We recently connected with Megan Kim and have shared our conversation below.

Megan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Growth is exciting, but from what we’ve seen across thousands of conversations with entrepreneurs it’s also dangerous if costs aren’t watched closely – sometimes costs can grow out of control outpacing revenue growth and putting the viability of the entire business at risk. How have you managed to keep costs under control?

Keeping costs under control for my business is something I’m still trying to consistently improve. Like most people, I try my best to keep track of all my manufacturing cost in one clear spreadsheet, while also keeping track of any business expenses that flow through. The trickiest part is trusting yourself with business investments that get larger as the business grows bigger. “You can’t make money without spending money” is a mindset that I’m still trying my best to balance on top of trying to be as frugal as possible. My best advice for those starting out a small business as an independent artist is to not get too caught up on what other folks might be spending on their brand. Things like fancy custom tissue paper, plush toys of their IP, or an extensive line of stationary can all be seen as achievable goals for later rather than something you would invest in outright from the start. Start with small batch, hand-made, or low cost until all the add-ons can be seen in a more affordable window!

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?

My name is Megan Kim, and I am the owner of Megguran Studio LLC. My brand showcases all of my artwork and products I’ve designed! I am mostly known for my artwork posted on instagram and the little egg-fish character that I designed for a lot of my products. I create hand-painted illustrations, 2D animations, risograph prints, plush toys, stationary, hand-made ceramics, and more! Like many other independent artist businesses, I started Megguran Studio by posting on social media and selling on Etsy during the pandemic. Since then, I’ve grown into an LLC and started vending at various trade shows, markets, and also partner with local gift shops around the greater Los Angeles area. I have a degree in Entertainment Design and struggled to find consistent income as a freelance animator, however, I found more joy in building my LLC and working full-time in education.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I studied Entertainment Design for my undergraduate degree and was trained to work in the production pipeline of the animation industry. After finishing my undergraduate program, I didn’t see myself starting or owning my own business, and was more focused to find a job in one of the big three animation companies in Los Angeles area. It was a long time dream to be able to work at one of those companies, but the pandemic caused a lot of disruption in, not just mine, but many other’s trajectory in their career path. During the lockdown, I started posting on youtube, instagram, and also set up an Etsy shop like many others. I truly enjoyed the process! It felt incredibly fulfilling that there were strangers in the world that liked the things I’ve made across all platforms.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Growing a social media audience is something I’m still consistently trying to follow, especially when the algorithm game is always changing. When starting out, it definitely helped to post regularly and consistently! This is something that I still have trouble doing, but for those that do, regular and consistent posting is king. If you have a few extra bucks to spend, sometimes ad tools are helpful in giving that extra boost.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.megguran.com
• Instagram: @megguran
• Youtube: youtube.com/megguran