Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in freelancing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nic Squirrell, an artist, illustrator,  and designer based in London, United Kingdom.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am an artist, and my business is split between designing art to be licensed and sold on products, SVG cutting files for hobbyists and crafters to cut at home, and teaching art online. My customers are both the companies who license my art and content and, indirectly, the lovely people who buy the end products from these companies.

Tell us about yourself

I started my business in 2005 as a small side hustle when I finished art college to bring in a bit of pocket money. For a long time, I continued working in my unrelated day job as my business grew. In 2018 I went fully self-employed and love (almost) every minute!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Just building up my business from nothing to where it now feels like a huge accomplishment and something I never imagined at the start would happen.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Not being able to switch off easily. I’ve always got a head full of ideas!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. For me, starting my business as a side hustle while working was a really good way to experiment and try different things to find out what worked best for me, and my business without the stress of my income depending on it.
  2. You have to be prepared to change course many times over the years as things evolve and circumstances change, for example, with COVID!
  3. Ultimately if you are excited about running your own business and have determination and enthusiasm, it can be so very rewarding.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.nicsquirrell.weebly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SquirrellDesigns
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicsquirrell/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/nicsquirrell
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicsquirrell/

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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