This is # 12 in a series of interviews with Etsy entrepreneurs.

Ella Averbukh, a New York-based knit apparel and accessories designer, was on a quest to figure out how she could earn a living using her creative skills. She found the answer in Etsy. In this interview, learn how Ella is building a brand using her combined creative skills and interest in her Etsy store – Ellita’s Flying Snail.

What brought you to become an Etsy shop owner?

I have always been interested in design, fashion, and art; continuously searching for my own artistic identity, and questioning how one can earn a living by honing their creative side. When I heard about Etsy, my interests merged, and I found the answer. So here I am!

How do you market your business?

There are many ways one can promote their business online. Besides Etsy, I also post my work on such sites as www.trunkt.org, www.senseoffashion.com, www.dawanda.com, www.wholesalecrafts.com. Facebook is another site that is quite useful, as I can upload images of my work on the assorted fashion communities’ pages and interact with people with similar interests, thus promoting my work. And of course, wearing my own designs draws immediate attention; and since I always have a batch of business cards with me—the marketing is also always on the go!

How has social media helped your business? What have you found works best for your store?

Social networking definitely helps my business. I often attend NYC fashion events where I mingle with people interested in style and fashion, thus assembling either creative collaborations or business connections, while promoting my work at the same time. I also attend various trade shows and trunk shows in and around NYC, and I try to plan attending similar events—when I travel—in Europe.
　
What is your favorite part of being an Etsy store owner?

My favorite part of being an Etsy store owner is playing the major role in the little world I created, combining all of my skills and interests. I love interacting with my customers and with the fellow Etsians. I draw constant inspiration through this communication, and not only for my creativity, but also for the appreciation of beauty in the minds and hearts of others.

What are some of the ways that you find Etsy helps in your success as a store owner?

Etsy has many promotional tools which are quite useful. One of such features is “Treasuries,” wherein the items from various stores are combined into a beautiful mosaic to be posted on the front page. Etsy shop owners can also promote their work by featuring one of their items in the “Showcases” and “Gift Guides.” Etsy administrators could also select Etsy shop owners to be the “Featured Sellers.” Featured sellers are asked to give an interview about their work and the experience of being the Etsy shop owners, and the interview is posted on the front page for two days. This usually attracts attention of many people to the shop, thus increasing popularity and sales. An interview about “Ellita’s Flying Snail” shop can be found here: http://www.etsy.com/featured_seller.php?featured_user_id=5311402

What advice would you give new Etsians just starting out?

My first advice to the new Etsy shop owners would be to come up with their own authentic look and style in their designs, something that can stand out among other products. Having good quality product photography is crucial, as the buyers want to have a clear image of what they are getting. Photography, as well, can help define the store’s brand style, so that when people browse the items on Etsy, the image of the product will let the customers recognize the store right away.

How did you come up with your shop name?

“Ellita” has been my nickname forever, and I always had an affinity to the symbol of the snail with wings (I have no idea what it symbolizes, I just love it!) Together it came to be “Ellita’s Flying Snail.”

How do you brand yourself to make your shop unique?

I have previously described how photography could be crucial in creating the brand image of the store. I can also add that I have an affinity towards Renaissance, Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Steam Punk influences in fashion, and my designs reflect it. Finding models for the pictures that resonate with these fashion periods in their look also contributes to the creation of the whole “feel” of the brand.

Do you feel a sense of community among the Etsy shop owners?

Absolutely. As I mentioned before, communication with other Etsy shop owners is one of the best Etsy features, as it contributes to the sense of community and provides continuous feedback.

How do you connect with your buyers?

I always attach a hand-made tag to each item with the shop’s logo and the name of the design. I also make sure to gift-wrap each item and include a thank you card with each order.
　
Visit Ella’s Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Ellita

Julie Barnes is the author is this post. Julie is excited to be living in Generation E – the age of the Entrepreneur. As a writer, she enjoys writing about all aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. She enjoys interviewing entrepreneurs whose experience and wisdom can inspire others to follow their entrepreneurial dreams. Julie lives and works in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, KS with her husband Ron, lovable dog Hank, and sweet kitten Sammy. You can visit her site at www.julieabarnes.com. Follow Julie on Twitter at @JulieBarnesKS. Become a Facebook friend at Julie Barnes.

Raymond Lei started ooShirts, a custom t-shirt business, when he was just 16 years old. Raymond had the task of ordering t-shirts for his high school tennis club, when he became disgusted at the lack of a clear solution for his t-shirt needs. In this interview, learn how Raymond grew ooShirts, whose primary principle is efficiency, into a business with $1 million in yearly revenue.

When did you start ooShirts?

I started ooShirts when I was 16 years old. I was a sophomore in high school.

How did you come up with your business idea?

During the summer after my freshman year in high school, I went on a trip to Hangzhou, China, where I first became interested in business. During my stay there, I would walk outside and see this amazing growth of small businesses all around me. Every day, a buzzing new shop would open and replace an old dying one, and every week, the products being sold just kept getting better and better. The customers, myself included, enjoyed as they could buy more and more for less.

When I returned to my home in Cupertino, I had the task of ordering t-shirts for my high school tennis club. As I looked for a place to order from, I couldn’t find a clear solution. All existing companies were either overpriced or had untrustworthy and unfriendly websites. I was a little angered at the lack of a solution. The industry was huge (everyone wears custom t-shirts) but the businesses in it were unsatisfactory. I thought I could provide a better product to customers at a lower cost and set out to do it.

How has your business evolved since the start of your business?

There were several stages, depending on how far back you want to go. At the very start, I directly talked to other clubs at my school and sold to them. After receiving more orders, I built a website so I could take each order more efficiently. After receiving even more orders, I hired a couple employees to help me take orders so that I could focus less on operations and more on growth. Now, we’re building an automated system so that each employee can take care of $1 million in yearly revenue. So you can say we’ve become more efficient. We’ve also improved our supply chain from one supplier to twenty suppliers. I’ll discuss how this helps us later.

Have you always been entrepreneurial?

It depends on how you define entrepreneurial. I’ve always liked to do things differently. I never liked joining existing groups, and haven’t ever joined a group I didn’t create. I would always embark on my own projects fueled by my own ideas. And I liked coming up with these ideas. If that’s how you define entrepreneurial, then yes, I’ve always been entrepreneurial.

One of the things that sets ooShirts apart from your competitors is your company principles. Can you tell us about them and how they work?

Our primary principle is efficiency. We’re much more efficient than our competitors.

First, our ordering process is very streamlined. Our website allows customers to create their own t-shirt designs without manual help from our artists. They can do everything they need to do online, and submit it to us. When we receive the design, the automated order processing code we wrote lets us take care of each order quickly and accurately.

Second, we’ve set up a network of 20 printers and suppliers around the United States. This is important for several purposes. In addition to letting us get shirts to the customers faster and with lower shipping costs, it also lets us have a greater, more readily available line of products in stock.

Third, we outsource internationally. We outsource a good amount of programming and graphic design work overseas where we can get the same quality work at the fraction of the cost.
When we combine these three points, we can price our custom t-shirts at 30 to 50 percent lower cost than our competitors and still make a profit. This is the value customers are looking for, and this is the reason we’ve been growing so quickly these past couple of months.

You are student at UC Berkeley. How has being a student helped you on your entrepreneurial journey?

There are two parts to being a student. One involves academics, the other involves people. I don’t think taking academic courses helps with my business. Textbooks do not teach you how to think different; they teach you how to think the same. I don’t find learning from a textbook is helpful for me, or for any other entrepreneur. I won’t drop out. Though I am an entrepreneur, I am also human. I’ve met some truly amazing people, and want to continue building relationships here.

How do you balance school and business?

I pick the easiest classes and spend the rest of my time on my business.

What are your plans for the future of your business?

My goal is to have an average 50% month-over-month growth rate for the remaining months this year.

For more information on Raymond and ooShirts visit http://www.ooshirts.com.

Julie Barnes is the author is this post. Julie is excited to be living in Generation E – the age of the Entrepreneur. As a writer, she enjoys writing about all aspects of the entrepreneur journey. She enjoys interviewing entrepreneurs whose experience and wisdom can inspire others to follow their entrepreneurial dreams. Julie lives and works in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, KS with her husband Ron and lovable dog Hank. You can visit her site at www.julieabarnes.com. Follow Julie on Twitter at @JulieBarnesKS. Become a Facebook friend at Julie Barnes.

Robert Stringfellow started Megadata Technology while on active duty in the US Army. Megadata Technology provides rapid, trusted deliverables that secure information for their clients. In this interview, learn how Robert took Megadata Technology to a SBA 8(a) certified business that landed him in the Clinton and Bush Whitehouses.

What brought you to start Megadata?

Megadata Technology (MDT) was originally start as a sole- proprietorship while on active duty at the White House Communication Agency (WHCA) in September 1999, and later grew into a limited liability corporation (LLC) in 2005. My thoughts for MDT were always to be a business that I could leave as a legacy for my family.

What services does Megadata provide?

MDT provides services and solution such as Information Assurance, IT Security Audit/ Regulatory Compliance, Rapid Security Assessments, Information Technology, Telecommunication, and Program/Acquisition Management Support.

Are your services for all size businesses?

Yes.

What are some areas that small businesses overlook when protecting their data?

Availability of the data, specifically denial-of-service and loss of data processing capabilities due to natural disaster or intentional human actions, and Integrity of the data in which you grant access based on a need-to-know basis, separation of duties, and rotation of duties as it relates to their information systems.

Your background includes working with the IT departments in the Clinton and Bush White Houses, and US Army? How did you secure contracts with the government?

My background at the above mention locations was to protect the physical (analog) form of data. All of our government contracts were secure first through well nurtured relationships, and second through the use of our SBA 8(a) certification.

You are a veteran. Thank you for your service. How has your military background helped you as an entrepreneur?

My military background helps me to be a leader, a team builder, and to ultimately maintain a clear focused vision. Also, it has taught me to assess every situation independently and to assign risk factors if necessary. And last, to take responsibility and seek self-improvement for mishaps that may happen along the way.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Every individual needs to take responsibility for his information/data, whether it is in the physical (analog) or digital format.

For more information on Robert Stringfellow and Megadata Technology visit www.megadatatechnology.net

Julie Barnes is the author is this post. Julie is excited to be living in Generation E – the age of the Entrepreneur. As a writer, she enjoys writing about all aspects of the entrepreneur journey. She enjoys interviewing entrepreneurs whose experience and wisdom can inspire others to follow their entrepreneurial dreams. Julie lives and works in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, KS with her husband Ron and lovable dog Hank. You can visit her site at www.julieabarnes.com. Follow Julie on Twitter at @JulieBarnesKS. Become a Facebook friend at Julie Barnes.

This is the fourth in a series of interviews with Etsy entrepreneurs.

Ashley Nizolek is a 25 yr old independent Jewelry Designer and Artisan. Ashley attended one of the fashion Mecca’s in NYC – The Fashion Institute of Technology. Ashley moved from the world of high fashion to the fun and exciting world of indie design by opening an Etsy shop. Ashley has a comprehensive shop up and running with over 200 items and was chosen by Etsy as an Etsy Featured Seller and watched her business grow. In this interview, learn how Ashley began her flourishing Etsy shop – A.N. Original Jewelry and left her 9 – 5 behind.

What brought you to become an Etsy shop owner?

Well first of all, I loved the idea of this handmade movement that seemed to really be brought about by Etsy and sites like it. I poked around on Etsy for a good 3 months before deciding to go forward and open up my own shop there. I had already been in business for a while outside of Etsy and had a website set up with a shopping cart set up but felt like I wasn’t able to reach my niche market of “Handmade” enthusiasts. After I got a better feel for Etsy, how it worked and how other shop owners seemed to be doing there, I decided to go for it and try my hand at selling on Etsy. I loved the unique charm of Etsy, the fact that it catered to a niche market and the fact that it felt young and hip, rather than a site full of knitted baby booties and quilts. Sure you can find those things on Etsy, but you can also find a really innovative group of up and coming indie designers with unique view points and fresh ideas.

How do you market your business?

Marketing my business is something thats always changing and evolving. In the beginning of my time on Etsy I didn’t do much off of Etsy. WIthin the Etsy community I made sure to be active on a daily basis, contributing helpful thoughts and ideas to other Etsy community members, trading business tips, introducing new designs etc. As my Etsy business grew, along with the number of sellers on Etsy grew, I realized I really needed to start reaching outside of Etsy to advertise. I began buying ad spots on popular handmade blogs and websites, as well as sponsoring giveaways with indie design blogs whenever possible, so long as I thought I was a good fit for the style of the website. I’ve also realized that Etsy shop owners are also Etsy buyers, so buying ad spots on Etsy resource websites like CraftCult have been worth their weight in gold. Other than purchased ad spots and giveaways etc, I rely heavily on word of mouth spread by happy customers. Nothing is more effective than a happy customer spreading the word and providing one on one testimonials to their family and friends. I am happy to say I have many repeat customers over my 2 years selling on Etsy.

How has social networking helped your business? What have you found works best for your store?

Social networking is a balancing act. There’s a fine line between effectively advertising and giving your business visibility and spam. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter allow me to interact with my customers by letting them know about special offers, new designs etc. I think the key with social networking is having a healthy mix of business and personal anecdotes. People are only going to keep checking in on you and your business if you act as an entertainer of sorts, providing comedic thoughts and stories about your life, obviously nothing too personal, but anything that helps people feel like they know you a bit more helps tremendously when it comes to people trusting you and your business. Twitter has hands down been my most effective social networking tool, next to blogging. My blog, which I link to from my website, is also a huge help. It shows people things behind the scenes that keep them engaged in your work as well as interested in you are a person. It allows your customers and fellow sellers to become a fly on the wall in the life of an independent designer.

What is your favorite part of being an Etsy store owner?

Etsy’s international appeal is really unsurpassed by other handmade market places online and if I were a B&M store I would have virtually no chance of building an international customer base. I love the fact that when I list an item on Etsy, it is beamed to all corners of the world. A solid 40% of my business is shipped internationally, which is really something I couldn’t hope to achieve without a marketplace like Etsy. I also love the ease of communication I have with my customers, I have the chance to maintain a relationship with my customers beyond the initial sale, and many of them choose to follow my blog or follow me on Twitter. Having an Etsy store also means pretty low overhead, and in this economy that has been key to keeping my business strong and thriving. I also love the flexibility of it; I make my own schedule and can work all night if I choose, since I am a night owl. I can also take my shop with me wherever I go via my Blackberry! I can answer customer emails, re-list sold items and tweak my store from the beach, and that is truly a treat.

What are some of the ways that you find Etsy helps in your success as a store owner?

Etsy is really great at promoting their sellers wherever they can. I recently participated in a special promotion which was made possible by Etsy teaming up with a website called The Frisky, to promote selected curated sellers. Etsy also provides a way for shop owners to learn new things via their virtual labs, ask admins questions in a live chat, talk about techniques to photo your work, all sorts of different things. Etsy brings a scholastic element to the table, offering all Etsy sellers (and buyers) new information around every corner, it’s just up to YOU to take advantage of it and use it to your best ability. A lot of Etsy is up to each singular shop owner, you have control over your own shop and its up to you to do what’s necessary to get yourself out there and succeed, but the teaching aspect that Etsy offers is something that really enriches the community and gives those who take advantage of the information offer a leg up on other shops on Etsy.

What advice would you give new Etsians just starting out?

I would first and foremost say be patient and take advantage of the amazingly unique community aspect of Etsy! Nothing happens overnight, and Etsy is no different. You really need to build your shop, your brand, and your good name on Etsy from the ground up. Dive head first into the community offered on Etsy and be friendly with your fellow Etsy Sellers (and of course buyers). I spent the first month I was on Etsy soaking up as much information as I possibly could. Read through the forums, be an active part in the Etsy community, but also remember its a give and take. Etsy is a little bit of the “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine” mentality. Lots of people are willing to share tips etc but you should be prepared to offer what you can in the way of tips, tricks, SOMETHING. It’s important to gain the respect of your Etsy peers, including Etsy Admins, to be successful on Etsy. You have to realize everything you do, or say, is a reflection of your business when you do or say it on Etsy. Your ALWAYS representing you brand and you can’t ever overlook that on Etsy.

How did you come up with your shop name?

My shop name really isn’t all that interesting, it’s a play on my initials, which are A.N. So, when throwing around potential brand names we started to think “Hey, it could be ‘An Original’ but using your initials so it’s ‘A.N. Original’, your jewelry is handmade and unique, it’s ‘an original’ piece of jewelry. I purposely didn’t choose a trendy fun name like “Pineapple and Barkley” because I just figured I’d let my jewelry speak for itself rather than designing under a crazy name that attracts more attention than the actual jewelry.

How do you brand yourself to make your shop unique?

Branding is so important, but it can also be very expensive, especially for a smaller business, so I’ve had to really take a look at what was going to make me unique. I really like to focus on crisp clean lines and photos paired with lots of color. I photograph my work simply on a rainbow of colored backgrounds but make sure the tone and richness of the colors are all still harmonious. In the beginning I wanted everything to be very sleek, I wanted everything black and white, and crisp and sterile, like a high end designer. But, let’s face it, I am not Marc Jacobs so that doesn’t work for me or my brand. When I decided to bring a lot of color into my shop and focus on more whimsical yet still chic designs I saw a response almost immediately. People enjoy the feeling of happiness and lightheartedness they get when browsing my shop and I get lots of comments on how inviting it is. So, for me, bright colors, whimsical designs and crisp clean pictures are my calling card.

Do you feel a sense of community among the Etsy shop owners?

Definitely. As I mentioned in a previous question, the community is what makes Etsy SO unique and it is a valuable tool for your success on Etsy. Part of the reason I think I was able to find success on Etsy was that I took lots of time at the beginning to establish myself as a thoughtful and contributing member of the Etsy community, I soaked up any information I could like a sponge and wasn’t afraid to contact high sellers to ask questions or even just introduce myself and let them know I appreciate their work. Etsy is like a little (well HUGE actually) family, I’ve made a large number of friends on Etsy who then in turn send their friends and family my way to see my work, it just increases the word of mouth advertising tenfold to have a positive contributing attitude towards the Etsy community.

How do you connect with your buyers?

I work hard to make sure that when a customer receives an order in the mail it’s like opening a present! I don’t want it to be sterile and impersonal, that’s not why people shop on Etsy! I’m not Macy’s so I don’t send things in plastic bags in a cardboard box, I appreciate that my customer are choosing to support the handmade movement and work hard to make their ordering experience memorable. I try to include a number of fun items like logo magnets, custom A.N. Original lip balms, Chupa Chup lollipops (which are a huge hit) , Care cards, a little note to the customer to thank them if I’m able to. Many times a customer will tell me why their buying the item in a note with their purchase so if they do that I usually try to write a little card in response to further the personal connection. I also work hard to make sure I have lovely packaging, I spend the extra money on high quality brightly colored boxes and satin ribbon in vibrant colors. Since I use a rainbow of colors in my branding I like to change up my packaging color combos every few months. One month I might have light green boxes with purple satin ribbon and the next I will have periwinkle boxes with vibrant pink satin ribbon and use my logo to tie it all together. Once in a while I will offer some sort of coupon code or free gift as well. My ‘extras’ in my packaging are always changing because I have so many repeat customers I love to have a new surprise for them each time they purchase, and it’s just more fun and stimulating for me personally to keep things as fresh and new as I can.

For more information on Ashley and her Etsy shop visit www.anoriginaljewelry.etsy.com or visit her website at www.anoriginaljewelry.com. Follow Ashley on Twitter at twitter.com/ANORIGINAL. Become a Facebook Fan at www.facebook.com/pages/AN-Original-Jewelry/71161615360?ref=s

Julie Barnes is the author is this post. Julie is excited to be living in Generation E – the age of the Entrepreneur. As a writer, she enjoys writing about all aspects of the entrepreneur journey. She enjoys interviewing entrepreneurs whose experience and wisdom can inspire others to follow their entrepreneur dreams. Julie lives and works in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, KS with her husband Ron and lovable dog Hank. You can visit her site at http://www.onewhowrites.com. Follow Julie on Twitter at Twitter.com/JulieBarnesKS. Become a Facebook friend at Julie Barnes.

Sarah and Jerry Cook

Sarah Cook knows first-hand what it is like to have grown up in an entrepreneurial home. Sarah’s father owned his own successful computer programming business as did her grandfather. Their example left a huge impact on Sarah who received her BA in Family Studies from Utah State University and has owned her own successful national-wide direct sales skin care business for nearly 16 years. In the last three years Sarah has worked diligently with her own three children to help bring their business ideas to life. In this interview, learn how Sarah is sharing what she has learned with CEO Kids and their parents from around the world.

Raising CEO Kids is a valuable resource for parents of kid entrepreneurs. Can you tell us how you came up with the idea?

The idea of “Raising CEO Kids” was inspired by my children. Jacob has always wanted to earn money. He started selling on e-Bay when he was 10. He consistently made the money he needed to get the things he wanted and bought himself a laptop. Learning and fixing things on the computer brought him so much joy. He started fixing things for people for free and finally began charging as his confidence grew. In May 2009 at 12 years old he officially started his business, Jake’s Tutorials and Tech Support. My daughter got excited about the money Jake was making along the way and began her own business, Creating with CC at just 10 years old. Jon is coming up behind them starting his business, Jumping Jack Jon at 6 years old. As I worked with each of my children, I sensed their excitement in creating their own money. I saw them gain confidence in so many areas: money management, public speaking, leadership and so much more. It was heart-warming to also see them increase in their desire to give – 10% to our church as well as donations of time and products to school fundraisers and the homeless. In my heart I wondered if what we were learning and what we were doing could somehow be of benefit to other families. As I talked with other families from around the world who either had kids in business or who had kids who wanted to be in business, I had so much encouragement to put together resources to support families in raising entrepreneurs. We have only just begun putting together the resources that we want to make available for kids and families around the world.

What kind of resources are offered by Raising CEO Kids for kid entrepreneurs and their parents?

Right now we offer inspirational and educational articles, audio interviews and clickable resources such as business plans, tax work sheets and the biz expert’s directory. I hosted a teleseminar in Nov 2009 and those resources are available for purchase. I host a weekly free mastermind call, The Saturday Morning Mastermind where I interview “CEO Kids” and one of their parents. At the end I open up the line for questions so that families from around the world can get their questions answered by “real kids making money” and “real parents raising them”. This month we are launching our monthly web TV show about different aspects of Raising CEO Kids. In April we are hosting a free webinar/teleseries called, Cash Savvvy Kids in conjunction with National Financial Literacy Month. The replays and resources from the series will also be available for purchase. In May we plan to launch classes for kids who want to make money by kids who are making money. We already have a waiting list of people who want to take some of the classes! Very soon our CEO Kids directory will be launched to offer kids in business a venue for advertising as well as a forum for both parents and kids. Of course there is also the book that I am writing which includes over 110 kids that I have interviewed. I am hoping to have it published by our one year anniversary!

You grew up in an entrepreneurial family. What valuable tools did you learn that inspired you to carry on the tradition of being an entrepreneur?

Some of the tools I learned were people skills, public speaking, personal management, goal setting, creativity, focus, and my work ethic. I was inspired by the ability that entrepreneurs had to choose when they wanted to work as well as the tax advantages that having a business offered. I was highly motivated to make my own money as the minimum wage was only $4 per hour and you can hardly buy groceries on that amount per hour. I made and sold jewelry in high school and then went on to become a Mary Kay Sales Director my 2nd year in college.

And now your three kids that each have their own businesses. What advice could you give other parents of kids wanting to start a business?

There are a couple of things that I always tell parents who have entrepreneurial minded kids and then there are some things I share only if it specifically applies to their children. The first thing is to encourage their children to do what they LOVE! When children can make money doing what they love, they learn to create money without experiencing the burn out because it doesn’t really feel like “work” to them! The second thing I would tell them is to “let them do it”. I see some parents trying to run their children’s businesses for them. Yes some kids do need a bit of a nudge to get going at times but mostly we just need to be there to advise, drive around, love them unconditionally and make sure they are covering their bases. Depending on their child’s business idea, I also share about getting press, using social media, blogging, tax resources, legal resources, and people they should connect with.

What part do you and your husband play in your kids businesses?

In Jacob’s business we serve as advisor, driver (to local client’s homes), encourager, and his PR service. I am always so proud of him, that I tell everyone about the work he does. In Clarissa’s business we play the same rolls as in Jacob’s but I also offer her a lot of tech support and confidence boosting since she is still a bit shy. Jon’s business is just starting. I film him for his videos and sports reviews. I also role play with him on things he can say. I take him shopping to find products he would like to review that he can then offer as affiliate links on his website.

Do you find that being a kid entrepreneur helps them in school?

The children are advanced in their schooling. They all know they have to get their school work done before they can work on their businesses. They work hard and get their stuff done quickly so that they can have plenty of time to work on business.

Is there anything you would like add?

I would add that I believe it is a huge advantage for parents to have their own business so that they can model business skills in the home. This really helped my own children. They have all been born into an entrepreneurial home. It is what they know! They see all the benefits as well as the pitfalls. I don’t know if they will ever choose to work for someone else now that they have fallen in love with working for themselves.

For more information on Sarah and Raising CEO Kids visit http://raisingceokids.com. To find out more about the Saturday Morning Mastermind visit http://www.saturdaymorningmastermind.com/.

Julie Barnes is a Freelance Writer focusing on her passion of entrepreneurship. Julie published “So You Want to Start a Business…Now What?” (Available on Amazon) in December 2009. Julie lives and works in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, KS with her husband Ron and lovable dog Hank. You can visit her site at http://www.onewhowrites.com.

A creative entrepreneur who turned his talent into a business.  Learn about the originative Kidlandia.com, how it works and how it all began.  Enjoy the insight and great tips.  Have a great week everyone!

Can you begin by introducing yourself and giving us some background?

Hi, my name is Brian Backus. I live in San Francisco and have twin sons who are four years old.  I’ve always loved children’s animation and illustration, particularly maps and monsters.  I grew up in San Diego, and my aunt lived next to Dr. Seuss.  I was drawing fantasy creatures by four and had a whole bestiary of clay characters by seven.  I also had this obsession with maps, which might have been why I traveled a lot as a young man.

I went to film school at USC, then became a Producer at Disney Interactive.  I’d tried to start the first interactive greeting card company, but failed for lack of business knowledge, so I went to business school and then started a small software company. I continued my art as a hobby though, and in 2004 received a commission to paint a personalized kingdom for a child.  It was fun to do and the child liked it, so word got out and I couldn’t keep up with demand. They were labor intensive and expensive though, up to $2,000, so there was no way to scale it.  Fortunately many of my clients were technology experts, who encouraged me to figure out how to make the maps more widely available.

Kidlandia.com has a very interesting concept.  Can you briefly give us a rundown of what it is all about and how it works?

Thank you!   Kidlandia.com lets you personalize a kingdom for a favorite child in your life. You name the kingdom after the kid, such as Lucyland or Tuckertopia, then name all cities, islands, and mountains after grandparents, siblings, yourself, pets, you name it!  Anyone and anything important to the child. The kingdoms are inhabited by playful fantasy characters, which you can also name. The maps are a festive way to display a family tree and turn it into quality home décor. Making the maps is really fun too, and it’s a great activity to do with a kid if they’re old enough.

When you’re happy with your kingdom, you can order it as a fine art on canvas, to give as a gift and hang in the child’s room. They’re the best quality prints on canvas on the market, called giclée. They’re protected against UV and will last 200 years if you take care of them, so they’re instant heirlooms.

Why do you believe Kidlandia.com is successful and how have you continued to do well during this “economy?”

Kidlandia.com is brand new, so it’s too early to know whether it will truly succeed.   I will say though that the early response has been wonderful.  I think the way we’re standing out in this economy is by having a unique offering that provides real long-term value to families. Also, we have a talented team and several great strategic advisors who are making a big impact.

You’ve been making these interesting drawings since you were a kid.  What inspired you later on in life to use these and form a business around them?

Opportunity came knocking.  I made them as a labor of love and a refuge from business for many years.  At a certain point I realized that my passion could also be a business, and there was an opportunity worth exploring.  A lot of people had to push me first though.

Were you ever worried about people taking your ideas? If so, how did you overcome that?

Absolutely, like anyone doing a startup.  After a few startups though, you realize that turning an idea into a functioning business is such an enormous task that chances are that anyone else working as hard as you is probably working on their own passionate idea. Also, no two executions of the same idea will ever be the same. Finally, competition is a reality in our lives, and fearing it only leads to paralysis – you have more to gain by acting than not – and by sharing your idea judiciously.

In the beginning, how did you go about getting these maps sold to people? Was it difficult at first?

It was all word of mouth. Selling new things is always hard, even when it happens on its own.

Do you have any goals for Kidlandia?

If I said Disney for the 21^st century, I’d be accused of hubris.  So I won’t.

Do you have any future projects planned? Any more exciting art to bring to the world?

I will be focused on Kidlandia until I’m dragged kicking from my kingdom.

What advice can you give to creative individuals like yourself who want to do more with their designs and drawings?

The business models for distributing designs and drawings are undergoing a revolution, especially with print-on-demand.  If you can figure out how your art fits into an emerging pattern of buying, you’ll be in good shape. It’s the old “sell into a growing market.” 

Any last words, insight or tips?

An upside to the downturn for many people is the rare opportunity to deepen their understanding of what drives them and what they can contribute to the world. Take it if you can.

Thank you for doing this wonderful interview Brian!

Kidlandia.com

Thanks for checking out GetYourBizSavvy.com

Come by next Monday for another exciting interview!

You’re an entrepreneur.  You work from home.  This is what you have always wanted to do.  The trouble is, you are lonely and find it hard to sit down and focus on your work.  You want to talk to people about your business, but no one seems to care to listen.  You try to get off your butt and do stuff, but you are reluctant because of your down feelings.

What do you do?

Well you have several options.

1. Give it up. The simple answer.  It was fun being an entrepreneur, but you need to be told what to do in an office with your boss and co-workers around you.  It may sound hard to believe, but these people add a presence to your daily life.  You look around, see others doing work and thereafter react by doing your own work.  You also have to do your work or else you get fired.
2. Set Targets. Act like your going into your office everyday.  At night or in the morning, set your to do list and goals for the day.  Have a meeting with yourself and go over what has to be done and what has been done.
3. Get Outside. Fresh air is a great feeling.  Sometimes your office gives you an overwhelming feeling.  Go for a walk, run, or play a sport.  Get your mind off work for a bit or think about how you are going to get back into the office after your run and do some effective work.
4. Get Online. You are an entrepreneur and their are many other entrepreneurs out there just like you.  Go to MeetUp.com and find local business/entrepreneurs groups.  Find forums that fit your interests.
5. Partner Up. Yes, you have to give up some of your business.  I know losing shares in your business may not be the most appealing thing, but you get someone to work with everyday.  You share decisions and can talk business.
6. Treat Yourself. This one is very important.  You devote all your time to your business and often forget about yourself.  Don’t forget that you are the one in charge.  You deserve something in return.  Whether it’s a day off or a gift, it’s a treat and it’s necessary!

Confused about the title?!?!

Since all we hear in the news is the economic crisis we are going to do another article about it.  It is hard for many of us to believe that we are not part of the crisis.  Many of us think about how we fit in the crisis and how it is affected us.  But what we need to be thinking is how can we use it to our advantage.  James Flanagan of The New York Times wrote, “In the midst of this global economic crisis a substantial number of entrepreneurs, investors and venture capital financiers are interested in starting a company.” Hmm… lifting your spirits yet?

Although finding money may be difficult, entrepreneurs are digging further and looking for alternatives.  Two former executives out in California just started a Pharmaceutical company in hopes to aid developing country’s fight disease (Cure Pharmaceutical L.L.C.).  They need about $3 million and will be putting some of their own money in it, but also looking for funding through grants.  They have contacted the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in hopes for help.

Another California based company, Big Stage Entertainment is only two years old and has been able to get about $11 million in funding.  This company has a great concept.  “At BigStage.com, you can easily create a sophisticated, life-like 3-D model of your face.”  Phil Ressler, the company president, has done a great job finding capital.  He made a great point: “In bad times you have to move forward; you can’t save your way to success.”

Maybe it is possible to start a company during this so called “CRISIS.”

They found money, now it is your turn.  If you can come up with a great idea, you can come up with great ways to find capital.

Read the Full Article in the NY Times

“Entrepreneurism and innovation will be the path to revive our economy,” said Kansas Senate President Steve Morris, a Hugoton Republican.

The Kansas City Star Newspaper explains how entrepreneurs create jobs and wealth in the economy. This article discussed the importance for entrepreneur support and funding.

Some positive reinforcement to entrepreneurs in this struggling economy. Some say it is not the time to start a business, but support is popping up everywhere. We can still thrive.