Last weekend, with the push of my sister and my friends, we put up a booth at the Sask Expo featuring my brand. There was a number of people there that we got to meet and make connections with. Networking! I made a few sales to both friends and to strangers. I know better what to do, how to present, and what I need to grow within myself to fling a better pitch (it begins with believing in yourself). I know that the next event, whichever it may be, will be a better success!

So, why do I feel like such a failure? The mentality of my family has always been that success is equivalent to cash. It’s a mentality that my sister and I have refuted. My sister is much better at it than I. Anytime we walk that path of our hearts, she knows it’s a win. So, I promised myself that sales would not determine the success rate of the weekend. It was our very first event such as this, meaning that there would be much to learn. Though anime and BL are my passion, this may not be the right venue. Still, it was worth trying.

My takeaways from the weekend; people are noticing my efforts in art (particularly shading!). I was approached about web-comics and networking (an avenue I am now exploring). A lot of people took my card. And I have a lot of work to do when it comes to networking and sales. And that is an achievable goal!

Self doubt has me wondering if it isn’t time to give up. AI is taking over so much of our creativity, and how do you fight that? Cost of living is so much that we can’t afford to give financially when we’re already budgeting gas money over groceries.

I know that my sister wants me to continue. The amount of effort she put into all the crafting she did astounds me! Bookmarks and tiles with my artwork and writing. Hanging calendars with the same (so much interest in those). Jewellery that I’m wearing because it makes me so freaking happy. But of all the things that she created, hands down the ones which got me the most were the music boxes!
As a note, these things (minus the music boxes) and along with my art are all for sale. Please reach out to us if you have any questions, would like a commissioned piece, or want any of the articles that we have ready to go.

I’m not ready to give up, no matter what my doubt tries to tell me. We’ll do even better at the next event. I’ll get better at promoting and believing in myself. Whatever the world tosses at us, we are not in this alone.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.
Selina