We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vivian Du. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vivian below.

Alright, Vivian thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I am definitely the happiest I have ever been in my life, career-wise! Being able to do what I do now, which is draw and make money off of it, was something that I had never thought I would do. Like never in my wildest dreams, did I think that I would call being an artist/creative my job. Drawing and making cute stickers, keychains, and merchandise out of my art is really healing my inner child and that is something I will always strive to do.

In my first year of being an artist and entrepreneur, I did go back to a regular job. It was during a time where I felt like my small business was really unreliable and I needed some income, so I went back to a tech job. It was okay to be honest and I really thought I was going to be there for awhile, until I got laid off. Then I basically had to make my small business work. And in a way, this was a good thing. I was able to give 100% of my attention to my small business and helping it grow. Now, I look back and I’m glad I got laid off and I definitely wouldn’t go back to a regular corporate job. Being my own boss is tough at times, but so worthwhile. I know as artists/creatives we pretty much work 24/7, but the work that I do now, just feels much more fulfilling. It brings me joy and excitement and it has become my passion! I have the amazing ability to physically and emotionally make people feel happy whenever they see my art. That is something I will never get at a regular job and I am so grateful for this opportunity!

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?

Let’s start from the beginning. My name is Vivian and I am the creator of a cute, little gift shop called Homie SF. Homie SF was an idea that I tossed around to close friends in November of 2021. After debating and debating, I officially joined my first event as Homie SF in January 2022. Funnily enough, I didn’t sell all the stickers, keychains, and products you see on my website now. I used to be a soap maker and that was the only thing I sold whenever I was at in-person events. My main inspiration for soap making came from watching one of my favorite Korean lifestyle YouTuber. She made these cute little gummy bear soaps and from there I fell down into a rabbit hole. I was watching hundreds of YouTube videos on how to make soap and doing different research on types of soap making methods. My very first batch of soap was obviously not the cutest, but they were usable and that was what made me instantly fall in love with making soaps!

Fast forward from soap making, I eventually moved on to just selling my art and focusing on that. This new phase of Homie SF is what you see now if you look at my website and Instagram. Homie SF became a unique brand that offers stationary and lifestyle products inspired by childhood memories and different cultures we’ve experienced growing up. Our carefully curated selection of products includes playful stickers, trendy pins, and more! Each of our products designed with care and attention to detail, and we’re passionate about bringing a touch of creativity, nostalgia, and inspiration into your everyday life!

Everyday of my life since starting Homie SF has been better and better, and I am so proud of what I’ve done and created with my partner, Earl. It’s so crazy to me that I started all of this to escape from reality and now, I am able to live in a reality where everything I am creating, is to not only make myself and others happy, but it’s to make my younger self happy too. I didn’t know that I was healing my inner child at first, but now I want all my homies, new fans, and potential clients to look at Homie SF as something that would heal your inner child too.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My first time having to pivot in my life was in my career. I was laid off and I had to make a huge pivot to working for myself full time. It was a scary time because of all the unknowns, but I had friends and family who believed in me, so I became fully committed to making my small business work! I’m so glad I made that choice to focus 100% on my business and that is why I think I was able to grow and scale so quickly.

The second time that I had to pivot, happened in my small business. I originally sold handmade soaps in the beginning of January 2022 and sometime in the middle of 2022, I had to make the decision to stop selling soaps. The cost of supplies was being increased and I was having trouble finding supplies, so I couldn’t justify raising my prices to accommodate for the difference. I was also expanding into selling my art and it was really taking off, so I knew I was going to stretch myself thin if I tried to focus on two different things. In the end, my choice to stop selling soaps made my life so much easier and I’m glad I made that pivot for myself and my business.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to bring a smile to people’s faces. Lots of people have bad days and if one of my silly little drawings can make them smile and brighten their day, then it is so worth it. I can’t tell you the amount of joy and gratitude I feel when people genuinely love my art and decide that they love it so much, that they have to buy it. Not only are they supporting my dream, they are also supporting my life and helping me build a community of people around my small business. This community of homies have decided they wanted to be in my life and wanted to show me support in ways, I could only dream of.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.homiesf.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/homie.sf

Image Credits
Steven Trinh