Pursuing a Creative Career: Things to Think About Before Quitting Your Job

Lots of creative types want to quit their jobs to pursue their passion full time. Easier said than done! Often, mortgage payments and corporate health benefits conspire to keep us in our cubicles. But, there is hope!

We recently met Tiffany Profet, someone who has managed to make the transition.

She left her job in technology management to strike out on her own and pursue her passion for website and jewelry design. We asked Tiffany to share some advice about how she came to her decision, what safety nets she put in place, and the pros and cons of her new life.

Meylah: Tiffany, can you tell us about your background?

Tiffany: I've been working in the technology field for over 15 years, starting from Technical and Audio/Visual Support to my last job in Technology Management for a large national law firm.  I was a jewelry designer long before I married my tech and creative genes together, and started my Etsy experience in early 2007 with Masselyn – vintage jewelry design.  Later that year, I started designing websites for other friends who were also creatively inclined and in January 2008 I officially opened up my own graphic and website shop on Etsy.

That was when I went "professional," juggling my management position and working nights/weekends/days off on my own business.  It was tough, many long hours, and often days where I got 2 hours of sleep before having to drive an hour to my day job.  In Summer '09, I decided that I had a strong client base, much of my work coming in was referrals from satisfied clients, and it was time for me to go out on my own.  July 29th was my last day working in management, and I have been supporting myself with by Masselyn :: Graphic & Website Design Studio ever since.

I still design jewelry, and designed by own jewelry website, Peripherie, in addition to trying to start up something with my mother in designing watches.  I never stop creating. (See one of Tiffany's rings below).

Meylah: You mentioned the transition period, where you had to keep your full-time job, and build your creative business on top of it. Do you think that this is a necessary step for most people who want to leave their day jobs?

Tiffany: I think this is an important step to make sure you prepare and don't "leap" before looking.  I wanted to make sure that I could make a living from offering these services to small businesses, and it was important for me to prove myself before I left the security of a regular paycheck, benefits and more.  So, for me, it was a two-step process:  Verify that I could survive on the income from my own business, and prove that this was exactly what I wanted to do – so I would not find myself 6 months down the line looking for another management position.

Meylah: When you were deciding to leave your job, did you put any safety nets in place in case things didn't/don't work out? Can you make any practical suggestions for those thinking of leaving their day jobs?

Tiffany: I did make sure I had a financial cushion, but I was clear about not taking out any loans to create it. I did not want the burden of having to pay something back. So, when I bought a lot of computer equipment, software, etc. during the year before I left my job, I paid cash. When I started working for myself, I wanted to be as clear of any debt as possible. It is not always easy to do this, and I am lucky that my business is service-based (without overhead), but if you can handle things this way, it makes it so much easier and less stressful.

I have also been a firm believer in not burning bridges. I get together and chat with my previous co-workers all the time. We became friends, and it was important for me to retain that since I would be spending so much time alone working from home. I find I do need "real" people interaction sometimes.

Please make sure to check on health care for yourself and family. This was very important for me since I had been used to being completely covered, and now I had to find health insurance on my own. I ended up with the same plan and benefits that I had at my previous job, but make sure to do your homework. Getting an insurance broker to assist you can help you weed through the jargon – which gets very confusing at times.

Meylah: You are both a jewelry and a website designer; which are you most passionate about? Is the website design business mostly to help maintain the jewelry business, or are both equally important to you?

Tiffany: I am most passionate about my web design (See one of Tiffany's designs above from her Etsy graphics shop). I have always worked in technology because it is comfortable and exciting for me. Tech toys rule my life, so as long as I can work on my Mac I am happiest. Jewelry design often gives me an escape from stressful design projects or life in general.  I love creating new things with my hands, but give me a computer mouse and I grin the whole way. Right now the design business (see another example below) also is more successful, another reason why I put more of my time into it. It grows every month, and I want it to continue to do so.

Meylah: Now that you're working for yourself, would you say you work "normal" hours (40 to 50 per week), and have a fairly routine work life, or is it up and down?

Tiffany: The first month was horrible. I honestly was working the same amount of hours that I did with two jobs. My mom, who is also my best friend, had to sit me down and tell me that I had to set limits or I was going to burn out. Create actual office hours, and try to stick to them. It was hard, because I was so used to reading emails and writing back at odd hours. Now I do have office hours – and I am on a more normal schedule, but the nice thing is that I can work whenever I want. If I sleep late, it's OK cause it just means I might have to work past 6 p.m., but I love that flexibility.

So, is my schedule routine? Nope. I work all kinds of hours, but I try my best never to work more than 7-8 in one day. Depending on my mood, that might be getting up at 6 a.m. (which I usually do anyway) and stopping at 6 p.m. But there are about 2-3 hours in between for lunch, snacks, errands and the dog/cat pair that I share my life with. I also might work weekends, to keep projects on schedule, but these are "me" times and I dictate when they happen.

Meylah: What do you like most about having gone out on your own, and what do you like least?

Tiffany: I love the time flexibility, and being able to work on what I love (websites, design and my Mac computers).  I am a true techie, so this is all harmony to me.  I also love the relationships. I have met some wonderful people, all over the world, and made lasting friendships through my work over the years.

I don't like the paperwork. Ugh. Tax time is coming up, and I am going to dread having to go through everything and make sense of it. I am notoriously horrible about being organized when it comes to that, but I have always gotten it together. And I know 2010 is not going to be different.

Meylah: Do you have one overall suggestion or word of advice for those thinking of quitting their jobs or simply starting their own creative business?

Tiffany: Do what you love. I know everyone says that, but you really have to feel it. Don't create just because you think it is what everyone else is going to like, because you have lost the essence of handmade. You have to love what you create, and it shows through your work. If a project does not feel right to me, I honestly will pass on it. I have to be invested 100 per cent in all my projects.

Main image courtesy of Shutterstock.com