

Q: Tell me something about the business you are in. What is its mission?

A: I am a Visual Communications Specialist. I help Ogden area company owners to better communicate visually with their desired audiences.

Q: (Self Employed) What inspired you to start this particular business?

A: When I was in Junior High, after lunch, my friends and I were talking about careers. I said that it was too bad that, my favorite and best subject being art, I would not be able to go into a career where I could actually earn a salary, in the art field. My friend told me that I could, because her neighbor was a commercial artist and worked from home. That is what inspired me to start this business. I just wasn't prepared for it at that time.

Q: What do you enjoy doing after hours?

A: After hours, I enjoy running my own graphic design business. My full time job is keeping care of my kids. My part time job is doing housework and cooking. I have a 5 year old girl, a 3 year old boy, and a 9 month old daughter. I enjoy watching movies with my husband, reading to my kids and babbling happily with my baby. I enjoy being a part of the Palette Club of Ogden. We are a club of artists who encourage each other at fine art. My specialty is creating linocut original prints, which I do by carving a picture into a slab of linoleum glued onto wood, mixing ink, inking the plate, and printing it onto special printmaking paper. I love helping my land to produce vegetables and fruit.

Q: What would someone be surprised to know about you?

A: Before joining the High School swim team in 10th grade, I was extremely shy. My husband still laughs at this because he doesn't believe it, but anyone who knew me in my youth will confirm it.

Tuesday, October 16th, 2007 4:13 p.m.

I cannot seem to find a good freelancer. All of the good ones are just like me. They charge the same or more. Maybe a maid would be a better idea. That way, I would know the graphic design jobs would be done right, and I could still have a clean house. I could do graphic design instead of doing the dishes. I like doing graphic design but don't like doing the dishes. My husband and I clean the house regularly, but what would it hurt if someone else took over once a week for a couple of hours? That way, I could please all of my clients and have their work done in good time. I would be able to keep up just fine and not turn anybody down.

Tuesday, October 16th, 2007 11:29 a.m.

I am beginning to wonder what to do. I am going to need to tell people that I can do their job, but not until a certain date. "I can begin work on your job on October 29th," for example. I just have not been able to find a freelancer that would do a good job.

Monday, October 15th, 2007 11:17 p.m.

Today I met a new potential client about a logo for a heating and air conditioning company. I am excited about that. I have been working tonight on the other logo design for an electrician company. I got a good 2 dimensional black white grey that will work well in color, too. The rest of this week, I will make it 3-D. I think she will like it. I like it!

Saturday, October 13th, 2007 1:03 p.m.

My meeting with my client on Friday went well. I know exactly what to work on. I showed her some more completed logo ideas, but none were her thing. However a few of the elements from some of them were pleasing to her. I drew up some new sketches while she was there and talked with her about them. We decided together what would be good for her and also a good design. (The meeting I had set up for Tuesday didn't happen. She didn't come and didn't call. I sent her a postcard about rescheduling.) I have a meeting with my client again this coming week. I also have a meeting with a potential new client this week.

Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 11:44 p.m.

Yesterday I created a new business card design and sent it in to VistaPrint.com. I am so excited! The back side has places for people to write and fill in the blanks. It is a mini small business quiz for people like me who run their own businesses. I have been working on a logo for a construction company in Layton. I am so excited. This morning, even though my alarm would not be going off until 7, I got up at 4:40 a.m. and worked on sketches of ideas flying into my head until 6:15 a.m. Whew! What a rush! I set up some new Google Ads this afternoon while my daughter was napping. I had a meeting with a potential client today and have one again tomorrow. I am looking forward to meeting with her! She owns a local restaurant. I met her at the new member's lunch of the Ogden/Weber Chamber of Commerce.

I visited my Alma Mater (Weber State University) by going to their new art building. I still consider it to be new, since I graduated without it. Do you know what I think of it? SPOILED! Those kids haven't a clue how posh that place is for them! However, I do think it is less personable and cozy. The small building I attended had a lack of space, so we were all closer knit. The classrooms are so far apart now. I just can't see that the students would ever see much of any students studying other types of art. I waited until it seemed he was less busy and went to say hi to Mark Biddle, my former Design teacher. He was awesome. Unfortunately, from the look on his face, I could see he did not remember me at all. 8 years is a long time when you get many new students coming and going every year. He also was very busy, as he was in the middle of a critique (at 7 p.m.). I remember those late classes. Of course, he never taught night classes when I was there. When I attended, I think he went home at 5:45 some days, and at 2:15 on the others.

Busy me: After that, I went to the Palette Club of Ogden's meeting, where a woman (forgive me, I did not catch her name) was doing a demonstration of the painting of Henna tattoos. She is very knowledgeable and talented! I really only attend to see my friends, though. I was happy to see them!

Then I came home and put my 3 kids to bed. My sister in law had been watching them so I could get out on the town for a bit. Amazing how much a person can do in 2 hours, isn't it? What a sweety she is to help me!

Wed., October 3, 2007 10:39 p.m.

I went to the Top of Utah Business Expo. tonight. It was great. I met some very nice people.

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007 1:47 p.m.

Saturday night, September 29th, I had a visitor over who convinced me to join the Ogden/ Weber Chamber of Commerce, which I have been considering for a year. I went to the new member lunch yesterday (Monday, October 1st). It was awesome! 4 different people want me to design things for them. I am so excited to work with locals and improve the LOOKS of LOCAL BUSINESSES and get them on the web (because having a web address is everything now!). Wow! What an opportunity! Ogden is going to become a visual communications and web savvy mecca when I am through with it!