Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amy Lee Gonzalez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Amy Lee, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

This is something that has actually been on my mind for about 3 years. I lived in Chicago, I had a very busy lifestyle, and then I moved to Atlanta where I really didn’t know anyone and I didn’t start connecting with people until after a year and a half of being there. This gave me a lot of alone time, something I hadn’t really prioritized while I was in Chicago. “Am I where I should be? Is my business growing in the right direction? Am I happier owning a business?” These questions kept coming up. The truth is everything will ebb and flow. Some days you’ll be happy doing the work, other days it will feel like you’re grinding. When it felt like this vicious cycle wasn’t going to let up, I needed to take some action. I took a few steps back and see if the art I was creating was what I wanted or what others expected of me. After taking a little time to myself I decided to start changing course, and develop my business into something more meaningful to me which is education. I love painting and exploring but what I miss most is talking with people and teaching them how to do both of those things.

Amy Lee, 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 my brand, Amy’s Workshop, with Pet Portraits, and since 2016 it has evolved quite a bit. I now have a website for my art, an Etsy sticker shop, I’ve done murals and markets, and later this year I’ll be putting out courses on painting and proper adventuring as an adult. I have a lot of experience traveling, backpacking, hiking. running long distances, and just loving the outdoors. I have the experience now, but I remember being a novice that really wished I had someone to help guide what the heck I was doing. I remember taking notes on things I wished people had told me before the first time I went on a long hike or went backpacking. It’s scary trying new things. Unfortunately, I think as we get older we become less likely to take a risk on something new unless we have the proper know-how to do them. I just want to help with encouraging more adults to go outside.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When the pandemic hit us all, I went full-time into my artwork, and at first it was magical. I was in Chicago and I knew a lot of people. My art was moving and I even got a few large mural jobs, but then winter was coming and I didn’t want to spend another winter in the cold. So, my partner and I moved to Atlanta. I knew maybe 10 people, and after my holiday orders, things got scary slow. I ended up getting a job at a Running store to make sure the bills were paid, while still building my business in Atlanta now, but it was still fairy early in the pandemic and people weren’t buying as much and I wasn’t really meeting people. It got scary there for a bit because I thought I was losing my business. Fast forward to February 2022, and I started getting into Polymer Clay and Resin and creating coasters. I went so hard into the rebrand but after about 8 months, I fell out of love with it all. Work was still being created, but my heart wasn’t in it anymore. My posts began to fall off and I was afraid of letting people down. But that’s the thing, if people really care about you, they aren’t going to care if you want to change directions. That’s where I am now! Changing directions to make a difference and to feel fulfilled.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Word of mouth will always be the best marketing tool, in my opinion. I’ve has clients come to me seeing one of my paintings at a friends house, or they pass by a mural of mine. It’s a very special feeling when I’ve had no personal interaction with someone yet they have felt so connected with my art. Nothing beats that feeling. I also go to the places where my demographic is and I just hangout and talk with people. Everyone’s demographic is different, but for myself, it’s people that are similar to me and my interests. Markets are also a great place to meet new people in an area and to get your product in front of them to see.

Contact Info:

• Website: amysworkshop.com
• Instagram: @amysworkshop
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-lee-gonzalez-929286140

Image Credits
For the Photo of me in the polka dot tee, Credit is: Stephanie Jensen Photography, Chicago, IL