We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emma Seiz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Emma, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later
If I could go back in time, I would not have started any sooner or later! The path was paved for me given the circumstances of the world at the time. My business and art journey started during the pandemic. I was a college student, at the time, in my senior year, struggling to job search while finishing my BS degree.
In the months following my graduation in May 2020, I was working as a full-time nanny while brushing up on my illustration and art skills in my free time. This is when my business, Green Bean Graphics, truly began. I started by doing various freelance graphic design jobs, teaching myself and learning as I went. I began to develop my own style over time with experimentation and lots and lots of free time!
After a while, I wanted to make physical art – not just digital. That is when I decided to open my Etsy shop! I started with stickers, and now I also make art prints and greeting cards. I even have taken my business on the road and participate in local STL art markets! I have also had the opportunity to sell in local shops. Green Bean Graphics has been my side hustle and creative outlet since COVID began – I hit the ground running over two years ago and never slowed down!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My background/education is in Fashion Merchandising. It wasn’t until senior year that I took a class in Adobe Illustrator that I began to want to learn more about the digital art medium! Green Bean Graphics started as my outlet for creativity, truly.
My work revolves around what inspires me or brings me joy. Some themes you’ll see in my Etsy shop are a vivid color palette and all things groovy! I have always loved collecting stickers – so that is how I decided I wanted to make and sell stickers from the start. This is by far my most popular item and what my shop is known for. I have expanded into making prints and greeting cards over the past year, and it has been such a fun journey!
One of my proudest moments was when the Vans Instagram account shared a design of mine featuring their sneakers. What sets my work apart from others is that I have a bright and consistent groovy style, but I also love to make something for everyone. My art varies from music, to florals, to cats, and even some positive quotes. Whatever your interests – you can find something in my art to relate to!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
An effect way of growing clientele is an oldie but a goodie – word of mouth.
When I first started my business, it was crucial that I spread the word about what I was doing to everyone I knew. How else to do this during a pandemic but through social media. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, even Pinterest! Because I was able to do that, my friends who were posting and supporting me were seen by THEIR friends, and then I soon began hearing from people who would often introduce themselves as “My friend is…and I heard about your work!”
Overall – the combination of social media in today’s world + word of mouth is important for building your brand when it is from the ground up.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Instagram for sure! It’s a platform that people are most comfortable reaching out to people that they don’t know. If anyone is going to have a social media page for their business/art – it should be IG.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.etsy.com/shop/greenbeangraphics
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenbeangraphic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenBeanGraphic
Image Credits
n/a