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

Allie, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I’ve always loved art; painting and drawing have always been a relaxing hobby for me, and during the pandemic, I had a lot of free time to do it. I then ran across different people turning their favorite hobby into something they can share with the world. I got the crazy idea that I could do it too. I never could’ve imagined how scary starting anything like that would be.

Starting a small business- or a business of any kind- always means taking a risk. When I decided to make my art into a business, I was really scared of failure. There were so many times when I would almost talk myself out of it. “What if no one likes what I have to offer?” ” What if this is all a HUGE waste of money?” “What if I mess up?” These were the most prominent thoughts that would come across my mind before I decided to take that leap of faith into something I would’ve never imagined doing.

Looking back, I am so glad I took that initial risk. Buying the program for digital art, the equipment, the materials, the desk, the chair, the shipping supplies, the iPad, applying for a special bank account, a business license, taxes… investments and commitments that I was so terrified of making have been so worth it. All the risks, the failures, the lessons learned, have brought me to where I am today, and for that I am grateful.

Allie, 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?

Hello, my name is Alejandra, but most people know me as Allie. My family and I immigrated from Puebla, Mexico in 2001 and have been in Memphis ever since. I am a proud Dreamer and Daca recipient and I’m working hard to make those dreams come true. In 2021, I took a step of faith and launched my small business Made To Dream Co!

I have always had a love for art, ever since I was a little girl. In 2020, when the world came to a halt and we turned to platforms like TikTok and Instagram for entertainment, I found myself submerged in the small business community. I saw people of all kinds of backgrounds turn their passions into small businesses, so I became inspired.

So, I decided to turn my art into tangible items that people could enjoy. I started doing research into digital art, and the more I learned the more I fell in love with it and decided to start off by turning my art into stickers. However, Made To Dream is much more than just a sticker shop on Etsy. It’s a place where I can express myself about the things I’m passionate about.

From Immigration, Latinx cultural awareness, female empowerment, and faith, my art showcases something anyone can relate to. Made to Dream is Latina-Owned, and proud to be!

Most recently, I’ve expanded from stickers to notepads, glass mugs, art prints, keychains and much more. Want a custom design? Let me know! I have had the privilege to create amazing custom stickers, logos and different art designs for several clients and I would love to continue to provide my platform for others as well.
With all of that, I am very excited for what is to come!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is self-doubt. Growing up, risk-taking (although I took a lot of risks without even noticing) and getting compliments were things I was not comfortable with. I have never been comfortable with change, even if it’s a good type of change. I like continuity and having an idea of what to expect; it’s part of my type A personality. Compliments, especially about my art, tend to make me anxious. So, doing this definitely took all of that and turned it upside down. As an artist, you tend to know exactly where that one flaw or imperfection is in any particular piece. Or you obsess over how to make it “perfect”or “aesthetic”. You worry about others noticing what you know is “wrong” with it, so naturally, when someone says how amazing it is to them, the burning thought in the back of your mind is fixated on that one little thing you don’t like about it. Is it just me? Probably. But learning to breathe and accept and love my art and see it through other’s eyes has been a process that I am still adjusting to.
As far as doubting my abilities as an entrepreneur, I’ve had to learn to quiet those voices and thoughts that say I can’t do it or that it’s too hard. I try to motivate myself by just simply doing it. Making your first Instagram Reel? Start recording. Testing a different product? Buy it and be honest with yourself about how it makes you feel. First time trying a particular craft? Do research on it and reach out to others in your field that are already doing it. Community is SO important!

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I can definitely say that my best source of clients has been social media. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Tik-Tok have become the new “word of mouth”. Being consistent, relatable and most importantly, transparent in whatever platform you choose to use is the best way to reach others. You don’t need thousands of followers to be successful. You need to make meaningful and intentional connections with the ones you do have and you’d be surprised how many people will show up for you and reach out with new opportunities for growth!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MadeToDreamCo?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1153701334
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madetodream.co/
• Other: email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Photos by Lorena Monge