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

Jennifer, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

The first dollar generated from my work wasn’t actually a dollar for my own gain, but was definitely a special moment I’ll always remember and think of fondly.

My 9-5 job at the time had a special internal fund for fellow coworkers going through a tough time. Every year there was a campaign with all sorts of fun events to raise money for this fund. This particular year, they decided to do something totally different, and host a silent auction art show. Now, at that point in time, I’d only ever made little greeting cards for my coworkers, family, and friends – I’d never really displayed any of my art just on its own. This was the time to go for it!

I submitted three pieces to the art show event. I started the bid as low as I could – right around $5 I think it was. I had zero expectation of any interest in my pieces. Later in the day, I remember going down to the event, and saw that people had actually bid on my pieces. I got such the warm and fuzzies that someone was willing to give money for one of my prints! One of the three got as high as $75 – all the way from that initial low start!

It felt so awesome to be able to help contribute to a great cause while also realizing people might pay money for my illustrations. That was probably the moment making jwadeDESIGNS into a side hustle became an actual thought in my mind.

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

Growing up, I always enjoyed drawing. As I got older, when there were days that deserved a greeting card – like a birthday, Christmas, Mother’s Day, etc – I realized that I just couldn’t stand the greeting card mush out there. Why bother buying a card from the store with nauseating text when I could just draw and create the perfect one myself? I personally loved branding my creations, and used my maiden name to create my scrappy WalterMart labeled cards.

As I entered high school and joined the Beta Club, I had the opportunity to participate in a volunteer activity around creating and delivering cards to the local hospital. I saw the pure joy and appreciation it brought those receiving our cards. It was then that I realized the true impact a custom creation can bring, and I began to put more emphasis in my WalterMart cards.

Fast-forward many years – I’m of course now a Wade, hence the re-brand to jwadeDESIGNS. Same desire to bring that custom love, but much more advanced and mature in the illustrating. While I still can’t pass up a custom card for my friends and family, I’ve also begun to do more custom creations for clients – mainly custom pet-themed creations. I’ve also taken some stabs at other custom work, such as custom coloring books for another local Atlanta business, fun multiplication cards for a local teacher, and a custom children’s book based on a cute song sung by an old coworker’s daughter.

I know how nice and personal something custom can feel, and I love bringing that feeling to someone’s gift. I also just love all things fluffy and cute and bright, so even for my non-custom prints – if it brings a smile to your face, I’ve done my job.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

As mentioned earlier, I love triggering smiles and bringing a brightness to people. As I’ve developed and grown jwadeDESIGNS, while I’d obviously love to actually make my illustrations into something more profitable, I’ve found that as long as I’m making people happy with my creations, that’s really the most important element. That moment in which you received a jwadeDESIGNS creation – did it make you experience a moment of warmth and appreciation? Then I’ve done my job.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Very similar to the last question, for me – it’s the bringing someone a moment of joy. Provoking a smile with an illustration of a corgi butt? Yes, please.

It can be a bummer waiting for someone to purchase a print at a local festival, but even just a booth visitor stopping for a minute to appreciate and smile at my illustrations is such an amazing feeling. Did I want some dough? Of course. But watching that warmth and appreciation as my prints are perused works too.

Maybe one day I can sell cute prints to doctor offices or vets. How nice to know that when someone isn’t feeling well, there’s a cute image there waiting for them to hopefully cause a little light and brightness to their day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jwadedesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jwadedesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jwadedesigns
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-wade/

Image Credits
Ryan Wade