How people left stable jobs and began to engage in creativity. 3 real stories

“You can’t earn money with creativity”, “an artist is always hungry” - you probably heard similar statements from your friends. But we want to argue with them and for this we invited three girls who were not afraid to leave work and do what they love. Their lives have changed dramatically, and they do not regret a single step that they took this step.

“If you don’t take risks now, then after 40 it will be very difficult to do it”

— I worked as a mechanic in a construction company. Then I had a dream to travel in a motorhome, and in 2020 we bought it. I quit my job, my husband finished his business. We sold everything and left travel around Russia. During the trip, I got the idea to make carpets.

— How did the idea come about?

I have always been interested in doing manual work. I once saw a video of an Asian girl on TikTok showing her making a rug. I thought, “That's cool. Need to try".

— How did you decide to create carpets on a permanent basis?

- When you are over 35, you are looking for stability: to have an apartment, children, husband. But then at some point you understand: if you don’t take a chance now, then after 40 it will be very difficult to do, and after 50 even more difficult. If you want to try something new, you need to act now.

For some reason, I had no doubts about making rugs. Yes, once I thought: “What if all this does not pay off? I have bought so many things, but no one will order anything from me. ” This thought bothered me for 10 minutes, and then I said to myself: “I like it, so others will like it.” And began to do.

- How it all began?

— It was difficult to find equipment and materials. There was nothing on the Russian market at that time. Even a tufting gun - a device for creating carpets - I bought with difficulty.

At first, the products turned out to be bad: they deteriorated, torn. A lot of things had to be redone. Buy a lot of materials: either the glue is bad, or the yarn is not good, or the frame does not fit. For three months I just experimented, learned by experience.

At that time, I already had a blog, but I was in no hurry to post the first results in it. Suddenly someone would place an order, but I still have nothing ready? Initially, I wanted to just get a carpet that did not ashamed would be up for sale.

The first month I sold products cheaply - just to cover their cost and fill my hand. For example, a standard rug measuring 100 × 70 cm, which can be placed near the sofa, cost 4,500 rubles. This is very little. If I received 1,000 rubles of net profit from one product, it was “wow”.

— How do you work on orders?

- I work in a workshop - in a garage built into the house. My husband helped me to make repairs there. Together we converted the premises to my needs.

The speed of creating carpets has increased for me. If earlier it could take me a week to do one, now I do it in 1-2 days.

The work itself is built like this: the customer writes what kind of carpet he wants and for what purpose. If we are talking about constant use, then the yarn should be more rigid. If he wants to get a decorative option - hang on the wall or put on the table - you can choose a softer material.

Some send ready-made frames from cartoonswho want to see on the carpet, for others I draw sketches myself. This is a very creative profession. Everyone orders carpets with different illustrations. There were five identical pieces all the time. There is room for experimentation here.

In addition, with the help of a tufting gun, you can make not only carpets, but also ottomans, bags, panama hats. I haven't been able to get to that yet.

How is the business developing now?

— Now I not only make carpets, but also sell yarn, materials, equipment, and give master classes in tufting.

Orders come through the blog. I don’t advertise on other sites, I don’t launch a target. Nevertheless, I usually have everything scheduled for a month ahead. The whole family lives on my earnings from carpets - about 250,000-300,000 rubles a month.

My husband helps me with the repair of the premises or equipment. And I do everything else myself.

What are your plans for the development of your business in the future?

- I know what I need delegate part of the tasks. But so far I don't have a clear vision of what kind of person could take them on. Also think I need to expand. There is an idea to open an online store, start traveling to some exhibitions. But for now, it's only in the plans.

— What advice would you give to those who want to make money with creativity?

1. Do not be afraid. You need to burn with your work - and everything will work out. I know a girl who makes cheesecakes with different flavors: with bacon, cheese, fish. Freezes them and sells them. There is a whole line behind them! Orders arrive from all over Russia.

Can you imagine what a person risked? Started making cheesecakes! She loves them. And there are many such examples. So it doesn't matter what you do. Most importantly, are you passionate about what you do?

2. You do not need to expect that you will immediately start earning a lot. A creative profession should be pursued for one purpose - because you want it. Sooner or later you will succeed monetize your business. But don't expect to be able to buy yourself a convertible a week after you start making carpets.

3. You have to learn to show yourself. People like a sincere approach. If they see that you are doing something with a soul, it will attract. Then even in the worst case scenario, you can count on them to order work from you.

Social networks allow you to engage in free promotion. When you learn how to talk about yourself there, you can go to other, paid sites.

“You could only rely on yourself”

— When I graduated from university, I found a starting position for graduates on Google. I worked in Poland, in a small office for 300 people. Contacted with clients of medium and small businesses.

At some point it became hard for me work for hire. The illustration came into my life like a magic wand and showed that I want to do my own thing.

— How did the idea come about?

- We corresponded with a friend, and I told him that I want to draw something. He looked at it with his entrepreneurial streak and said, "Let's do business."

How did you decide to become an illustration full-time?

“At first it was very scary. I made the decision to quit my job quickly, but it took a long time to leave. I prepared for six months before signing the application. The moment it finally happened, I cried.

I remember calling my mother in tears. She too entrepreneurso she supported me. She said that corporations in a sense "use" their employees. You are just a cog in them. And I always wanted to do something that would bring me joy and directly affect people's lives.

At first we planned to develop my project together with a friend, but then our paths diverged. I continued on my own to illustrate and promote myself as influencer.

It was psychologically difficult. You could only rely on yourself. At that moment, thoughts arose: “Maybe I should still stay? Move to another department? To another company? Of course, the desire to become an entrepreneur, to do your own thing, to completely change the atmosphere and environment won.

- How it all began?

— The first step was logical — to learn how to draw. Before that, I had never done it. At first, the illustrations were inept and awkward. But my family supported me.

Being left without support when you start a new chapter in your life is very scary.

In parallel, I was engaged in my promotion and search for clients. I was like a blind kitten who tries everything that comes to his mind. For example, she sent letters to all Google offices to get first support and subscribers.

I wrote to various companies. With someone I agreed on paid cooperation, with someone - on barter. At that moment, I was still working at Google, I had a salary, and I agreed to barter in order to gain a portfolio. It's great that even then I was able to work with well-known brands, which further improved my image in the eyes of other customers.

— How did you work on orders?

- Later, I got a promotion team: PR manager, assistant, marketer. But I have always painted by myself. I tried to make several orders a month for a good amount, and then deal with strategic tasks. And also, of course, to relax, to promote yourself - to go out in the media, to participate in podcasts and interview.

For the last two years, for example, it turned out like this: I do five projects a month, then I don’t do illustrations for clients for 2–3 months. Then again: 3-4 orders per month, 2-3 months - only strategic tasks.

At the same time, I had confidence that I was in control of this process. There was no such thing that I made 2-3 orders and did not understand when new ones would appear. I built a business and already had the tools to attract them.

How is the business developing now?

— I have been illustrating for seven years, but recently decided to leave this field and start musical career. The times were not easy. Everyone reacted differently to the events of the last year. I saved myself by meditation. During one of them, it came to me: "You need to become a singer in Milan, write songs in Italian."

I did not have a single question, although at that time I did not have enough skills to record songs and perform them in public. But before that, I said jokingly several times: “If I didn’t have to earn money, I would become a singer and write songs in Italian.”

During meditation, I managed to realize this and believe in myself. Three months later I recorded the first song, a month later - the second. Everything went and went. They will be publicly available soon.

Now I only make money from my blog and courses that I run as an influencer. When the tracks appear on all platforms, the first money will go from streaming my music.

— What are your development plans for the future?

- Of course, one could say: "Collect the stadium", but the immediate goal is to release a song. I would like to sign a contract with a label, but a self-release is also ok.

I already have a list of people who will support the release of my single. The total number of their subscribers is 2.5 million people, some of which are Italian guys, famous influencers. Everything on the ointment! (Laughs.) I will also develop my social networks, attracting the Italian audience.

— What advice would you give to those who want to make money with creativity?

1. Believe in yourself. Today I received a question in direct: “Is it possible to work illustratorwithout having an art school behind them? People often look for confirmation from the outside: if someone has gone a certain way, then they will succeed too. You need to believe in yourself.

When I left, of course, I was scared. But I wanted to change my life and did not look back at anyone.

2. Find like-minded people. Don't be surrounded by those who say you can't do something. People who believe that I will become a famous artist give me the energy to work.

3. Don't compare yourself to others. Six months after layoffs from Google I reached a stable income of 60,000–80,000 rubles a month. It was a big holiday. When I began to earn 150,000 rubles, it seemed to me that I was doing well. When I managed to achieve the first projects that cost 300,000–500,000 rubles, I said to myself: “Now I’m just smart! Things will get better soon."

And so it happened. In the last years of his activity, he managed to take on projects that cost a million. I only looked back at my past self, and I think it’s right to compare myself only with myself. This allows you to move forward.

4. Don't expect to make money right away. People allow this thought: “I put off my dream for 30 years. Then I decided that I would do it. Dream, feed me!" If you have not done anything for 30 years, then you should not have claims to a new profession. She doesn't have to provide for you from day one.

"Go home and do what you love"

— At first I worked as a bank manager. Then me reduced, and I got a job as a sales representative in a cosmetics company. I liked both there and there: a good team, a salary. However, I soon went on maternity leave, and I was faced with a choice: to return to the office or not? There were many difficulties. I was left alone with the child. But I still chose my favorite business, and not a stable job.

— How did the idea come about?

— Even before the decree, I had a hobby. I drew mehendi. When summer came, many people asked me to make them drawings on the body. They were even willing to pay for it.

I thought I wanted to get more skills. I got into a free marathon and started learning. At first I combined it with work. Then in the decree there was more time that I could spend on my favorite pastime.

So I took a course on dot painting and semantic decor mandalas. All knowledge merged into one. I painted several passport covers with acrylic paints, and my friends immediately bought them.

— How did you decide to paint on a permanent basis?

- When I took the course, my daughter was 2.5 years old. I understood: either go to work, or do what I like. Yes, doing your own thing is not easy. You need to promote yourself, photograph the work correctly, write posts, go to exhibitions. But I wanted to try.

In addition, at that moment I went to a course on identifying potentials, where I discovered that my strengths were the creation of beauty and the transfer of knowledge. This instilled confidence.

- How it all began?

— I started accounts in social networks, posted my work there. I began to draw even more often, order more materials. The thing went.

Those close to me supported me: told to their friends, shared my posts on their pages. Of course, they had experiences (“Sash, you understand that not everything at once”), but at the same time they said: “Go on.”

Yes, I don't earn much. But I do what I love, I don’t go against my desires, I don’t have internal conflicts.

If you are devoted to yourself, others notice and appreciate it.

The main thing is to understand: if you refuse the main job, then you will definitely meet with difficulties. Everything will be unusual. The main thing at this moment is not to quit. Keep listening to yourself.

— How do you work on orders?

— I paint with acrylic paints on products made of natural and eco-leather. I make decor from patterns and ornaments on wallets, passport covers, cases for glasses, amulets, bookmarks, key rings.

Often the work is built like this: I compose a mandala at the request of a person. In the middle of the circle is himself. What is more important for him, I put closer to the center - for example, a symbol of well-being, health or spiritual growth. It also happens that a person simply shows a design that he likes and asks to transfer it to the product.

At first, one passport cover took me 8 hours. Now, when I have installed the equipment and gained experience, the time has been reduced to 4 hours. For one product, I usually charge 1,600–2,900 rubles.

How is the business developing now?

- Sometimes I get 50,000 rubles a month, sometimes - 25,000. I do not have a constant cash flow, but I strive for it. They say that you need to survive the first three years - then the business will become more stable.

Most orders come via the Internet: from Ulyanovsk, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk and other Russian cities.

What are your plans for the development of your business in the future?

— Initially, I developed an online niche, but now I understand that I need to go out to people: participate in exhibitions, offer my products to offline stores, organize master classes. It is important to use different tools.

Soon, for example, I will have a painting master class. I received feedback from many people who would like to learn this.

What advice would you give to those who want to make money with art?

1. Do not give up. Many times I wanted to freak out, to say: “That's it! I'm going back to work." In the summer I even found a new place, but I had enough for two days! I sat in the office and thought: “Sasha, go home and do what you love. Especially since you have orders now. Think about how else you can develop.

2. You will be scared and confused - this is normal. When questions come up, look for people to help you find the answers.

3. Walk in small steps. Before, I didn’t know how to do product photography, write posts, or shoot videos. I thought: I’ll take a course in painting and that’s it! But no. There will always be a growth area. But you need to learn new things gradually.