Ep. 10: Finding Clarity: Sandra Mejia on Narrowing Your Creative Focus

Update: 2024-09-17

Description

Today, Stacie sits down with Sandra Mejia, a Colombian-born, Canadian-based illustrator and pattern designer. Sandra shares her incredible journey of leaving a corporate career, pursuing her creative passions, and learning important lessons along the way. They discuss the challenges artists face when starting a business, the importance of focusing on one thing before expanding, and how artists can regain focus after trying to do too much. Sandra’s story is a testament to the power of taking risks, listening to your body, and building a sustainable business without burning out.

Today on Art + Audience:

Sandra’s Journey from Corporate to Creative: Sandra describes how she left her stable job in Colombia to pursue art, selling everything she owned and moving to Argentina to find her creative path.
The Danger of Doing Too Much: Sandra shares how she started her business by creating too many products at once, which led to exhaustion and a lack of focus. Stacie relates, emphasizing how starting small with one product is often more effective.
Finding Focus After a Creative Leap: After moving to Canada, Sandra learned the value of narrowing her focus. She discusses how limiting her product offerings and honing her skills led to more success.
The Importance of Strategy Over “Hope Marketing”: Stacie and Sandra both agree that hope marketing—creating products and hoping they sell without a clear strategy—can be a trap for new artists. Instead, they advise focusing on one signature product or service and building from there.
When to Shift and Pivot: Sandra talks about learning when to let go of products that aren’t selling and redirect energy toward what works, rather than stubbornly sticking with a failing approach.