Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Laura Matteson, Founder of Illustrative LLC., located in Slingerlands, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Illustrative is a learning and creative studio for visionaries who go beyond 🙂 and strive for 🤩 and are looking for strategy, education, and support in creating visual aids for themselves and their clients/community.
Tell us about yourself
I got into visual translation because I saw how complicated important pieces of information actually were. There were so many pieces of business, parenting, and self-care that required making sense of complex concepts, and it was exhausting for me. Then, I found out that I wasn't alone in this. It actually was harder for me because of how my brain works. So, I decided to create a space where visual thinkers could translate the kaleidoscope of ideas in their brains into an easy-to-understand analogy and a clear visual picture to help them take intentional steps forward.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is the number of times that I've tried something, failed, and then tried again and succeeded. 12+ years worth of course corrections and learning curve riding. Because of that, I have a huge amount of experience and learned knowledge to share with my members and clients, and they enjoy watching me test things out for them and report back. It's been a lot of fun looking back at all the lessons learned.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest parts are those days when you hear crickets and forget to look at the bigger picture. It can be easy to second-guess yourself or your vision, but taking a step back and reminding yourself of the reason you started and why people love what you offer is what will keep you going. Feeling like no one understands your ideas can feel overwhelming too. That's why I created my visual translation systems - because so many people deal with struggling how to articulate what they do for others.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find business friends and take time to just hang out with people. Word of mouth and collaboration are great ways to grow.
- Take breaks and schedule them. We are cyclical creatures and need to rest and push at different times. So before and after a big launch or push, add in playful rest.
- Learn to say no graciously. The people who you want in your circle will understand. Not only does this weed out potentially difficult clients and collaborators, but it gives you space to make decisions that help you grow as a person and in business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.illustrative.us/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illustrative.us/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/illustrative/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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