We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Janet Choi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Janet, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

It was a quiet Friday afternoon, the summer sun was coming through the window as I was lazing around with my coworker. We spun around in our chairs slowly. “You should start a brand” they said. I looked over at them, thought for a moment, and replied “Hm. Yeah, I guess so.” It was in that moment I thought about how I might start what is now Something Nice Supply.

My experience in design up to that point was only in the digital realm. It seemed like an interesting challenge to come up with a brand from scratch and figure out how to translate digital design into tangible forms. I gave myself a budget to explore this. $5000. That’s how much I’d be willing to risk losing if nothing ever came of it. I spent the following summer obsessively researching how to things get manufactured, deciding what I would create and sell. I’d work my day job and spend the rest of the night and summer weekends working on this little project.

Since taking that risk, I’ve had the privilege of reaching thousands of people all over the world with my work and have been able to use Something Nice Supply as a platform to try new things, I’ve had opportunities to connect with other artists and inspire others to take a chance to try something new. I have a lot of gratitude for my coworker (who I still work with to this day) for voicing their thought that one fateful Friday afternoon, and for myself for taking that risk.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a self-taught Visual/Communications Designer who is a PowerPoint Presentation Designer by day, and a small business owner by “whenever I have time.”
Something Nice Supply was originally created as a space where I could explore design in tangible and physical forms, I love working with my hands and creating in different mediums. The work that comes out of this includes enamel pins, patches, key tags, small apparel, and anything else I feel worth manifesting into the world.

The theme of my work and products are split between two distinct themes. One is a darker monochromatic mood, and the other is a fun expression of my Chinese heritage. These two distinct themes are separated by the use of color in packaging – black and yellow. I didn’t want to limit myself in what I could create in this space, but it has worked well and the visual style stays consistent between the two.

One important value I had from the beginning is trying my best not to create more trash in the world (particularly in the pursuit of maximizing profits). I only wanted to create things that don’t already exist and that I wish existed. At the core, it’s been a space for me to explore and have fun. In the process of doing so, I have the privilege other people getting to enjoy my work with me as well.

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

Honestly, probably universal basic income, affordable housing, or affordable spaces. Being able to live and afford the basic necessities of life would allow creatives to focus on their work without the overarching fear of needing to make money to survive. I’d like to believe and hope it would also reduce the amount of trash in the world (the things people create to make a quick buck, AI art, etc.).

On a more feasible scale, choosing to buy gifts from artists/creatives during the holiday season.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The act of simply being able to create something with my own hands is really fulfilling to me. Being an artist/creative allows me to create something special for myself and for others. I think it’s really special when other people (all around the world from all walks of life) can enjoy or really appreciate something that I have made.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.somethingnicesupply.com/
• Instagram: @somethingnicesupply
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/somethingnicesupply

Image Credits
Image of me: @quangfreecs