We recently connected with Jacqueline Fieck and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jacqueline thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I’m happy to be out on my own doing my own thing, but there are moments I wonder if having an income regularly flooding in would be a better route to go. I know many business owners who feel the same way in their first years. In a couple more years, you will probably hear me say “I’m so glad I never gave up.” For now, I push through the moments of struggle to ensure the things I know people need to see and hear are still shared.

Being an Christian artist and author is difficult, especially when trying to find the right people to support your “niche.” I put out a new book just about every month. Recently, I took on a part time job to help myself financially. Unfortunately, the job took away from my creative time to write and product art. I fell behind on all my deadlines, for both my art business where I teach art classes as well as the time utilized to write compelling romances. I left said job after failing to meet five deadlines. I decided working for someone else’s company was not an option for me. I don’t want to promote someone else’s success, although I appreciate their efforts. I chose to focus instead on what I could do in my company to grow my following and inspire others to read a book, take an art class, or learn how to write and self publish. It’s been a rough journey, but I’m finally starting to see the results I desire.

I have an upcoming Christmas in July Giveaway through Smashwords, which will allow readers to get a copy of any of my books for FREE! In September, I plan to attend the Chicago Printer’s Row Lit Fest to display my books to the masses. My focus has shifted from my art business to books, because that are is moving more at the moment. I have one art class on Teachable, called Drawing 101, and will be creating more when I can. All these little wins are helping me to feel secure in my decision to rely on God and invest in myself and the business given to me.

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

I had a rough upbringing with lots of trauma and every form of abuse experienced by the age of 15. Through the pain of my past I write and teach to encourage others to keep going and chase their dreams. I fully believe God stepped into my life at the age of 12 to stop me from committing suicide. I’m here for a reason, and so are you! I live to inspire others with my stories, the real and fictional ones. Each story has a storyline about trauma healing. It’s my therapy next to creating art.

I have been painting and creating art for many years. It was my creative beginning to relieve my stress and process my emotions. I feel we all need some outlet to help us overcome in our lives. We have a choice to be bitter or get better. I chose to get better, and better myself. I have a gift for seeing the potential of people around me. That gift inspires me to voice encouragement to others, regardless of who they are or where they are in their lives. We all are struggling and hurting. I’m different from others because I choose to support others instead of focus on getting money from them. I care more about my readers, fellow authors, and artists more than whether or not they are purchasing the latest book I wrote. The growth within me and those around me is amazing. Quality trumps quantity any day.

Uplifting Depictions is designed to uplift people while they develop the creative gifts within them. My books are used to inspire. Everything I do is for people to be better. I want to be a cheerleader for everyone to compel them to go further and grow. I have so many more business ideas and ventures I will be taking on in the future. This is just my beginning.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

To be honest, I had nothing and still don’t have the “capital” needed. But sometimes, you have to start with what you have. Getting an idea out shouldn’t cost a ton of money. Take writing a book for example. The first book I wrote, I thought I needed a publisher to help me. I was wrong! That publisher didn’t do the best job, and they dropped by because the books I started writing weren’t “Christian” enough because I said my main character has flings to fill the hole in his heart. I decided to go out on my own with my ideas untampered. I started self publishing and fell in love with the freedom I found. You can write, edit, create book covers, and self publish for FREE! If you want to be successful, you need a social media presence and marketing skills. But I have seen some self published authors do better then traditionally published authors.

With my art business, I was making art already. So I started doing lives or recording videos of my teaching for classes. You don’t need a ton of money to start a business. Many people make a passive income with electronic files. I encourage everyone to research the business idea they want to go after. What’s happening in that industry right now? How can you do better? How can you meet the needs of the people? ETC. It’s more about the idea and who you are as a person, then the money sitting in your bank account. A start is better than sitting on the couch doing nothing and complaining about life and “what could be.”

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

It took me one year to gain 1000 followers on Tik Tok because I don’t follow the normal rules of dance a stupid dance to a trending audio. I’ve quickly learned its more about reaching the needs of people to grow. Since making videos of encouraging words and biblical teachings, I’ve grown to 1300 followers. On Twitter I have a great relationship with the writing community and other people I share interests with. I’ve grown to a little over 4000 followers. My Instagram is lacking, but I’m working on it. It’s not easy. I will tell you the truth! It’s NOT easy. The tips and tricks the Youtube videos by major influencers and growth coaches aren’t always realistic or reasonable. Each account is different depending on your niche.

I don’t want to post stupid dances with trending sounds I don’t enjoy. I want people to come to my page to feel included and loved. Make content based on the niche you are in. Meet the needs of people. I can’t stress this enough! You are creating a product or service to meet the needs of people, so why not make content to line up with that? If you are a mechanic or handyman, start making self help videos to show people how to fix something. If you are great at writing, teach people how to write, or give tips for what they can do better. If you are an artist, start making art! Once you hit 1000 followers, step out to do lives! I go live every Friday at noon to read from my books. I also enjoy going live Sundays at 10AM, Tuesdays at 9PM, and Wednesdays at 3PM Central. Now, you don’t need to get crazy, but make a schedule and content to fit your life. What works for one doesn’t always work for all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/jacquelinefieck/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinefieck/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackiescheckin
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JacquelineFieck