We were lucky to catch up with Noeko recently and have shared our conversation below.

Noeko, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think folks should manage their own social media or hire a professional? What do you do?

I manage all of my social media accounts myself. This is almost an entire full time job in itself but I have found that by creating a schedule and routine I am able to keep up with posting and being active with my audience. Staying consistent is the most important but most difficult part.

Noeko, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am from a very small town in Nebraska and I always felt like the odd one out. I didn’t know anyone that worked for themselves or anyone that had any kind of artistic career outside of teaching so it always felt like an impossibility to me. I spent a lot of time studying, researching, and seeking out information to follow my dreams and even though I went to college and received a Bachelor’s degree, it was what I learned on my own that built the foundations for both of my businesses. Today, I own a custom clothing company and also tattoo full time and I am so glad that I listened to myself and found a way to make art my career. It’s so important to me to reach out to others who may be doubtful of themselves and support them in following their dreams in the same way I did. If you’re willing to put in the work and believe in yourself above anything, you can achieve all that you set your mind to.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

My clothing company started out in the spare room of my one bedroom apartment. I was working as a graphic designer full time and felt like I could really make something bigger out of the clothing I was making for myself. I started putting together what I would need to create a business and figuring out how to go about getting started. I worked 8-5 every M-F and would come home and eat and take a nap for a couple hours and then work on my business until 2-3 in the morning and then do it all over again. I kept up this routine for about 8 months and finally got to a place where my side business was making me more money than my full time job and that’s when I decided to go full time with it. It was one of the most terrifying moments of my life but it really set me up to believe in myself in future situations where I would have to make tough decisions.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I cannot express enough how much it matters to be consistent and to be genuine. When running a business of course we need to make sales and grow, but if you lose sight of your reason and purpose for why you began in the first place, your audience will see right through that. I post the things that I love and that bring me joy, and if other people find joy in those things as well, those people will keep coming back. The more people feel connected to you and involved in your process, the more likely they will be to follow your journey and support you for the long haul. People like to feel like they are a part of something.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.etsy.com/shop/ShreddedDreams
• Instagram: instagram.com/shredded_dreams_

Image Credits
Black Card Films