Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Julia Simons, Owner of Seek to Spring, located in Seattle, WA, USA.

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

Seek to Spring is a surface pattern design studio based out of Seattle, Washington. The driving purpose behind my studio is to bring color, nature, and whimsy into people’s lives through the creation of original surface pattern designs.

Now you might be asking yourself, “what is a surface pattern?” A surface pattern is a piece of artwork or group of motifs that repeat continuously to cover a desired area. I personally create my artwork through the Procreate App and Adobe Illustrator, but there are many other ways to achieve a surface pattern. You can find surface patterns across many industries, like apparel, stationery, jewelry, home decor, and much more!

My main areas of focus include my own online shop, print-on-demand fabric and wallpaper through Spoonflower, as well as a variety of licensing collaborations, including a wholesale fabric manufacturer and a cellphone case company.

Tell us about yourself

My love for surface pattern design started long before I knew it was something I could turn into a career. When I was growing up, I was an avid sewer, and the best part of that process was getting to walk up and down the aisles of the fabric store and pick out fabric designs for new projects. Fast forward a few years, I attended Colorado State University with a concentration in Apparel Design and Production, which was an incredibly creative time in my life. Upon graduation, I went a more technical route into product development. It’s something I am still passionate about today, however, the career path I was on lacked any creation of my own, and I knew something was missing.

To mend this, I decided to prioritize my own creativity. It was around this same time I found my love for surface pattern design and, by extension, entrepreneurship. Running my own business is a challenge, and it’s one that fuels a part of me that enjoys project management and system tracking. The creative element of this job allows me to express myself and share a piece of who I am with others. The two together have formed a balance that I never expected to find.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment was independently moving a product through its cycle from concept to end customer. Having worked for other product-based companies, I felt like such a small piece of a larger puzzle. Now as a team of one, I became all departments, including sourcing, costing, design, development, operations, marketing, sales, and even shipping (to name a few). Once my first product launch was done, I sat back and felt in awe of what I had accomplished. From that moment on, I was hooked and felt like there was nothing but opportunities for me!

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

I would say it’s sacrifice, especially in the early years. Building a foundation for a business is important, and it can take a lot of time and effort to get things moving. This can mean giving up certain aspects of your life to make things work. For me, my social life definitely took a hit, and that’s something I have accepted. As I progress, I have formed new friendships in places I wouldn’t have expected, so in the end, it’s worth it for me.

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

  1. Keep going – I know that sounds easier said than done, but even if it feels that you are making little progress or you have some setbacks, the time spent moving forward will be worth it. There are plenty of times in my own journey that I considered stopping, but each time I make sure to consider how far I’ve come. Over time this starts to compound, and I am reminded of the amazing work I have done, much of which I would not have achieved had I not kept going!
  2. Find a community – Whether it’s something local or online, having a community will only help bring you further along in this journey. Having others who know what you’re going through is incredibly valuable, as they can be a resource for support, education, and connection. Community also gives you the opportunity to pass along what you have learned, only strengthening your knowledge and experience.
  3. Embrace what YOU have to offer – It can seem scary to start a business, especially if there are feelings of oversaturated markets or imposter syndrome. If you take the time to appreciate what makes you unique and let that become a part of your business, it nourishes what you have to offer and helps you stand out.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.seektospring.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seektospring/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonsjulia/

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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