As part of our Season 02 of CulturallyOurs we have guest contributors from around the world who have generously shared their entrepreneurial journey. It is so interesting to read different perspectives and experiences even beyond the guests featured on our CulturallyOurs podcast.
This week we showcase Melissa Noto from Naperville, Illinois.
Thank you so much for contributing a few words on Global Entrepreneurship for CulturallyOurs.
#1 Can you tell us a little bit about who you are and where are you from and what is your business – just to set the stage if you will.
My name is Melissa Noto and I was born in LaGrange, Illinois, I attended art school at The American Academy of Art where I received my Associates in Graphic Design. After graduating I took many different jobs as a graphic designer located within the western suburbs or in downtown Chicago. In 1997 I got married and moved to Darien, Illinois and in 2001 I moved to Bolingbrook, Illinois and had my first baby (boy). During maternity leave I was saddened by the fact that I would have to figure out where I will have my son go to daycare. During this search my husband said if I can get a few jobs while on maternity leave I could start a freelance business. Well! 18 years later, two boys later I know have had my once freelance business turn into thriving business for 18 years now.
#2 What has been your biggest win/ah-ha moment and what has been your biggest challenge?
The biggest ah-ha moment is now after 18 years of having my business and looking at my now (14) and (17) year old boys I realize I did it. I successfully was able to stay at home and raise to boys while still holding a career.
#3 As an entrepreneur we sometime are alone at the helm steering our ship without any help and support – both mentally and physically – have you ever felt that way? And how and where do you find your support system?
When the kids were little all I needed was them to raise and a business to run. But with them now being 14 and 17 I have more time to run my business and more time on my own which has become lonely. I like to partner with other writer, photographers etc. to have someone to discuss the job as well as some networking which I don’t do enough of because sometime that can be exhausting too. There are a lot of different people to weed through before you find the ones that are not trying to sell you but just to be a business friend to grow, learn and share from. Sometimes these networking meet up are too much for me.
#4 What does the business and entrepreneurial landscape look like where you are based?
I feel more and more people are starting out on their own, I feel the competition is so much more now since when I started. I’m lucky to have some of the reoccurring clients that I do. Now when someone asks for referrals for a graphic designer on social media it’s a swarm of people. I reply once in a while and I do get some work from there but in general my work comes from clients I’ve had for years.
#5 Lets talk motivation / mindset / growth / business for a moment, how do you keep yourself motivated and excited about your future? What keeps you going when the going gets tough?
Again like in an above question I really have not worried about this for years but now that I have more time since the kids are grown I really struggle with this. There are many days I want to be in a social job arena (then my friends who are tell me I don’t want to be, sometimes it too much). But when your on your own you do have to find ways to motivate, grow, stay excited about
what your doing as well as think of what you want for your future. I’m in the middle of that right now and I do want to keep doing what I’m doing and I’ve been teaming up – I just joined a group of about 5 to go after a target market and all be a part of the business growth so that will be exciting. As far as the future I’m thinking about products, sales, on-line or brick and mortar stores, who knows, I’m not rushing into anything but I do feel there is something more in my future.
#6 If you could go back in time to when you first started – would you do it all over again? Or would you change something and what would it be?
I love how my business has organically grown to fit my lifestyle and I hope it continues to move forward when I’m ready.
Thank you so much Melissa for taking the time to share your story with us.
{Words by Melissa Noto of Melissa Noto Design Studio, Instagram: @melissanotodesignstudio }
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