I have experienced an incredible development in my creative journey.
From an early age, I watched my grandmother create church bulletins and funeral programs from scratch. She meticulously cut out and crafted clip art to design detailed layouts adorned with glitter, ribbons, and three-dimensional cover designs. Later, when my mother bought WebTV, I was introduced to web design and HTML coding. Watching her code web designs on a TV screen was fascinating. While I was a trained visual artist, I developed a keen interest in computer design, desktop publishing, and web design. In 2003 and 2004, I created my own website, *The Dawl’s House*, on the Angelfire platform and even built a family site to celebrate different generations. However, after my mother passed away, my focus shifted. I prioritized earning income over my creative pursuits. Although I held a teaching degree and taught at various schools, I struggled to find an income source that matched my mother’s contributions.
I tried portrait commissions, but these efforts were disappointing due to limited client knowledge and funding. I once created a painting that looked exactly like the subjects, but the client, without prior communication, expected embellishments. My lack of entrepreneurial experience at that time was frustrating. Ironically, that painting might be worth thousands today for its originality.
Feeling disheartened, I took a job in an office for two years—a far cry from my creative roots. Fortunately, my mother and grandmother had both worked in office settings; my grandmother was an executive secretary at Western Union for many years. This background provided some comfort. Even in the office, I often discussed business ideas with colleagues and supervisors. It was the early days of social media, and I was captivated by its potential for art and personal projects. When I was eventually let go from that job, I took it as an opportunity to focus on building my own business and learning entrepreneurship without a mentor to guide me.
I faced immense challenges, including periods when I didn’t know where my next paycheck would come from. Convincing potential clients of my worth online or over the phone was daunting. The self-doubt was real, and I often felt like giving up. Family members accused me of being lazy or running scams, dismissing my work as “just sitting on the computer.” But every time I was on the verge of quitting, a client would come through, paying well for a project and affirming my abilities.
Determined to build on my knowledge, I enrolled in an accelerated Master of Science program in Digital Marketing. My background in visual arts, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, proved beneficial. I graduated within a year and applied everything I learned. My self-taught expertise in web and graphic design, coupled with new skills in video editing, began to pay off. I created promotional materials for celebrities in Georgia and eventually expanded my work across the country. Despite continued mistakes and financial losses due to difficult clients, I persevered. There were countless nights I stayed up late or worked through the night to make ends meet. The pressure was immense, especially from those who misunderstood my lifestyle.
I sometimes undercharged just to prove my worth or secure work. I encountered people who tried to devalue my skills to get a cheaper rate. One instance that stood out was with a church in Ambler; they were more focused on my appearance than my qualifications. Though disappointed, I soon secured another client who valued my expertise and paid double for less work.
This experience boosted my confidence and helped me understand my worth. High-paying clients began seeking me out, and my work earned recognition. I reached a point where I was treated with the respect my craft deserved. Despite this, rumors circulated—claims that I was living off lawsuit money or had stolen from a church. I found these accusations laughable and never dignified them with responses, save for once when asked directly.
Entrepreneurship is hard work and not for the faint-hearted. People will doubt you and question your worth. I failed many times, but I learned from each mistake and continued growing. My designs have reached national and international audiences, and seeing my work displayed publicly brings immense joy. Faith, resilience, and a willingness to fail have been essential.
I’ve sacrificed much and at times accepted being overlooked or unappreciated. I’ve learned that while I may lower my rates to support an organization’s success, I must also recognize when I’m being taken advantage of. Now, I understand that if one client won’t pay what I’m worth, another will. Maintaining integrity, ensuring tight contracts, and trusting my instincts have been crucial lessons. Learning to “fire” a client has become one of my most valuable skills.
Indicators of Clients to Avoid:
– Those who question your prices without doing research.
– Clients who nitpick to negotiate your rate down.
– Clients who threaten to take their business elsewhere but don’t follow through.
– Clients who delay final payments or attempt to extract more work than agreed.
To address these issues, I now charge in three stages: an upfront payment, a progress payment, and a final payment. Clear contracts and detailed service documentation are essential, especially if a client disputes charges. One client once disputed payment despite displaying the completed work on social media. I won the dispute because I had solid evidence of services rendered.
Transparency and staying current with industry trends are key to remaining relevant. Finally, ignoring external noise, especially from unsupportive friends and family, is essential. Most support may come from outside your immediate circle.
Even now, with published books, artwork, and innovative ideas, people attribute my success to “AI.”
Ignore the noise, work hard, and you will reap the rewards.
