{Quit Your Day Job, featuring Lisa Leonard}

Editors note:
It has been 8 months since I quit my day job to work on Gussy Sews full time — and to help celebrate the anniversary of this little dream of mine, I’ve put together a {Quit Your Day Job} mini-series.

Coming up: more stories of encouragement, inspiration and how-to to get you through Friday.

Bio:

Thanks so much for inviting me to share on Gussy! I’m Lisa and I own a jewelry business called Lisa Leonard Designs. I started the business when my boys were very small, because I wanted to have more flexibility with my schedule. Before I made the leap into making jewelry as my main job, I was a teacher working with special needs kiddos. I live on the central coast of California with my sweet husband and our two boys (ages 7 and 8).

My days are full of legos, emails, chocolate chip pancakes, piano-playing and jewelry designing!

The Interview:

1. What were some ways you prepared to become a handmade biz owner {your day-to-day schedule, financially, emotionally, etc.}?
I had some wonderful jobs when I was younger that prepared me for being a business owner. I didn’t know it at the time, but waiting tables is an excellent way to brush up on your people skills {and deal with the infrequent unhappy customer!} I also served frozen yogurt and after college I was a wedding coordinator.

My husband is very supportive and business-minded which has been crucial for the success of Lisa Leonard Designs. Also, I didn’t make the leap into small business until we were financially stable enough to take the risk.

2. Share with us a positive “ah-hah” moment from this process.
So many ah-hah moments! Being creative is a process of constant growth and change. One of my biggest ah-hah moments was realizing I could create what I wanted. I could be different and I could be ME. Sheesh, I had to be ME in order to really be successful!

3. What was the time frame from when you decided you were going to quit to when you actually put in your notice/took some serious steps toward becoming self-employed?
It’s so hard to leave a good job. I loved my supervisor and didn’t want to disappoint her by leaving, but we had to do what was best for our family. And she was so understanding! My husband and I sat down and crunched numbers and realized we could make it work, even if I didn’t have much of an income for a bit. The next week, I gave my two-week notice.

4. What was your first day like as a handmade biz owner? Describe your feelings, were you really excited? Did it seem soooo weird to be home/self-employed? Share this moment with us.
For me, it was a gradual shift. Also, my days were full of two little boys — so I had plenty to do and not a lot of time to reflect. But I remember being so relieved I could focus on jewelry and the boys and not feel spread thin by other responsibilities.

5. Do you write out a “schedule” for each day? How do you divide and organize your time?
I don’t have a super rigid schedule, but I make a to-do list every day. I take the boys to school and pick them up, and that adds a lot of structure to my day. While they are at school, I am in the workshop and running errands. I tackle email throughout the day.

6. What is a current challenge are you facing, and how do you plan to overcome it?
Hmm, one big decision I’m making right now is where to put our advertising dollars. It’s a new year and I want to assess what worked and what didn’t work last year. This will involve looking at data and also just going with my gut-feeling.

7. What are three tips you can to pass along to someone that’s ready to make the leap? :]
*Be smart financially, make sure you can pay your bills and have a little cushion in case sales don’t go as expected.
*Hire people to do the things you don’t like doing. The first person I hired to help with my business was a bookkeeper. Because I just can’t stand crunching numbers. {But I still look at weekly reports!}
*Make sure you are doing something you love and something that reflects who you are!

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