Today in our ongoing Meet the Maker series, we’re getting to know illustrator Jodi Lynn Burton of Detroit, Michigan. Welcome, Jodi Lynn!
LBC: What inspired you to take your leap as an entrepreneur?
Jodi Lynn: I guess I have always had the entrepreneurial spirit. Everyone in my family owns their own business. I tried a couple different things until I started selling my illustrations. It felt right, so I just kept it up.
LBC: When you first got started, how did you envision your business would be defined?
Jodi Lynn: I never really sat down and made a plan about what the future would hold. I guess I have always been kind of bad about planning. I like to live in the moment and enjoy what’s around me. Right now, I enjoy drawing just as much as I did when I started. I come up with ideas of things I want to accomplish and try to do them. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. I envisioned being an artist – and I guess that’s what I am.
LBC: How would you describe what you create?
Jodi Lynn: I make illustrations using pen and ink. I create prints, cards, and magnets from my drawings. I also do freelance illustration and get to partner with some pretty amazing people.
LBC: Where can we find your products?
Jodi Lynn: You can find my products in various gift shops in the midwest and online at www.jodilynndoodles.com.
LBC: Walk us through your typical work day.
Jodi Lynn: The fun part about my work day is that I’m not doing the same thing every day. I work out of a couple different locations. I have a home studio where I draw out and package my products. I also work out of a local maker space where I use the laser cutter and wood shop to create my wooden magnets.
If I’m not in either of these places, I’m on the road, traveling around doing art shows. I love that illustration can take me to different places. I become more and more inspired to created new things everyday.
LBC: What are 3 things makers should think through when they initially decide to start a business?
Jodi Lynn: 1. There is always someone out there that won’t like what you’re making. Don’t take it personally.
2. If you don’t enjoy what you do, it might not be worth doing. Running a business is super hard, and it can take a toll on your life and your relationships because of the amount of time it takes to be a boss.
3. Make time every day to take care of yourself. If you can’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of your business.
LBC: When you’re overwhelmed, what brings you back to focus?
Jodi Lynn: The best cure for overwhelm is making sure you take care of yourself. If you are putting your business before taking care of yourself or your family, you are going to feel stressed out and accomplish less in the end.
LBC: Tell us about a few of the best business decisions you’ve made to date.
Jodi Lynn: I do a lot of shows, and I think the best business decision that I made was trying to do shows that didn’t have anything to do with art. For example, one year I set up at a bike expo. I got to hook up with a market that wouldn’t necessarily see my things, and it gave me a chance to connect with new shops and people that might need illustrations.
LBC: Please share one mistake or obstacle from your business experience. How did you bounce back/overcome it?
Jodi Lynn: The worst mistake I made in my business was putting it before all other things. At the end of last year, I was so stressed and overwhelmed because I spent no time keeping myself together and trying to please everyone. I think one thing to keep in mind is that it is totally ok to say “no.”
LBC: Is there a cause or organization that you contribute to that you’re particularly passionate about?
Jodi Lynn: There is an organization here in Detroit called For the Seventh Generation that collects donations to help foster children. They support foster children by matching donated services and goods with the children who need them. Foster children have special needs, and this organization’s goal is to help one child at a time.
LBC: What are 3 essential resources in your business toolbox that you can’t do without?
Jodi Lynn: 1. My paper planner
2. FreshBooks accounting program.
3. Instagram (Mine is @jodi_lynn_doodles!)
LBC: Suppose we had a time machine. If you blasted ourselves forward a few years, where would we see your company?
Jodi Lynn: Hopefully I will have more products and have expanded my services a little. I want to start working on more freelance in addition to putting my illustrations on more cool things.
LBC: What’s one thing you would eat, if you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life?
Jodi Lynn: Cereal is hands-down my favorite food. But only with almond milk. 🙂
LBC: What’s your favorite quote and who said it?
Jodi Lynn: “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” -Dolly Parton
LBC: If you were given a million dollars, but were not allowed to keep a single penny for yourself, friends or family, how would you spend it or give it away?
Jodi Lynn: I would donate it to For the Seventh Generation to go towards helping foster children.
Thank you, Jodi Lynn, for sharing your talent with us! We absolutely love what you’re doing, and we look forward to all the wonderful things ahead for you. We’re cheering you on!
Want to see your brand featured in our continuing “Meet the Maker” series? Drop us a line: hello AT luckybreakconsulting.com. Please use “MEET THE MAKER” as the subject line and be certain to include your web address. We look forward to hearing from you!
