We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Blaire Fujimoto a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Blaire , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was leaving my pharmacy career and starting over. I spent 6 years in college to get a doctor of pharmacy degree, 1 year in a pediatric pharmacy residency program, and then 6 years working at a pediatric hospital. My job at the hospital was demanding physically, mentally, and emotionally. Being a pharmacist required a lot of critical thinking, decision making, and multitasking. There was always something to do, something to fix, or something to learn about. I prided myself in being a hard-working and reliable employee, often picking up overtime and overextending myself at the expense of my own wellbeing. In addition to the demands of my job, I had an irregular schedule and frequently long commutes that made it hard for me to have any hobbies outside of work.

One year into working at the hospital, I developed a chronic headache condition. I spent years bouncing from doctor to doctor, desperate to find a cure or at least a quick fix. I relied on caffeine to keep me alert and on my breaks would pop painkillers in the locker room. My constant headache would often be aggravated by stress from my job or lack of sleep. I somehow managed to push through and work an additional 5 years like this. By then I was burnt out and exhausted. I found myself dozing off in the car and collapsing on my bed once I got home. My body had had enough. I ended up taking a 6 month medical leave that turned into a year, and eventually quit once I realized I could no longer sustain the work life I once had. Leaving it behind after investing over a decade of my life getting there was the single, hardest decision I’ve ever made and one I didn’t take lightly. I was devastated and thought my life was over.

To cope with the grief and uncertainty of my future, I began to explore my creative side. I took art classes, crafted, baked, decorated my home, and attempted to take styled photos of it all with my smartphone. I even found myself planning and decorating handcrafted parties for friends. All of this gave me a sense of purpose and joy. It wasn’t until I joined a local networking group of creative entrepreneurs and attended my first craft conference, that I even considered starting my own business. Seeing my new friends succeed at and love their creative jobs was so inspiring. With their support and encouragement, I started Freshly Fuji as an Instagram account that eventually turned into a website filled with cute and colorful DIYs, home decor ideas, and lifestyle content.

Looking back, I see how taking that big risk has truly changed my life. Over the years I’ve developed so many new skills that have only built upon each other. My ability to design, craft, style, take photos, and create videos have led to some amazing opportunities and connections! In addition to the content I create for my blog, I’ve designed and styled photo shoots, collaborated with major brands, and taught at conferences and virtual events. I feel so proud that I had the courage to create a new beginning and transform my life. Most importantly, I get to prioritize my wellbeing and spend more time with my husband and two dogs. I still have so many big dreams for my business and life, but know they’re only possible if I give myself permission to take the first step.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m an artist and crafty dog mom living in Dublin, California. I am Japanese American and grew up in Hawai’i so my work is often influenced by my heritage and upbringing. I would describe my style as cute and colorful! I have a craft blog where I share craft tutorials, home decor inspiration, and lifestyle content. You’ll find all kinds of fun projects there including Cricut crafts, DIY dog costumes, holiday decorations and party ideas.

I started an Instagram account about 4 and a half years ago as a passion project and it slowly grew into a website/blog and creative business. This happened after I left my 6 year long career as a pediatric pharmacist. I was burnt out from the stress of my job and struggling with my overall health (I have chronic headaches and fatigue). To cope with the heaviness, I began crafting and trying to photograph my creations. Being creative gave me a sense of purpose and allowed me to access joy! Now it’s my mission to help others realize that creativity is self care too and that they can create their own joy, no matter their life circumstances.

With a diverse skill set I’ve nurtured over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in a number of different creative endeavors. Aside from sharing projects on my blog, I occasionally design and style photoshoots, collaborate with other brands, and teach workshops. I’m always open to new opportunities that excite me and have the potential for growth. What sets me apart is my fresh aesthetic, attention to detail, and ability to dissect and interpret themes. It’s my hope that the work I create feels fun and makes you smile!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I’m under the impression that many non-creatives don’t understand the scope of running a creative business, especially as a solopreneur. They might see one of my Instagram posts and go “hey, that’s cute” or “wow, all she does is have fun” and not appreciate everything that goes on behind the scenes. I do a lot of detailed craft tutorials on my blog, so that often includes researching, planning, shopping, designing, making, styling, photographing, filming, editing, writing copy, designing Pinterest graphics etc. Whew, it’s a lot! The whole thing is a process and the final photo is only a small part of the story!

Since my business model is a little different from other craft businesses, I’ve been asked why I’m not selling handmade products, vending at craft fairs, or teaching workshops all the time. For me, I’ve realized that I enjoy designing, but not necessarily mass producing and shipping items. I’ve also had to take into account which activities are feasible with the space I have and consider my energy levels. From my perspective as a solo business owner with chronic illness, it’s important to recognize which activities and income streams suit your lifestyle and goals AND bring you joy. Just because others are doing things a certain way, doesn’t mean it’s right for you. It’s okay to find your own way and redefine your version of success!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part about being an artist is the creative process itself. I love the feeling of dreaming up a creative concept and bringing it to life! Going from a vague idea in my head, to a sketch, to an actual tangible thing feels really special to me. I especially love it when I overcome new challenges and get to collaborate with like-minded people. The cherry on top is when others think what I’ve made is amazing and actually say so!     

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.freshlyfuji.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshlyfuji/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshlyfuji
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/freshlyfuji
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/freshlyfuji/

Image Credits
C0ral Paper Backdrop – Photo by Janea Greene Colorful Family Costumes – Photo by Sarah Eichstedt Photography Pixar Up Dog Party – Photo by Simple Joie Photography “Retro Ring” (pink phone and paper flowers) – Photo by Sarah Eichstedt Photography Valentine’s Day – Photo by Janea Greene All other photos were by me!