5 Resources I'm Grateful For
This is the time of year we all focus on reflection and gratitude before we look ahead. As a creative professional and a solo business owner, the onus is often on me to seek out resources for inspiration and growth, as well as those that help me make sure I’m being treated fairly. There are so many brilliant entrepreneurs, artists, creatives, community leaders, and more, but this is a blog post, not an e-book, so I’ve tried to choose a few of my favorites.
Deliberate Freelancer
This is a wonderful podcast about being a freelance business owner. That’s one of host Melanie Padgett Powers’ most consistent lessons: You are a business owner. And she has an anti-hustle perspective that I really appreciate. It’s great to listen in on her thoughtful conversations with guests about how they run their businesses. I had the privilege of being a guest on Deliberate Freelancer in 2019, reflecting on my experience as a freelance business owner living with a chronic illness. I would be a fan of Deliberate Freelancer no matter where I lived, but it definitely adds something that I know Melanie from the Silver Spring creative community. Makes sense, right, if you know someone and their business IRL, you’re going to trust their advice even more!
Creative Mornings
The Creative Mornings community is just one of the many inspiring projects founded by Tina Roth-Eisenberg (might you be familiar with TeuxDeux or Tattly?). Personally, I don’t feel that the power of inspiration alone is enough to sustain a business long-term. BUT… it sure does give me a boost to attend a Creative Mornings DC lecture in a beautiful space like the Smithsonian American Art Museum, hyped up on Vigilante coffee, while I listen to different ways to think about the world and creativity. If you can’t make it it person, there so many great lecture videos from around the world. In particular, the Creative Mornings “Field Trips” workshop series lets you dig deeper into some of the topics in a really meaningful, practical way.
AIGA
The AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) is the professional home of graphic design. There’s no professional graphic designer certification but being a member of AIGA is as close as you can get. It marks a designer’s commitment to the progression of the field and to lifelong learning. I particularly appreciate the AIGA Eye on Design blog, which covers topics like designing with a disability and racial justice in the design community. AIGA hosts educational webinars, and both national and local workshops and networking events. Each year, for instance, AIGA DC hosts DC Design Week, which is always amazing. The 2022 theme was Community Recovery & Wellbeing, which God knows we all need. And if I ever run up against someone asking for spec work – that’s work you do for free and the client pays if they’re happy – AIGA has a clear and persuasive statement on spec work that I can reference when I make my case. Let’s just say the AIGA statement is more elegant than what everyone who gets asked for spec work is actually thinking, which is “abso-blanking-lutely not.”
Nonprofit.ist
My niche, my brand, my drive is being a graphic designer for good, working with community and mission-focused companies and organizations who seek to serve more than the bottom line. As such, it’s important for me to connect with people who work for nonprofits. Nonprofit.ist is a great community for nonprofit consultants and experts connect with one other as well as with potential nonprofit clients. I especially enjoy the workshops and opportunities to connect with other consultants. There are unique challenges and experiences we have working with nonprofits and it’s great to talk with other folks who can relate. One program, Curated Coffee Conversations, matches you with chat partners with whom you have something in common, like working in the same field. I’ve made lovely connections, even friendships, through those conversations! The only downside is the coffee itself isn’t provided. I’ve even had the chance to offer this community my own webinar: “DIY Branding to Elevate Your Business.” It was a fantastic opportunity to share my know-how and expertise!
Freelancers Union
Just reading the tagline for the Freelancers Union makes me feel inspired and empowered: “Freelancers are driving the economy. Let's act like it.” The Freelancers Union helps me stay up-to-date on topics that impact the freelancer community in the US, like access to health insurance, financial planning, and how to speak up about government policies that affect freelancers. Knowing this resource exists gives me comfort that there are folks organizing and advocating for the more 56.7 million freelancers working here in the United States.
CHANGE MAKER OF THE MONTH
This month, I’m spotlighting and supporting the American Indian College Fund, the nation’s largest charity supporting Native student access to higher education. I want to observe and honor Native American Heritage Month (November) by sharing this amazing college fund that not only supports students financially, but also equips them with tools and resources to succeed once they are enrolled in college.