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

Sabrina, appreciate you joining us today. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?

Asking friends and family to support your business can be a delicate balancing act. I tend to reach out only to those closest to me—my parents, siblings, and close friends—when I need help. Their support often involves pitching in during crunch times, modeling my clothing, offering a place to stay when I’m out of town, or assisting with my booth at events. I’m incredibly fortunate and grateful that they’re happy to help, but I’m also mindful not to ask too often. When I do, I make sure to cover all their related expenses. As for my extended family, I don’t usually ask for their help, but I’m always touched by their kindness when they choose to support my business by making purchases. I’m truly thankful for the generosity and encouragement from those around me, which allows my business to thrive.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Sabrina Martinez, the proud owner of Mr-Quacker’s Artistry. My business is all about creating delightfully cutesy and fun products that bring joy to people’s lives. From sketchbooks and stationery to stickers, apparel, and more, my designs are made to make you smile. One of the most rewarding experiences is attending events and seeing people proudly wearing my designs or hearing them share how much they love my work—it never gets old!

I started Mr-Quacker’s Artistry ten years ago, selling my creations at local anime conventions in Arizona. Since then, I’ve expanded my offerings and ventured into new events and states. I wear a duck themed outfit each time so everyone has started to know me as “The Ducky Lady”. While my art business is my passion, it’s also my side hustle. I work full-time as a Marketing Manager, which provides me with a stable income and the flexibility to grow my business at my own pace. This balance allows me to take risks without the pressure of relying solely on my art for financial support.

I love that my art business isn’t my main job—it means I get to keep the joy and creativity alive without the added stress of making it my sole source of income. For me, the fun of creating and sharing my art is what makes it all worthwhile, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

I’ve diversified my business income through several different avenues. First, I run an online shop where I sell my products, and I also participate in trade shows throughout the year, which allows me to connect directly with my customers. Additionally, I consign my products through Kei Collective, an incredible alternative fashion store in Phoenix, AZ, that is run by artists for artists. I absolutely love working with the owners and being part of a community filled with amazing, creative talent.

Beyond my own business, I also handle the social media accounts for a local nonprofit that trains service animals for Veterans called Dogs 4 Vets. It’s a cause close to my heart, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such meaningful work. On the side, I take on freelance projects, whether it’s illustration, website design, or marketing work. Every bit of income from these different streams helps, and together, they allow me to keep doing what I love.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

It’s a funny story. While visiting the Deer Farm by the Grand Canyon, I noticed that the gift shop was discarding a broken toy display. Something about it caught my eye, so I asked if I could take it off their hands, and they agreed. The display sat in my home for a while as I mulled over what I could possibly do with it. Then inspiration struck! I decided to fix it up, repaint it to match my brand, and turn it into an interactive game.

I named it “It’s Your Ducky Day.” For $5, people can play the game by spinning a gacha to receive a ball with a random number between 1 and 24. The customer goes to the duck with the matching number to find a letter between A and D to determine their prize. The A prizes are the most coveted—a personal commission drawn by me. B prizes include a selection of my sticker and button designs. The C prizes feature a zodiac print with a matching button. Then D prizes are adorable dressed-up duck plushies.

When I debuted the game in 2022, I had no idea what to expect, but it was an instant hit! People absolutely loved it, and it quickly became my best seller. I’ve continued to update the prizes to keep it fresh, but “It’s Your Ducky Day” remains everyone’s favorite game at events. Looking back, I’m so glad I saw the potential in that broken display and decided to pick it up. It’s a perfect example of how a little creativity can turn something discarded into something amazing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mr-quackersartistry.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_quackers_artistry/