The Next Chapter | Quitting My Day Job | Jenna Sue Design
02. Jan, 2012 
23 Comments
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Today was the last day I’ll ever work as an employee. And I want to share my story.
Three years ago, I graduated college with six figures in student loan debt and a wake-up call that maybe I had made the wrong choice. I wasn’t doing what I loved. I was in an office all day, generating thoughtless “art” for rude clients and making next to nothing. If this was what I had worked so hard through college for, the next forty years were going to be rough.
After two years of getting nowhere, I jumped at the chance to move across the country and start over. Maybe I’d find my dream job in Florida… maybe I could finally enjoy those eight hours of my day.
I was fortunate enough to find a job right away, but this town isn’t exactly an artist’s haven. I had no choice, so I stuck it out. Outside of work, I focused on what I really loved—art and design. While we were living in a hotel waiting to find our new home, I sat at the computer every night, creating the art I would fill my future walls with. And I loved every minute of it.
As my collection grew, I became inspired by others who had become successful at selling their own designs and thought “Wow… I wish I could do that. Must be nice.” But as time went on, I had to stop and ask myself Why not? What was holding me back? Sure, it seemed like an unreachable dream and I had no idea where to start, but I’d been on this earth for 25 years with no real accomplishments, and I wanted more for myself. It was time to make my own destiny.
I spent hours, weeks, months creating my art, building my brand, researching logistics, getting my finances in order. This was going to be a real business, and that’s exactly how I treated it.
My preparation paid off—the very first day I opened on Etsy I sold 5 prints. I was over the moon… jumping up and down, thinking “Oh my God, what do I do now!?” I quickly figured it out and fell into a nice routine. This isn’t to say that I was busy all of the time—there were plenty of days where I would go without a single sale. But those bad days did more for me than the good days, because they gave me motivation. The frustration and helplessness of a slow day caused me to create more, learn more, make my business even better. If I ever felt comfortable with where I was at, that would be settling—and that word is not in my vocabulary.
Utensil Set of 3 Art Prints / Choose your Colors / 8x10
Sales slowly picked up over the weeks and months, and I felt hopeful for the future. Maybe there was a light at the end of the tunnel and I could actually do this for the rest of my life. Everything was falling into place. Then, we unexpectedly received some bad news, and I had even more motivation to bring in sales. I was also promoted to a manager at my day job, which meant we would be able to pull through on just my income until Brad was able to secure a steady job.
While I was taking on more responsibility at work, I opened up a second shop on Etsy. My sales practically doubled overnight. This wasn’t just for fun anymore, it was becoming a full-time job. I found myself stressing over my business during the day while at work, and glued to the computer all night until I had to force myself to stop and go to sleep. I’d wake up early every morning and work on whatever I could before repeating the cycle. I didn’t mind it for a while… after all, I chose to do this. So I sucked it up and continued on, but I knew in the back of my mind that I couldn’t do this forever. Brad’s reassurance was “Sure, as soon as I find a stable job, you can quit your day job.” I held out hope that it would happen, and it never did. I knew the west elm catalog was about to be released, and I was scared for the holiday season. I was slowly breaking down.
On the way home from work one day I had a nervous breakdown. I called my mom, sobbing, and she urged me to just quit my job already. I told her I couldn’t because Brad wasn’t comfortable with it. Etsy isn’t a “real job”, he would say, “there’s no guarantee.” I understood his nervousness with neither of us having a guaranteed bi-weekly paycheck to count on, but I tried desperately to convince him that this was more than a job, it was a career, and failure was not an option. We agreed (sort of) that I would give it until the end of the year and put my notice in at work.
Fast forward to October. The west elm feature had been released, I had booked two craft shows in December, and I was freaking out. I hadn’t slept well all week, my eyes were permanently blood shot, and I was mentally drained. Brad was out having fun with his friend Thursday night, while I was stuck home yet again, on my 15th hour straight in front of the computer that day. Annoyed and feeling resentful, I sent him a text message, blaming him for my misery. He jokingly replied with “Just quit your job then, I don’t care” I called his bluff and wrote “Okay, I’m quitting tomorrow then.” When he replied with a “fine, do it” something clicked inside me. Right then and there I decided, whether he was joking or not, I was going to quit the next day. I had made up my mind. Enough was enough.
I have learned a lot from this experience. Life doesn’t require eight hour workdays at the office. If that is not what makes you happy, you don’t have to do it. You will never get those hours back. Every minute we have on this earth is a gift, so why spend your days wishing they would be over? It’s no way to live. I believe you need to be able to look forward to the future and have hope in order to be truly happy, and you need to be happy to be the best person you can be.
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No, I can’t predict the future. I’m not saying my life will be rainbows and unicorns from here on out. There will always be good days and bad days, but you celebrate the good and learn from the bad. You will work harder for yourself than for anyone else, so learn to let go and trust yourself. If you really, truly want it, you’ll find a way. Of course it’s going to take effort, and often times lots of it. But working towards your own goals is always easier than working towards someone else’s… and of course, so much more rewarding when you finally get there.
Not only am I able to do something I love now, but I will become a better wife, daughter, friend, person because of it. I’ll finally have the time to cook a meal, go for a walk in the middle of the day, play with my kitty, take a bath, learn to play piano again. These are small luxuries but they make all the difference. And just knowing I can finally do them again is what makes me truly happy. I am hopeful for the future because I’ve proven to myself that I’m the one in control. Now, I don’t just wish… I make it happen.
I’m about to close a 26 year chapter of my life and begin a new one. And this time it’s going to be good… because now, I’m the one writing it.
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Thank you for your personal story. Your words really got me. I want to do exactly the same for some time now, but I lack confidence and courage. I hope, I will find them soon, too.
Good for you, Jenna Sue. It takes a lot of courage to walk away from a paycheque. I love your work, and I really needed to read your story today. Here’s to a fabulous 2012!
Well done! Wishing you every success and lots of happiness!
Fabulously inspirational! Go for the gold
Wishing you continued success 
Anna Pereira
Lovely story-good luck to you!
I adore those maps! Go for it Jenna Sue. I wish you lots of luck!
Beautiful story! I’ve heard so many inspiring stories of people who opened Etsy store and they had sales results very first day! my store is open for 20 days already and I didn’t have any sales, so I feel kind of demotivated.
Such a heartfelt story that hits home. One thing I think of on those “bad days” is that it can only get better from here. Best of luck and success to you and congrats on quiting that day job!
When I read your story, I understood right away that I am not alone. There are so many parallels with what you went through and what I did as well.
I wish you all the best and a happy and profitable new year!
David
I’m curious why you opened a second etsy shop. Was the product different? Was it for more exposure? Can you explain that a little more?
Thanks! and thanks for your inspiring story! I don’t have a day job and it’s been tough. I’ve been making art dolls and sell a few on etsy, but I’m really motivated to make a business of my photography – which is why I’m here!
Thanks for the help!
Thank you all for your kind words!
Helen-
I opened the second shop for a couple reasons… the maps were their own entity and selling so well, that I wanted to separate them from the other prints and make them stand out more.
I used to have listings for only a few cities, and inside the description I would write “these other cities also available…” but no one would ever know I had those cities by searching. So I decided I need to give each city its own listing. Once I decided that, I knew I had to open a second shop just for them. Now I have over 200 cities (and still only 70 listings in my regular shop) so it was the best business decision I’ve ever made.
If something is selling well, I always suggest investing your energy into developing it further, expanding on it, and seeing how far you can take it.
I am much older than you and wished I had chosen to quit my job much, much earlier and do something that fulfilled my life. I’m so happy that your new “job” will bring you more joy and a sense of accomplishment.
Life is way too short to be miserable. I look forward to reading about your great successes!
This is very inspiring – but also, thank you for being so honest about how stressful things became before that turning point.
Thank you so much for your story. I plan on quitting my job at the end of the month. My husband is a stay at home dad. He is very supportive of me and my dreams. He believes in me more than I believe in myself. I wish you lots of luck. Keep us up todate on how things are going.
I have been so stressed over my work for almost a week now (actually for the last 6 years) when I came upon your story through a tutorial I was following on Pinterest, I saw your story. Call it providence but reading your story made me realize that it’s time for me to pursue my dreams! God bless you for sharing and I pray to have the same courage to finally fulfill my lifelong dreams
Love your story and congrats to you!! I hope to follow the same path very soon! Your story really makes me feel like its an option for me!
Very well written & engaging. I enjoyed reading it! I love your words of encouragement!!!
I would love to hear more on how you are running your business. in your home? shipping methods, workspace organization, time spent working & such. Thank You for sharing!
What a great story! Do you also wholesale your prints to gift shops? I left my day job last year to pursue my own business. I couldn’t be happier in my studio, making magnets which I wholesale to gift shops around the country.
All the best to you for continued success!
Fredda at The Magnificent Magnet
Very honest & touching words of an artist’s journey. Thank you for sharing your advice, challenges and personal story. Wishing you all the best
Deborah
Young Swan Designs
Wow very inspirational! I am not liking my day job right now, working in the office 8 hrs a day and not being able to enjoy the little luxuries you mentioned. I am also thinking of moving into a career that involves creativity since this is what gets me excited and motivated each day. We are about the same age and we even have the same name! I just had a bad day yesterday and I am really glad to have read this. Makes me look forward the year ahead! Cheers!
I love when I recognize work I’ve seen and then read the story behind the work. I immediately knew your maps and appreciate you sharing your story with such honesty.
If you don’t mind, how did you start selling so quickly? Did you buy ads right away? Join circles, get in treasuries? Or were you just found by happy accidents?
I am constantly motivated by sellers and want to learn as much as I can to join your ranks.
Congrats on the big leap! Good luck with everything! Thank you for sharing!
Jennifer
What’s My Future
Wow! I love your story! You are so brave and Free
I know what you mean..My eyes are also bloody all the time because of lack of sleep.
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Hope everything goes great for you
Thank you for sharing
Dont sell your self short.Always follow your heart. Dream come to those who go after them. Always move ahead and dont look back. Above all always treat your self to some time off,you will think better and be more happier doing so.Keep up the good work….