We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Alicia recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, appreciate you joining us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

The first dollar I made as a creative truly was when I got the idea to sell handmade notebooks made from old CD cover art in 2017. Between my husband and I we had a huge CD collection for probably three to four hundred CD’s in CD books. We just had a bunch of empty CD jewel cases with the CD covers in them. Really they were just in a corner taking up space. I have always had an immense love for music of all kinds and thought maybe it would be cool to share that. In addition, I have always loved journals and notebooks. Being a writer, I thought this would be the perfect way to combine my two passions. Writing and Music. I had previously had an Etsy shop from 2010 until 2013 selling handmade hairbows and when I decided to shut it down as I had become a new mom at the time and I had made only like 5 sales in 3 years. Fast forward to 2016, I had a very active 2 year old son, had been laid off from my job the previous year and wanted to test one of many creative ideas I had. The first handmade notebook I sold was by the groups debut album back in 1990 Bel Biv Devoe. I think I posted the notebook to my Etsy shop and I had a sale less than 2 weeks later! It was a young lady from Chicago, I believe. It felt empowering and exciting! To have someone actually be interested in something I crafted with my own hands and the idea that someone else shares the same interest as you is just always going to be cool for me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a creative entrepreneur and writer with a passion for storytelling, research, and design. I run two Etsy shops. One by the name of Dear Alice Co. where I curate women’s vintage pieces from as far back as the 1940’s and the other shop 99th & Lydia Co. where I create handmade items like stickers and notebooks, while also developing my work as a writer. I’m especially drawn to projects that combine creativity with meaning—whether that’s through blogging, fiction writing, art, or uncovering stories through genealogy research.
I started my Etsy shop Dear Alice Co. about 10 years ago out of a love for vintage items and the excitement of finding pieces with history behind them. Over time, that grew into creating my own products and building a brand around other creative ideas I had.
At the same time, writing has always been a natural outlet for me. As I explored my interests more deeply, I found myself drawn not just to creative writing, but also to research—especially genealogy. That combination of creativity and curiosity really shaped the direction I’m heading in now.
Beyond my shop, I also have a blog where I write from time to time on various topics (nicolealiciawrites.com) and am building work around research and storytelling, including genealogy. My focus is on thoughtful, well-crafted work that feels personal and meaningful.
What I’m most proud of is building something that truly reflects who I am creatively. Every piece I create or curate, and every piece of writing I work on, comes from a genuine place.
I want people to know that my work is intentional. Whether it’s a product in my shop or something I’ve written, there’s care behind it. I’m not just creating for the sake of it—I’m creating things that tell a story, spark inspiration, or connect with someone on a personal level.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the biggest challenges in my journey has been navigating serious health issues while continuing to build my creative work. I went through kidney failure, dialysis, and eventually a transplant, all while still being a mom and wife and trying to grow my business.
There were times when progress felt slow, especially with inconsistent sales and the pressure of creating steady income. I had to step away for brief periods because my energy was not there sometime. But instead of stepping away for good, I learned how to adapt—focusing on what I could do in each season, even if progress was small.
That experience strengthened my resilience, patience, and discipline. It also deepened my connection to my work, reminding me that what I create isn’t just about income, but about purpose and meaning.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a creative is the connection it creates. I love being able to share things that resonate with people who have similar interests, whether that’s through my writing or the items I offer in my shops.
With my vintage shop especially, there’s something really special about helping someone find exactly what they’ve been looking for—sometimes something they didn’t even expect to find. Seeing a positive review or hearing that someone was genuinely excited about their purchase never gets old. It’s a reminder that what I’m creating and curating is actually reaching people in a meaningful way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nicolealiciawrites.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bynicolealicia