Today’s shared story comes from Traci Penrod. After 17 years in the pharmaceutical industry Traci decided that her career just didn’t tap into her creative side enough. She enjoyed scrapbooking so much that in October of 2011, she decided to take a leap of faith and start her own company.
1. What does it mean to you to ‘do what you love’?
Doing what I love means waking up each day, thrilled about the possibilities of creating something that will encourage others to preserve their photos, share their stories, and document their everyday lives.
2. When did you realise this is what you wanted to do, and what prompted that realisation?
After losing my mom to breast cancer as a teenager, I realised the importance of our memories, the pictures we take, and the stories behind those photos. These stories may go untold if we don’t document and share them. I began scrapbooking in high school and have enjoyed this hobby ever since. Although I had a nagging desire to do more with this craft, it was not until an unexpected visit to a craft booth that my business journey began.
3. How did you go about making that a reality for yourself?
Prior to getting my business license and opening my online shop, I scrapbooked my family photos and created mini albums. No photos or journaling in the minis, just the albums. I stored the mini albums in plastic bins but had no specific plans for them. I just thought they were meaningful and enjoyed making them. Once I realized that I wanted my creative business to be a reality, my first group of products to sell were sitting in those plastic bins waiting for me!
4. What changes or sacrifices have you had to make along the way to get there?
The biggest change was leaving a job that I loved, at a national scrapbook retailer. In order to sell my own designs, I had to retire. The company would not allow me sell my designs while working for their company (conflict of interest). It was all or nothing. Leave a sure paycheck, creative women I loved, and a position in which I felt fulfilled… to take a leap into the unknown and start creating on my own. I was so scared!
5. With hindsight, what do you wish you had known back then?
Although I’m glad I took the leap and would not change a thing, I wish I had known more about purchasing supplies wholesale before I began. In the first few months, I bought my supplies retail. It took a few months to establish my wholesale accounts, learn about my vendors, and understand inventory and purchasing procedures. In retrospect, there’s always going to be something that you don’t know the answer to, but I’m glad I took and chance and jumped in with both feet. I learned a lot along the way and continue to learn something new every single day.
6. What is your big dream now?
I still want people to understand the importance of preserving their photos and memories for future generations. Someday, someone might want to know their story, like I wish I knew my mom’s. The mission of Artsy Albums is to help make that happen — for people who scrapbook…and those who never want to pick up a pair of scissors. Everyone takes pictures, but it’s the stories behind the photos that people will want to know.
Find out more about Traci on her website Artsy Albums.
***
We would love to share YOUR story here on Do What You Love, so others can be inspired by your courage and the chances you have taken. Find out more here.
