Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in ecommerce but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marjorie Sarnat, Founder of Marjorie Sarnat Design & Illustration, located in Granada Hills, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My principal business is Marjorie Sarnat Design & Illustration, where along with my partner, Marty Safir, we specialize in providing art for companies in publishing, giftware, home décor, and the craft industries.
Our direct clients are licensees who manufacture and market such products as adult coloring books, collectibles, giftware, kitchenware, diamond paintings, jigsaw puzzles, and crafts.
As a popular author/artist for Dover Publications' Creative Haven coloring books, "colorists" create and share their colored pages from my books in communities all over the world. Figurines made from my art and original paintings and giclées are in the hands of collectors. https://www.sarnatart.com
We have our own line of giftware sold directly to consumers from our online store under the name Cats & Company. Our products include mugs, apparel, tote bags, posters, giclée prints on canvas, and more. Sales are mostly to customers who are fans of my art.
Tell us about yourself
I have loved creating art my entire life and could not imagine doing anything else. I have taught art or worked as an illustrator throughout my career. I don't know where this passion comes from, but I know that I wake up each day with a passion for creating. It's gratifying to see something that began as an idea develop into a product that brings enjoyment to others.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have had many top-selling products in the marketplace. Earlier in my career, I created several lines of collectibles for The San Francisco Music Box Company. Crystal Visons®, now retired, which depicted dragons, wizards, and fantasy themes, sold over $1 million at retail and had a devoted following of collectors.
More recently, my first two coloring books, Creative Cats and Owls, have sold over 3 million copies. Both remained on the Publishers Weekly Trade Paperback Bestseller list for most of the year they were published. It was remarkable to me to be in the company of others on the list, such as Stephen King or James Patterson.
I have fans from all over the world who color the illustrations in my 30 coloring books. I'm personally connected to the colorists through my Facebook coloring group, Marjorie Sarnat Creative Coloring. They inspire me every day.
Ultimately, beyond the sales figures, my motto is, "I measure my artistic success by the delight of my audience."
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Balancing time to maintain a dialog with my fans along with time to market my products and services. As a business owner, I need to stay committed and productive on a daily basis and still generate sales.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Love what you do. That passion will get you through tough financial times.
- Look at things from the customer's point of view. What do they want and need? How can you best serve them with what you do?
- Create a community of fans and a network of colleagues. They're a precious key to success. Offer them whatever you can whenever you can to build a foundation of goodwill.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.marjoriesarnat.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarjorieSarnatArt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marjoriesarnat/
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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