We were lucky to catch up with Meghan Najewicz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Meghan, appreciate you joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Sometimes I do think about what life was like, pre Covid, when I had a full time graphic design job. Life was a bit easier, and I had more stability. However, when the world shut down I really got a chance to be creative for myself, which was a first. I spent all of college designing around our assignments, and then I got a full time job and designed around what they wanted. There was never a time where I could think about develop designs for my self.

When I started my own business I had the fear that I would have to stop because this is just not something people can do. I always thought I would have to go back to that 9-5 mold. Recently I realized that maybe not everyone fits that mold. Even though it is a great thing, it might not be for me. I am so much more happier now that I own my own business and create things I love. It can be stressful and challenging, but I love it.

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 graphic designer, with a degree from Stevenson University. Pre covid I started working at a small family owned company here in Maryland, I was with them for about 7 years. When covid happened I was furloughed in March 202 and then laid off in June 2020. I also had some experience with freelance designing on the side, and a little bit of hand lettering for a few years. While in quarantine I spent a lot of time drawing and lettering on my iPad. I was drawing enough designs that I decided to start selling them on Redbubble, and people actually bought my work. By July 2020 I found a good sticker supplier and started selling my own products in my new Etsy shop. When I started selling on Etsy, thats when I realized I could be doing it full time.

Once 2021 came, I signed up to be part of the second Makers of Maryland Pop Up Shop in White Marsh. From then on I have produced over 100 different products. Currently I am still selling at Makers of Maryland, but my product is now in other stores like: Tidal Salt, Locally Crafted, Sand and Silo, Chosen, and Local By Design. I also have several wholesale accounts and I have done freelance work for Charm City Run.

All of my designs are hand drawn or hand lettered by me on my iPad. Then I decide what products would work for each design, or what designs could come together to make a really great pattern.

I am most proud of my hand lettered state flags and all of my pattern designs. I started with the Maryland flag because it is loved here in Maryland, and then I moved on to other states that I have visited or where my family members live. Each flag takes a very long time to research and then hand letter. I love learning about each state!

Patterns are something new I started to get more into this year. I have always loved pattern design, but I never had the time to learn more about it. This year I took a class all about it, so I could create products with more patterns. My first few products I made patterns for were hand towels and wrapping paper. Recently I started creating patterns for my Tervis cups line, and large items such as pillows and athletic shorts. I love being able to wear my own designs!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn that everything doesn’t have to be exactly perfect to be great work. When I started hand lettering and drawing my own designs I never thought they were good enough to put out in the world because they weren’t like what I saw other people doing. As I created more I realized that my designs are different because it’s how I make things. My hand lettering will always be different from other artists because it’s my hand writing, and my designs are going to look like how I draw them and that’s ok.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

When I create things that I love and connect with is when I grow my clientele the most. When I started, I wanted my brand to be about forging connections with people. I feel like when you love what you do it shows and makes people want to connect with your brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thelettersmdn.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelettersmdn
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelettersmdn
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/thelettersmdn