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

Hi Esperanza, thanks for joining us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

I was raised by my mother as her only child. While my father provided some assistance, it was primarily her support and encouragement that enabled me to pursue my passions. Throughout middle and high school, I took many art classes, and my mother always pushed me to excel and achieve great things in my art. She never dismissed my dreams or made me feel that a career in art was unattainable. Instead, she encouraged me to research and dream big. Thanks to her unwavering support, I was able to attend school to become a graphic artist.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

During COVID-19, I started exploring my passion for skulls, transforming them into everyday objects, fruits, sports themes, and even creations from my imagination. Initially, I used a Cricut machine with vinyl and a heat press to bring my designs to life. As I learned more about print-on-demand services and embroidery, I expanded my methods of designing.

My children have always been essential to my creative process. I often design based on what they like and their interests, all while incorporating my signature skull motifs. They provide valuable feedback, letting me know what they like and dislike. I’ve created stickers, T-shirts, blankets, and various accessories for toddlers, youth, and adults.

I simply love designing, and sharing my art with the world brings me immense joy. It’s still amazing to see someone wearing my designs. My children are my biggest advocates; I design for them as much as I design for myself. They are the heart of my creative journey.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

I created my own website to sell my merchandise, and it was incredibly fun to design and launch it myself. Seeing people buy my designs has been a surreal experience. I also started an Instagram account where I share the link to my website in my bio, and I try to post images and stories regularly to engage with my audience.

There are several pros to having my own website. First, I get to design it myself, which gives me complete creative control. Additionally, I’m learning about business, a skill I hadn’t anticipated needing as a designer. Understanding the business side of things has been fascinating and has helped me grow beyond my comfort zone. Many designers, including myself, tend to stay quiet, but this venture has encouraged me to branch out and connect with others.

Balancing my roles as a mother, employee, and small business owner can be challenging, but my love for design keeps me going. I design because it brings me joy, not just as a job. If people want to buy my designs, it makes me incredibly happy. I aim to continue improving and growing as a designer while enjoying the creative process.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I first started my design business, I used money that I earned from my job to create my initial designs. Once I got a customer who wanted a design on a T-shirt, I would create and send it myself. There was a time when I received many orders, and managing everything alone became overwhelming. That’s when I ventured into print-on-demand services, which allowed me to keep up with demand and maintain quality.
The funds I earned from these sales helped me create my website, build my brand, and establish a platform to continue my creative journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.muchnesskids.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muchnesskids?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits

Customers who have shared photos with me to share on my Instagram. Thank you all.