We recently connected with Krishna Patel and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Krishna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Going from my career as an Instructional Design Manager during the day to managing my Etsy shop at night keeps me in a constant learning mode.

A decade ago, I started teaching myself instructional design when the profession wasn’t as well-known as it is today. My motivation was to simplify complicated topics to make them easier for learners. To achieve that, I dug into books, podcasts, and opportunities to improve my skills. I’m the type who never gives up when I set my sights on something. Teaching myself in this field not only helped me excel but also led me to discover my passion for creating maps, something that came naturally to me and brought me immense joy. Starting and running an Etsy shop, while managing a small business, has been a challenging learning experience.

When I think about the essential skills for this journey, patience and taking things one step at a time come to mind. There’s no finish line when it comes to happiness, so it’s important to approach learning a skill gradually. One piece of advice that has stuck with me is that if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. This highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with people who can teach you something new and help you grow.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. Time is a big obstacle. In a world that moves faster than our brains can sometimes handle, there’s this pressure to be the best at everything all at once. My advice would be not to let that get to you and to take things at your own pace. Learning is a journey without a fixed endpoint, so enjoy the process.

Krishna , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

At The Map Collective Co, I create digital and personalized maps.

I am passionate about creating beautiful and meaningful wall prints that are tailored to your personal style. Every home should have a special piece of art that tells a story, and we are dedicated to helping you create that story. Our maps and coordinate wall prints are designed with simplicity in mind, making them versatile and easy to incorporate into any space. I put my heart and soul into every piece we make and it shows in the final product. We are committed to creating something truly special for each and every customer.

I believe that maps can be anything you want them to be – a reflection of your travels, a celebration of a special moment, or a source of inspiration. With a dash of curiosity and a lot of love, I hope to create maps that bring comfort and joy to your life.

At the moment, I produce digital products that can be conveniently printed at home or at a local print shop. We have observed that our customers value the cost-effectiveness of these alternatives. In fact, I personally print some of my maps at a nearby print shop and proudly display them in my home. While I aspire to introduce physical products in the future, for now, I am keeping my fingers crossed and focusing on my current offerings.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

The funny thing is that the idea to start an Etsy shop selling digital maps actually happened somewhat by accident. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a deep love for travel and the memories it leaves behind. I would often daydream about creating a warm and cozy home filled with treasured mementos of my adventures. And for me, a map was more than just a navigational tool; it was a source of comfort that could bring to life all the wonderful experiences and ideas I held dear.

But in late 2022, my life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder that left me feeling anxious and stressed. My love for travel became a thing of the past, or so I thought. Through the treatments and multiple doctor appointments, I got back my love for travel by drawing maps. It was a difficult time, but through the treatments and multiple doctor appointments, I discovered a new way to channel my love for travel: drawing maps.

Creating digital maps turned out to be more than just fulfilling – it was therapeutic. I found that when I was immersed in this work, I was able to let go of my worries and anxieties and focus on just being present. The repetitive and detailed nature of the process was almost meditative, and I could channel my nervous energy into something productive and beautiful. Before I knew it, my passion for creating digital maps had turned into a small Etsy shop.

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

One of the most gratifying aspects of my work is witnessing the joy of my clients. They frequently share the stories behind their desire for a map. These stories range from giving a map as a gift to an exchange student to framing it in a baby’s room. Listening to these narratives fills me with immense happiness and pride, knowing that I play a role in enriching their personal journeys.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://themapcollectiveco.etsy.com
• Instagram: @themapcollectiveco