We were lucky to catch up with Kimberly Lavon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kimberly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Thimble Media is on a mission to help artists go from starving and stressed to steady and thriving. I landed here through a lifetime of creative effort that seemed to only reach dead ends.

From the age of 7 my visual art was entered into professional competitions. A few years later I got into music and started playing the alto saxophone at age 11. I picked up cartoon/comic strip illustration at 14 for my high school newspaper, and created hyperreal graphite drawing in tandem. Those building blocks lead me to a tattoo artist apprenticeship at 18. I thought this was the medium I’d stick with forever but quickly found out it wasn’t a good fit. I decided it was time for college. So I earned my undergraduate degree at 24, (A BFA in Fine Art Printmaking and graphic design 2008). Upon graduation I opened my fine art printshop and worked there for years. I loved making the art but the other necessities were a major pain. So I went back to school to earn my Masters in Advertising in Atlanta, GA fall of 2020. Every time I encountered an obstacle I thought it was my lack of knowledge that created the issue. So I never stopped continuing my education in the pursuit of the answers. I ultimately thought that If I did what you’re “supposed to do” (go to college, get a terminal degree, etc.) the effort would give me everything I needed. I was wrong.

At this stage of my career I found a few key things that all creatives deal with which are: 1. Being seen as “order takers” most of the time. 2. Not being taken seriously because they’re creative/ the job is “fun” so why pay for it. 3. They are so used to being directed in school and by patrons they lack an internal compass. 4. They often wrestle with mindset issues and imposter syndrome. These difficulties all perpetuate the “starving artist trope”. The answers to these issues are not taught in school. Additionally, art school students only get one semester/quarter of professional practices education. It’s simply not enough. Every artist needs a better balance of business knowledge and industry specific know how as well. Knowing that they won’t get that information in class, the best way to move forward is with Brand Strategy. I’ve applied it to my business and saw an instant change. I have work life balance now. I don’t stress about competing for sales because I have a target audience to speak to. I know what I’m doing and when and that makes more space in my head for creativity. It’s amazing. That’s why Thimble Media provides Brand Strategy for creatives and why it’s my mission to help the missions of lost creatives everywhere.

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

Ciao! My name is Kimberly Lavon. I am the Creative Director and founder of Thimble Media. I offer creative for creatives. Specifically, Brand Identity, and Strategy. The problems I solve for my clients are: Identifying their target audience, sales funnels, social media planning, messaging, and more. Ask me about my hidden menu items if you book a call! What sets me apart from others is my nickname (Light speed Lavon), my unbridled creativity, and my resourcefulness. What I’m most proud of is finding the solution to beating the starving artist dilemma! A lifetime of work brought me here and I am elated to finally have the solution. The main things I want potential clients/followers to know about me and my business is that I truly care. I know your struggles because they’re mine too. I want to see you succeed! Truly. If you’re working multiple jobs just to support yourself, and your creative career, know there is another way. I can help you at Thimble Media.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Yes, and quite often. Enter pivot one. In 2018 I applied to graduate school to become a master printmaker. I was accepted but the program began its closure upon my arrival to the school. I decided to switch to Advertising because of my love of storytelling. It was an amazing, and exciting experience, but saying goodbye to printmaking unexpectedly was brutal. I engaged in a lot of self care during that time to stay balanced. After graduation covid hit. I was set to graduate at the height of the worst of the pandemic. Yikes. The global upheaval was scary to say the least so I moved back to Michigan to be with family while I sorted it all out. Social distancing cancelling virtually everything, forcing me to find a new way to reach my fine art clients, advertising jobs, etc. The environment was confusing at first but thankfully many of my connections had adapted quickly and shared their success with me. I implemented video calls, made a schedule to connect with heavy hitters, and never stopped creating. My work paid off! When life resumed I had already built a new group of friends, had new business connections, and a new business getting off the ground. I found these obstacles were really opportunities for change. I gained a new mindset, and shed imposter syndrome thoughts. It all worked out for the better and now I feel stronger than ever.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I was fortunate to have been accepted into a small business accelerator shortly before covid ended. I took classes for months remotely, and earned a small grant upon graduation that helped me fund my new endeavor. Thankfully as a remote, bespoke business, I don’t require that much in the way of physical items. It’s mostly software, an amazing computer, and the internet. For needs that reach outside my budget I look to pitch competitions, small business grants, and other types of funding options to support me. I learned about grant funding as a college student. Implementing that strategy felt like the logical next step for funding my new business so I’ve been applying for grants as well. I’ve been working with Mint Maven on this side of things for months. They have been a big help in keeping me on track and up-to-date with everything fundraising. https://mintmaven.co

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thimble.media
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thimble.media
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtvic1XrBdL0e7NU-MqdVLQ

Image Credits
@ovdash @kimberlylavonink @thimble.media