Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaida Narkon

Hi Jaida , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

Hi, I’m Jaida! I was raised on Cape Cod and now live in the beautiful seaside town of Harwich, MA. After earning an undergraduate degree in Fashion Merchandising and a Master’s degree in Media and Innovation, I returned home in 2018 to start building a brand of my own.

Passionate about fashion, colors, and design, I started by sketching on paper, then transitioned to digital illustrations on an iPad Pro. This journey led to the creation of J.Alexis Designs, where I blend design, decor, and art. My digital illustrations are featured on a variety of products, from wall art and home decor to pattern work.

Over the past two years, I’ve collaborated with several local businesses, selling my items in retail stores and creating custom designs for clothing and marketing materials. My goal is to continue evolving and exploring new creative ideas!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

The start-up phase was definitely one of the most challenging aspects. It’s surprising how much personal money is invested before you fully realize the extent until reviewing your finances at the end of the year. Setting clear budgets is crucial.

Another key challenge is learning to effectively promote yourself across all business channels. Managing this can be overwhelming, but creating a schedule and planning social media posts in advance to shown to be incredibly helpful in my opinion!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I primarily specialize in graphic design, which I do for my day job as well! Working mostly with Illustrator and Procreate on my iPad. From these, I can turn my designs into prints or simplify the files to create laser-cut wall art.

Over the past two years, I’ve become particularly known for my shadow boxes, which feature genuine abalone shell accents. They come in a bunch of different color combinations and styles – These little guys have definitely become best sellers for me!

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?

Look for deals and resource groups in your area, like Facebook groups, marketplace, and local antique shops. When I started, I bought everything brand new for my shows and displays, but I later realized there were probably a dozen people nearby selling exactly what I needed. The key is to be resourceful and check out secondhand options before spending money that could be better invested back into your business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jalexisdesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.alexisdesigns
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/j.alexisdesigns