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

Emma, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

I had gone to a pop up in the end of October and I made my first dollar there. I had pivoted my business from custom pet friendly candles as I was not really in love with the process. I decided to take the risk and put my art out there. I created myself a piece with my art, and solved my own problem. Thing is, you always take a risk putting your art style out into the world. “will anybody like it?” “Is it worth money?” “Could this become a viable business?”

To my humble surprise many flocked to get a custom pet portrait keychain of their furry beloved. As the crowd built around my booth I started to realize this could actually be a viable business and that people also resonate with my art style the way I did. Every time someone chooses my art I am just humbled and so grateful.

Emma, 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?

In early 2024, having spent over four years in the tech industry as a product designer, I found myself facing the reality of a layoff for the second time in 2 years. Realizing shortly after the tech job market was at an all time low, with high competition and companies shrinking their hiring, I knew I had to take fate into my own hands. I had been building Taleology on the side but decided to dive in head first after seeing how gloom and doom the job market was and knew I had to carve out my own path.

I grew up in NYC and my father was an incredible fine artist but never put himself out there. His passing in 2010 inspired me to honor his memory by creating my own art and establishing Taleology. Through Taleology, I am committed to partnering with animal rescue and welfare groups through various means. As a rescue mom of 3, I am a big advocate #adoptdontshop. For me, pets are more than just animals; they are cherished members of our families who bring us immense joy and companionship. I have lived, loved, and worked with animals every since I was a child.

Taleology was born by solving my own need; finding tangible pet portraits I could carry with me everywhere that were not colored. I thought back to the time when I would go to souvenir shops and try to find my name, but never could. I was having the same issue with finding items that looked my dogs or had meaning to me. This is why I built out personalized design keychains and my custom pet portrait line.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have pivoted multiple times in my life from college to trade school after my fathers passing, to pivoting into the Tech field during COVID-19. What I have learned is that life is always adjusting and things are going to happen. Those that will make it through will pivot or adopt. It is scary and I am still unsure to this day as running a business is very hard. Even in your own business you will have to pivot and adjust.

Originally I started Taleology as Woof Wicks, custom pet friendly candle company. After loosing $10k and 6 months of time, I decided to shut that down. I didn’t truly enjoy the process of making candles even though the science was interesting. I made poor business choices thinking they were smart based on the information I could find. Ultimately, I was unhappy in my own business and I knew if I was feeling that way it wasn’t right. You will have ups and downs with your emotions in your business but at the end of the day it needs to feel more fulfilling and happy than a dread. When I decided to finally sit with myself, figure out what I enjoyed doing, I then took that and turned it into Taleology. Ultimately this has lead to success as I am even more passionate about my business, service and product.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

To choose to shop or follow and interact with local and small business. I wish more influencers would reach out to see if a small business would do wholesale for them. You would be surprised how many of us would be willing to! I personally have a wholesale pup-fluncer client and wish more people would be open to that. It is a win-win for a small business and the influencer to work together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.taleology.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tale.ology
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-sadler/

Image Credits

Kristjan Malaj (my partner) and Emma Sadler. (myself)