We were lucky to catch up with Diane Pascual recently and have shared our conversation below.

Diane, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk about innovation. What’s the most innovative thing you’ve done in your career?

Thank you for your question, and I appreciate the opportunity to share my journey with you.

Reflecting on my career, one of the most innovative ventures I embarked upon was in 2016 when I ventured into the realm of digital product creation. It all began with the humble idea of crafting digital tie-dye Photoshop brush sets. These sets were envisioned not just as tools for fellow creatives but as pathways to infuse artistry into digital backgrounds and designs for various products. Little did I know that this leap of faith would evolve into a thriving collection of over 10 Photoshop and Procreate brush sets, becoming a consistent source of passive income.

What inspired me to embark on this path wasn’t just the allure of entrepreneurship, but the profound desire to live life on my own terms. After over a decade as a Design/Illustration Contractor, I realized that the freedom to shape my own destiny was an invaluable asset. The notion of creating something that not only sustained my passion but also afforded me autonomy was truly liberating.

However, this transition wasn’t merely about seizing an opportunity; it was a response to a deeper need. Creative burnout had started to gnaw at me while juggling the demands of freelance design work in 2015. It was during this period that fate intervened, in the form of a conversation with a close friend who had ventured into the realm of digital marketplaces like Creative Market. Witnessing her shop’s rapid growth sparked a revelation within me – the potential to forge a new path lay before me.

Thus, my journey into digital product creation was born out of a confluence of necessity, creativity, and the courage to embrace the unknown. It taught me the invaluable lesson that innovation isn’t always about grandiose ideas but often about recognizing opportunities in unexpected places. Through this experience, I’ve not only cultivated a thriving business but also discovered a profound sense of fulfillment in charting my own course.

In essence, my story is a testament to the transformative power of seizing opportunities, pursuing passions, and daring to redefine what’s possible. It underscores the beauty of embracing change and the boundless potential that lies within each of us to create our own paths.

Thank you for allowing me to share this part of my journey with you.

Diane, 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?

Greetings to all who are discovering The Gypsy Goddess for the first time,

I am Diane Pascual, a San Diego native whose creative journey has been shaped by the vibrant surf and skate culture of the late 90s. As the founder of The Gypsy Goddess, I am on a mission to encapsulate the essence of creative freedom and infuse the spirit of the 70s into contemporary artistry.

My artistic journey began as a freelance designer, where I had the privilege to collaborate with renowned companies like Skechers, Hasbro Studios, Salesforce, and WME Agency on remarkable projects. Despite these successes, I found myself yearning for the joy of creating my own work amidst the demands of the freelance world.

In 2016, a serendipitous discovery led me into the realm of digital tie-dye patterns in Photoshop, reigniting my passion for art. Thus, The Gypsy Goddess was born, dedicated to crafting bold and colorful digital patterns and tie-dye motifs that pay homage to retro aesthetics with a modern twist.

What sets The Gypsy Goddess apart is my commitment to empowering fellow creatives through digital design tools, particularly Photoshop Brushes, designed to expedite and enhance their creative processes. My captivating artworks, infused with dreamy patterns and tie-dye motifs, reflect my signature style and resonate with a diverse audience.

Over the years, The Gypsy Goddess has gained significant recognition on platforms like Creative Market, Dribbble, and Red Bubble with features in site showcases and email newsletters, expanding our reach and customer base. Inspired by customer feedback, I continuously innovate and diversify my digital product offerings to meet evolving needs.

My dedication to excellence has not gone unnoticed, as I’ve been privileged to license my patterns and artwork to esteemed brands like Shein and collaborate with industry giants like Adobe, creating exclusive sets of Shibori Tie-Dye Photoshop Brushes for Adobe Discover.

But beyond accolades and partnerships, what truly drives this brand is the sense of community fostered through my YouTube channel, where I share weekly tutorial videos and connect with aspiring artists, providing them with invaluable insights and support.

What I am most proud of is not just the success of The Gypsy Goddess, but the journey it represents – a journey of perseverance, passion, and unwavering commitment to creative expression. I invite you to join us on this journey, where every creation is an ode to freedom, a celebration of art, and an exploration of boundless possibilities.

Thank you for considering The Gypsy Goddess as a partner in your creative endeavors.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Funding my business, The Gypsy Goddess, has been a journey marked by resilience, determination, and the necessity to balance multiple responsibilities. As a single mother, I’ve always prioritized providing for my child while pursuing my passion for art and design. This meant supplementing my income by taking on a full-time job as a recruiter for the past five years.

Despite the demands of my full-time job, I dedicated every spare moment to nurturing and growing my business, whether it was after work hours, on weekends, or during pockets of free time. This commitment allowed me to lay the foundation for The Gypsy Goddess, even when it wasn’t a full-time endeavor.

In 2018, recognizing the unpredictability of the freelance design market, I made a bold decision to transition into creative recruiting, viewing it as a more stable career path. However, unforeseen challenges arose when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, resulting in a layoff that reignited my focus on my entrepreneurial aspirations.

For the next year, from 2020 to 2021, I dedicated myself wholeheartedly to building The Gypsy Goddess, seizing the opportunity to fully immerse myself in my creative pursuits. However, the rollercoaster of the job market led me back to recruiting in mid-2021, only to face another layoff in May 2023, highlighting the volatility of the industry due to the rise of AI technology.

Throughout these transitions, I’ve learned the importance of adaptability and resilience. Each setback has reinforced my belief in the potential of my own business and the necessity of pursuing my passion on my own terms. While the journey has been fraught with challenges, it has also been a testament to my unwavering determination to carve out a path that aligns with my creative vision.

In terms of funding, my initial capital came from the steady income I earned as a recruiter, which provided the financial stability necessary to invest in the early stages of The Gypsy Goddess. While the journey has been far from easy, it has instilled in me a deep sense of purpose and the resolve to overcome any obstacle in pursuit of my dreams.

In addition to my journey of balancing a full-time job with nurturing The Gypsy Goddess, I’ve also ventured into the realm of education by creating courses tailored for fellow artists and designers. One such course, “Advanced Photoshop Techniques for Surface Designers and Illustrators,” is a testament to my commitment to empowering others in their creative endeavors.

This course, recently launched and accessible through this link, is designed to equip surface designers and illustrators with advanced skills and techniques in Photoshop. Drawing from my years of experience as an artist and designer, I’ve curated a comprehensive curriculum aimed at enhancing participants’ digital artistry and expanding their creative capabilities.

Through this initiative, I not only share my expertise but also foster a sense of community and mentorship among aspiring artists. It’s an exciting new chapter for The Gypsy Goddess, as we continue to evolve beyond digital products into the realm of education, empowering others to unleash their full creative potential.

As I navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and pursue my passion, I’m thrilled to embark on this journey of education, further enriching the creative landscape and empowering individuals to thrive in their artistic pursuits.

Link: https://thegypsygoddessllc.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1165932/?action=signup

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

Yes, The Gypsy Goddess is structured to encompass multiple streams of income, each contributing to its overall success and sustainability.

One primary revenue stream stems from our digital products, which include a diverse range of offerings such as Photoshop brushes and digital templates. These products cater to the needs of fellow creatives seeking innovative tools to enhance their designs, thereby generating consistent income through digital marketplaces and our own platform.

Another significant revenue stream arises from licensing our patterns and artwork to esteemed brands. This involves collaborating with companies to incorporate our unique designs into their products, thereby establishing additional sources of revenue while expanding our brand presence and recognition.

Furthermore, our venture into education has unlocked yet another revenue stream. By creating courses tailored for other creative entrepreneurs, artists, and designers, we not only share our expertise but also generate income through course sales and enrollment fees. This supplementary stream not only diversifies our revenue but also allows us to empower and support fellow creatives in their journey.

These multiple streams of income provide resilience and stability to The Gypsy Goddess, ensuring that we can weather market fluctuations and continue to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of creative entrepreneurship. Through strategic diversification and a commitment to innovation, we remain steadfast in our mission to inspire, empower, and create.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thegypsygoddess.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thegypsygoddess/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegypsygoddess
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianepascual/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/_dianepascual
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/dianepascual_thegypsygoddess

Image Credits
Model photos on SHEIN website: https://us.shein.com/designer/6021 Other artwork by Diane Pascual