Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sami Nowlin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sami, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
When 2020 and the pandemic hit, I was mentally in one of the worst places of my life. While I was fortunate to keep my job, I had a massive pay cut and suddenly several more jobs added to my plate from other employees being let go. Although, I did love my job and was challenged in many ways, it was beginning to take a toll on my mental health. I stuck around through the pandemic for another year, but I was craving something else in my life.
I started making random crafts around the house to keep myself sane. I always loved being creative— I’m a musician, I love doing any arts & crafts, building, etc. I really had no plan, other than to keep my anxiety and depression at bay and maybe make a little extra cash on the side. I started making macrame, then got into polymer clay— just doing anything I could get my hands on to keep me busy. Once I had a solid collection of things I wanted to start selling items. I listed a few things on Etsy, applied for an LLC, got some branding, and applied for my first market.
I got into a small market for local artists and brought everything I had to sell. I worked in event planning for 7 years, so I knew the in’s and out’s of being a vendor and what to expect. It ended up being way more successful than I had planned. I had hoped to make my fee back for the event, but didn’t have any expectations past that. I made my fee back plus a couple hundred dollars. I went home, immediately applied for another market, and started working on more things.
I continued working my full time job and then would go to markets on weekends. After a few months and a lot of research I decided to purchase a laser printer to take my business to the next level. I loved creating, making, and designing. After discovering what a laser printer was, I knew it was what I wanted to do next. I was able to take everything I was making to the next level, do custom orders, and get into designing my own things from scratch.
After the printer arrived I dived into figuring it out and started cranking out things as fast as I could make them. I created my own website and started selling online, at markets, and took custom orders. About two months later I made the decision to leave my full time job. I dove into growing my business and taking on freelance clients for events & marketing. I had absolutely no plan. I didn’t know how I was going to pay my bills or how things were going to go with my business, but I knew I had to get out of the toxic work environment I was in.
I took a huge bet on myself, but I knew what I was capable of— I knew that I could do it. It hasn’t been easy, and it was the scariest thing I’ve ever done, but I haven’t regretted it a single day since. Now I own two businesses, Muddy Lotus, where I get to create and design in so many different ways, and Revivement Marketing, an agency that I co-founded with one of my best friends offering digital marketing services.
Sami, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I started playing violin when I was nine and was involved in every type of musical activity I could possibly be a part of while growing up. Multiple orchestras, private lessons, choir, theatre— if there was a musical activity at school I was a part of it. When it was time to apply to colleges there was nothing I could imagine studying other than music. I considered doing performance, but ultimately chose to study Electronic Media & Entrepreneurship. I wanted to study audio production specifically, but after getting into my degree I really loved all aspects that I got to study. From audio & video production, filming, editing, digital design— I loved it all. I also loved studying business in general and learning how to run my own business. I had no idea what type of business I wanted to start and run, but I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur.
I took every internship I could while in college. I interned at media companies and concert venues to get as much knowledge and experience as possible because I knew the industry was competitive. After I graduated I interned with Bonnaroo Music Festival working with their non-profit vendors. I ended up returning to work for them the following year as an assistant, and then another two years after that managing the non-profit vendors and Planet Roo. It was 5 years that I will never forget and really what got me into the event industry.
I worked random gigs in between the festival. Working other festivals, part time jobs, and freelancing. Eventually I got a job as an Event & Marketing Director working with local companies all across Cincinnati to host events all around the city. While it was a great opportunity for growth working in events, I also learned a lot about designing ads, marketing materials, etc.
When I started creating items for Muddy Lotus I loved being to physically create with my hands and make tangible items. But I also loved connecting with other businesses and designing for others. Working for myself finally allowed me to make my dreams come true and work in multiple different creative fields.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I struggle with anxiety and depression. Growing up music was my creative outlet and helped me through some challenging times with my anxiety and depression. It’s what has pushed me to to keep fighting for what I believe in and what makes me happy. I’ve always known that I wasn’t meant for a 9-5 job and that I would have an unconventional career— it’s just this feeling that has always existed in me, I can’t quite describe it.
I never really viewed myself as a creative person, even thought I was in just about every aspect of my life. But when 2020 hit and I had horrible depression, my business and the things that I got to create are what really pulled me out of it. Being able to leave a really toxic work environment and create a life that I love was truly transformational. Being a small business owner and artist is exhausting and incredibly challenging, but it’s also the most joyous thing I’ve ever experienced.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Go to your local markets, talk with the people in your community, participate in local activities, and be kind!
If you are able to support your local artists by financially supporting them, do it! Choose a small local artist/company for your new coffee mug or bar of soap instead of going to the big corporate stores. By doing that, you are helping the small businesses like me pay my bills and put food on my table. Some months can be really challenging as an artist/small businesses owner. Your purchase truly makes our day, shoot sometimes our entire month. You are bringing so much joy to that person by supporting them. Plus it has the benefit of being more unique and one of a kind!
Although supporting small businesses and artists by purchasing theirs goods and services is always great, sometimes supporting financially isn’t a possibility and that’s totally ok! There are so many other ways to support. Take a business card and purchase at a later date or give to a friend that might enjoy them, share their profile on your social media, comment on a post and cheer them on with supportive words, suggest us to a friend or family member, talk to them at a local market, reach out with opportunities to collaborate.
There are so many fun ways to support small businesses and artists and the best part is that we love it all!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.muddylotuslifestyle.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muddylotuslifestyle/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saminowlin/
Image Credits
Sami Nowlin (all photos)