Episode 7: Moving Into Ease with Jen Fox
Burnout In Business
We all know burnout is real. But how do we manage it? How can we ground ourselves and still thrive? In this episode, Jen Fox shares her story with us. Her experience spans from designing quilt patterns, designing fabric, to hand-making pieces and stationery. Jen shares her experience as an artist through stages of sustaining both her business and creative exploits in a way that is best…for her.
Often for artists, it's challenging to find a balance between handmade elements and production. Throughout Jen’s growth, she shares how to preserve creative energy and get off of the “hamster wheel” of consistently producing something new and exciting on a regular basis. Here is where the challenge of creating ease in her business comes in. She shares her tactics and experience including: reflecting, remembering who and why we serve, and acknowledging the possibility in slow, small beginnings.
Finding The Sweet Spot
Moving away from one-of-a-kind work can sometimes feel scary. How do we maintain passion and excitement for our craft while producing and also creating profit? For Jen, it narrows down to tools for moving into the “new phase” of preserving creative energy and finding balance…that sweet spot.
Jen describes gaining comfort in taking data into account as well as the necessary component of giving the process time. The narrative then turns from burnout to the powerful question of “How do I make this work for ME?” Here is what Jen describes works for her:
-Intentional analytics
-Monthly routines
-A new framework
-Taking the pressure off
But where does the customer fit? How do we maintain authenticity and still sustain marketability? Inviting customers into the process in an honest and vulnerable way gives space for grace. That grace might just lead to the growth…of that sweet spot between heartbeat and profit.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Remembering your why and who you are focused on serving can keep you from going into hustle mood
Relationships are key and people meet authenticity with grace.
Data removes emotion and can be helpful to help to find your sweet spot of creating things that light you up and are also profitable
Be thankful for slow steady growth because our skills are grown over time
We need to give ourselves grace when we do new things
When we push through hurdles that get in our way we get to experience the reward on the other side
Jen Fox creates modern illustrations rooted in folk art charm. Jen draws inspiration from the desert landscape and her outdoor adventures, and combines her love of nature with the influences of her Norwegian and Pennsylvania Dutch heritage.
Jen works out of a little casita in the backyard of her home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While she's not doodling cheerful florals and dreaming up her next gardening projects, she's hiking & camping with her dogs and husband and exploring the desert and mountains nearby.
Jen’s artwork can be found on stationery, bags, jewelry, and home decor items- all with the goal to add a bit of lighthearted joy to your day with her whimsical & cheerful designs.
Visit Jen's website and instagram @jenfoxstudio
