We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Wesley Bales . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Wesley below.

Wesley , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

One day, while hanging out at my friend’s place, who happens to be an animator, he introduced me to this cool AI program called Midjourney. It’s this useful tool that crafts images based on user descriptions. Initially, I wasn’t quite sure how to turn it into a money-making venture, but then I found my niche in digitizing dog images. I kicked things off on Redbubble, using a combo of Illustrator and Photoshop for that extra creative touch with typography and photo editing, all powered by the magic of AI.

My dog art unexpectedly caught the attention of a French Bulldog breeder in LA. Given my soft spot for Frenchies, she asked me to handle her online storefront and that’s when FrenchBulldogFineArt.com was born. We’re diving into the e-commerce world, focusing on creating and selling prints.

Now, the trickiest part so far has been navigating the maze of shipping methods and costs. Honestly, as a designer, that’s not exactly the most thrilling aspect. I keep reminding myself that it’s all part of the journey, and the right attitude makes it all worth it. There are ups and downs, big steps and small steps, but the key is to just keep moving in the right direction.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I got into design after getting turned down for LMU’s Animation program due to a lack of animation in my portfolio. This setback led me to explore entrepreneurship, realizing the value of diverse income sources. My love for dogs, especially my french bulldog Reuben, fueled my design work, eventually shaping French Bulldog Fine Art. Besides creating digital dog art, I’ve helped startups with logo design and branding.

What makes me stand out is my ability to generate creative concepts quickly, honed through years of doodling and client projects. Now, every morning, my brand and its connection with my audience give me a reason to get out of bed.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Initially, my business went by the name Big Splash Design. I picked a generic name to keep my options open in case I shifted away from dog artwork. I invested in business cards and websites. Then, my friend reached out, and I decided to rebrand to French Bulldog Fine Art, starting from scratch. The plan is to circle back to Big Splash Design eventually, but for now, it’s on hold.

Sometimes, you spend money on things that don’t immediately pay off. It’s part of the journey, filled with highs and lows. Stick to your vision, and you’ll find your way. It can be a blast if you embrace the ride.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’m in the midst of shifting gears from helping YouTube creators build their brand to becoming the creative force myself. It’s quite a ride, having experience both behind the scenes and in the spotlight. Even back when I was signing creators, I had to keep my own creativity in focus to provide valuable assistance. Watching numerous YouTube creators come up with fantastic ideas has sparked even more inspiration for my own creative process. It’s all about blending my insights from the industry with newfound sparks of creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wbales.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big.splash.official/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbales/
• Other: https://frenchbulldogfineart.com/