I decided I needed a big life change, chatting with Day Kennedy

Tell us how you started your business / creative venture?

I never intended for glass to be more than a hobby, but after some intense personal hardships and becoming increasingly more frustrated and unfulfilled at my day job I decided I needed a big life change. So I quit my job and focused all of my energy on glass in May 2018. I started vending at local art markets and festivals, and my business has gradually grown from there to consistent online sales and commissions.

How long have you been doing your creative work?

I started working with glass in 2017 and officially started my business in 2018.

What made you choose this journey?

I feel like I kind of just stumbled into it. I never in a million years thought I’d be a professional artist or small business owner. But now that I know it’s possible and that it gives me such fulfillment, I’m going to work my butt off to keep it going as long as I can.

What kind of struggles did you face in your journey?

So many! As a shy introvert, it was difficult at first to talk to people at markets and sell me and my art. I’ve gotten better at it and now I can chat your ear off about glass, but being a salesperson does not come naturally to me. It’s also a struggle to balance the actual creation of my art with the necessary boring business parts. The more success I have, the less time I feel like I have to actually make the art.

What is one advice you can give to creatives struggling right now?

You’ve got to hustle! Making great art is one thing, but if you don’t have a strong work ethic and determination it’s going to be really hard to make a living. There’s so much competition and so many people are struggling financially and have less money to spend on non-essential things like art and home decor. You’ve really got to work hard to keep your business relevant and in demand.

Are there any products you recommend that helped you better your craft?

The tools for making stained glass are all pretty basic and don’t vary too much between brands. It’s really a matter of practice, patience, and perfecting your technique.

How can people learn more about you and your business?

What are some resources that have helped you succeed?

Honestly, Instagram has been the biggest resource for my online sales. More than half of my website traffic comes from Instagram, and the rest from meeting people at markets and word of mouth referrals. Also, it helps to become friends with other local artists in your community. The Atlanta art community is super supportive of each other and we all just want everyone to succeed. We lift each other up instead of trying to compete with each other.