It's Ok To Not Want To

Last week's post about giving yourself some time away from the chaos and putting things in perspective was inspired by my personal state of feeling overwhelmed by the list of things I want to have done and general lack of motivation to do them. A couple days in Tahoe with no computer and no phone weren't enough for the motivation to kick back in. In fact I came back with a mild tension headache that hasn't left me for 5 days now.

The oddest part about my current state is that I'm not lacking inspiration. We've got some amazing projects underway and I'm getting new ideas about them all the time. I've got two new clients I'm working with and I keep seeing the light bulbs go off when we meet. I even started listening the audio version of Made To Stick by Chip and Dan Heath and my own light bulbs are sparking up all over the place. The thing is my brain is in overdrive, but I just can't seem to act on any of the inspiration. I feel unfocused and totally lacking in energy.

I'm not writing this post because I suddenly found the cure the blasé feeling, I'm writing to remind you that we all feel it. It's part of the cycle of creativity and a part of being a creative business owner. However what I will tell you is the advice I would give any of my clients... It's ok, it will pass.

When you feel any of the feelings I mentioned above or others, no motivation, no inspiration, lack of focus, or even anxious overwhelm, listen to you body. Sit with the feeling and let your mind tell you what it needs. You may want to stare into space letting all the thoughts swirl around, you may want to be distracted by a movie or book to quiet your brain, you may simply want to take a nap or hang out with a friend. Be kind and let yourself. Fighting it doesn't get you anywhere but more frustrated with how things aren't as you'd like them.

So give in and go nap in the sun or watch a few hours of hoarders and most importantly don't feel guilty. Your mind and body will repay you by bouncing back with a renewed spark after it gets the chance to cycle through and recover.

What do you crave on those hardest of days to motivate?

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I encourage comments directly to this post, but also feel free to email me directly with questions, reactions, struggles, etc. genevieve@lightboxsf.com

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

The Savvy Entrepreneur

This is a character I do, Marilyn. This is the first time I've posted her anywhere. Shout out to the Dead Kings Collective!

Hello! Another week has gone by...and my posts have become later in the day. Hehe, I guess it happens when one is on summer vacation. Tomorrow is my last day. Then I start the 9-5 gig and my time will become a well managed machine! Well, that is the hope.

Time management is a tricky thing. You have to be able to follow a strict schedule AND go with the flow. When I first started to help out with the silk screening business, I had a full time job. I would come home from work, chill for a few and then do paperwork. Sometimes I would wake up early and send emails before work, and yes, sometimes at work I'd answer emails. I wanted to be on top of it, so I multi-tasked often. Mistakes were still made, and I had to learn how to ask for help and be truthful what I wanted to do and what I could do. I am a survivor, so I don't like asking for help, I have ( I mean, had, haha) pride and was used to taking on too much (thank you, Public Allies). I had to work on myself, before I could fully comprehend what I really had to do. Being down for the business' success means getting ready for next levels of your life. You're constantly building on self, while building a business.

Time is always of the essence. Following up with clients in a timely manner, taking chances at the right occasions, and being smart with time so you can have the luxuries of a self-employed person!

A mural that was done last year for 4th of July. My man did the Frida to the left. Precita Eyes.

Here's what I learned and have put into practice on my good days. haha.

1. Have set times to do specific things. ie: After work on Tuesdays and Thursdays around 7pm, I'll do New Edge paperwork.

2. Don't get distracted. I know it's a duh, but I remind myself all the time to get back on task. I don't ignore my non-distracted self.

3. Be consistent. Don't give up your schedule just because one day it doesn't work for you.

4. Customer service is #1! Happy clients = future sales.

5. Take your time in keeping good records. I can't stress enough how important this is. Create a system, be consistent and make sure it's functional for your life and business.

If you get stuck, or need help, ask a successful business owner! Small business owners love talking about their business'! Or you can check out the Board of Equalization, Small Business Administration, and SCORE (to name a few).

Yosemite. Nov. '09

Till next week, love thy neighbor.

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

The Savvy Entrepreneur

Bonsai Sunset

Today, one of my students asked me to print out a Johnny Cupcake. I had no idea what it was. I thought it was a band. Turns out, it's a t-shirt company. I just read his twitter bio and it states "Dropped out of school + started a family run, ltd edition multi-million dollar t-shirt brand w/ no start-up loans, education, investors, advertising + wholesale". Wow. Double wow, when I read his story. It was so inspiring and cool, I wanted a Johnny Cupcake t-shirt right then and there. Even more so, I wanted to visit his store, with vintage bakery equipment as display cases.

The first store in Hull, Massachusetts.

I love this shirt, it's cute and with a message.

Reading his story, it seemed things came together at the right time and place. Of course nothing is without it's up and downs, and serious choices to be made, but it almost seems he was meant to do what he's doing. I took a closer look at his prices, t-shirts and designs. I love the cohesiveness of it all! The concept of the cupcake company that doesn't sell cupcakes, but sometimes has free cupcakes with purchase. It's a great business model, so much in fact, he has three (YES THREE) stores!

Entrepreneurs can learn something great from his business model. Of course, you'd have to begin with a concept, a nickname (in his case it was Johnny Cupcake), a niche that needs to be filled, then run with it. Be creative, think outside the box and use your skills! Everyone also needs a support system. Johnny Cupcake was lucky, because his support system also happened to be his family. Make sure you trust the right folks. People you work with have to bring something to the table you are unable to do for yourself. No need for lechers, or folks who don't fully believe in the dream.


Being an entrepreneur has it's ups and downs. It's not about the educational background, or who you know, it's about the ganas you show in the things you do. It's about believing in yourself and those around you, taking chances and being able to understand and see the big and small picture. I love being an entrepreneur, it gives me the freedom to follow my dreams, believe in myself and be creative. Like in Ratatouille, where the chef states, "anyone can cook", I believe that anyone can be an entrepreneur (and artist). Do something you love everyday, don't allow daily struggles get you down, and pray, meditate, relax.

Till next week, see above. =-)

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

The Savvy Entrepreneur

A tribute to Michael Jackson (RIP) at Bill's Wheels, Santa Cruz, Ca

Happy Thursday! I don't really have a theme to talk about today, so I thought I would just type off the top of my head. Let's see where this takes us...

I've been forcing myself to get up earlier everyday. I've been "sleeping-in" due to late nights of printing and being productive. But soon (July), I will be teaching full-time, and I'll have to get up even earlier! I am excited to be embarking on this new adventure. Although, it will be a change. I won't be home in the mornings, doing my routine. I'll be up and at it before 6am. Yes, I am spoiled, as I don't get up until 7 or 8am.

Now my income will double, but my time will decrease. But it's okay, because it will give me more freedom to do what I need/want. More money for the business!

Running a business on your own cash can be difficult, to say the least. But oh, does it feel good not to pay monthly loan payments! It does limit what we can sometimes do, but we always make do with what we have.

A photograph from our recent photoshoot. Shout out to Gaby! Finding the perfect (and free) spot to take pictures is easy! I always go to my favorite locations. I love the boardwalk...always will!

As I sit here and type, listening to the sounds of the dishwasher and Chubb's snoring, while contemplating cleaning up my desk, I wonder where all of this will take me. Will I be able to stay emotionally healthy when things get larger than life? How do financially successful people (who come from meager backgrounds) keep themselves grounded? How do I not allow my own insecurities get the best of me? I work on this daily, hourly, minute by minute. Keeping myself conscious of my actions is not always an easy thing. For many years I survived, not worrying about my actions effects on others, I carried my own weight, others secrets (as well as my own) and my insecurities behind a wall. Re-emerging as a new woman has been a great feat. Although at times I fall and stumble on the cracks it left behind, I count on my partner, my best friend and my muse to help hold me up. He keeps me balanced when I'm feeling off, and sometimes, it's hard to hear my faults, I work on them, acting as if it's not a big deal, so I don't freak myself out. It's a balance, being a strong woman, business owner, mentor, artist, daughter, sister, friend, wife. But I get up and do it everyday, even if I don't necessarily feel like it, because life is short, selfishness is not an option and living to my full capacity has made my life more productive and happy.

My Buddha, from Thailand. It always brings me peace.
Photograph by Me. Photograph available here.

Till next week, remember to give thanks and praise to the most high, live to love and enjoy nature.

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

The Savvy Entrepreneur

This blog is dedicated in loving memory of my Grandma Kornelia.

Today I took Chubbs for his first play date. My cousin also has a bulldog and, after many years of not seeing her, we decided to meet up. It was an amazing and blessed day! Not only was it a beautiful day in Santa Cruz, 70+ degrees and not a cloud in the sky, it was a nice reunion with someone I've lost touch with. It was so nice to come back together and "re-meet" someone as adults, as women who have push through, grew and changed into successful and happy women. Our mothers grew up together, and we grew up together. Facing different obstacles than our parents, but still facing our parents choices, we can often fall into patterns, that become integrated into our lives. Moving forward past life's obstacles, takes hard work, determination, and pure love of self. Seeing my cousin happy, prosperous, and with a bulldog to play with mine, made my day!

On days like these, I am reminded of the gift of life and how people come into our lives at the right time. My cousin brings great memories of times that are now long gone. Without those moments and people, I wouldn't be who I am today. We have been through a lot together, and apart. And I am happy to have her back in my life.

Life is precious and, just as God gives, he also takes. I recently went to my Grandma's memorial. I traveled to New Jersey to celebrate her life. I'd like to share the end of my Grandpa's speech. He and my grandma were married for 65 years. Both immigrants to this country from Nazi Germany. My grandmother, despite her Nazi education, married a German Jew. She struggled with dementia for the last years of her life, but always had a smile and a song for us when we visited.

"...for the last couple years of her life, every night, around 10pm, she would ask me to tuck her in. I would tuck her in, and every night she would say to me, you're the best thing that has ever happed to me, and I would reply, you are the best thing that has happed to me. She would then fall soundly asleep..."

My grandpa was happy that those were the last words he said to her. Make the last words you speak, before going to bed, be words of love.

Being a savvy entrepreneur is not only about being creative and hardworking in your business, but understanding and going with the flow of life. Acknowledging your past, and celebrating your future, while staying present, is a balance. Take the time to live moments.

Till next week, work hard, love often and give thanks.

By: Twitter Buttons

The Savvy Entrepreneur

Wharf Moon, Santa Cruz, CA.
One of my favorite places is West Cliff in Santa Cruz.
On this night the moon was the closest it's been to the earth.
It happens every 100 years or so.

Last night we went to a Precita Eyes Fundraiser to support the Youth Art Festival this summer. Our folks work/run the organization, and we do what we can to support them and the organization, just like they support us. It's so important to have a strong support system. Without people around to spark the dynamic of encouragement and creativity, running a business successfully can be a challenge.

Savvy entrepreneurs find opportunities everywhere. At the event last night, our very creative spunky friend performed. I didn't know what to expect, but she got up on stage and (pause to clean up some puppy pee) started beat-boxing, then looped it with some melodic words, and the started freestyling! I was blown away! A couple songs later, she sang about empowering women. I thought to myself, I would love her to write a song for Divine Orchid.

New Divine Orchid Maria Felix Tee!

An emcee friend, A1, wrote a song for the men's line, Reyes Muertos (Dead Kings). A1 is someone we met through our folks from Precita Eyes. His raps and beats make you want to bob your head and hear it again! So when we heard the song he made for Reyes Muertos, it got played again, and again! (I'm listening to it now, "...ya'll are not prepared for the rise of the dead kings...".)

Reyes Muertos (Dead Kings) Special Edition Lithograph

We have our first Fall/Winter line coming out soon, so we're in the stages of putting everything together. Our fashion show would be crackin' if we had some live performances! Which would be enhanced only by songs by some dope artists about us and what we represent.

Reyes Muertos (Dead Kings) freshly printed tee



You should always to be looking for opportunities that your friends and family bring. Be positive about what you can create together (and don't get discourage if the entrepreneur drive is not found in people you believe in, but surround yourself with people that can meet or exceed your entrepreneurial drive).

Our friends that we collaborate with have become more than just friends, but our extended family. We can trust their integrity, wisdom, drive and all around good nature. Being with them helps make us better people.

Till next week, remember to live simply, so others may simply live.

The Savvy Entrepreneur

My desk is the cleanest it has ever been. Packing can do that to a home office. I only left out the essentials and stuff that wouldn't fit in the box. Wow...did I really need all those things on my desk?! I now have room to work! hahah. Yes, we are moving. I am surrounded by boxes and piles. We're excited to be moving and look forward to our new adventure in our new apartment!

Believe it or not, this is a clean desk!

Since moving involves more than just packing, we have decided to temporarily shut down our etsy site (thanks Jen @ Mama's Magic Studio, for the idea!). The etsy site may be closed but the marketing hustle never stops! My blackberry is my very own virtual marketing assistant. Although, one day I'd love to have an iPhone, which I think would be far superior (since I also work on an apple computer).

I am always finding ways to maximize my time and profits. I get better at it every day I try something different. I've, for sure, failed more than a couple times, but each time that happens I re-evaluate what I'm doing and why. And Carlos is always there to bounce ideas off of. That's one of the many reasons we make a great team. He is the ultimate savvy entrepreneur! He has done his passion full time, and is able to make things happen. But nothing is without it's obsticles.

As entrepreneurs, we must be able to handle the storms that may come our way. So it's not just about being savvy, but being emotionally capable of handling some serious stress. It's no easy task! One of the many beautiful things about owning your own business is the personal growth that comes with running a successful business.

This is my girl, Eternia. I did a photo documentary on women in hip hop and she was one of my subjects. She is a savvy entrepreneur! She is an emcee, from Canada, rocking NYC. I met her 3 or 4 years ago. She was working her booty off making her dream a reality (working full time and doing her music hustle). Being an emcee is not an easy task, then being female on top of that, can make it seem impossible. But she never gave up, she trusted her faith in God and her ability to rock the mic, and she is now a signed artist. I want to give it up to her, because she is a beautiful person, inside and out, and deserves all the blessings that has come her way. Never give up!
Love ya, girl!

I'm begining to really enjoy reality TV. Many of the newer shows have some really great tips for life! The one I am thinking of, is on MTV, World's Strictest Parents. Great show. One thing that all the family's had in common (the strict parents) is that they were successful business owners. They were able to keep a tight ship at work and in the home. Our business' are like our children. They must be handled with care, and on a schedule. Our business' won't wait around for us to flourish, we must feed it the nutrients it needs to grow successful. But, we have it much easier than before. With the internet age, we have so much access to free marketing, it's amazing! We have Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, utube, craigslist...the list goes on and on! I have been hesitant in engaging in any of them. But once I got into it, I realized how resourceful it is! Whether I'm connecting with new interesting people, to having new clients, the internet age has created a new way to interact with others...from the privacy of our homes! It has enabled mom's the freedom to work from home, and be with their children! Which, is one of my reasons for wanting my own business. Having your own business is a freedom that not many have the discipline for. Everyone is capable, but not everyone has the ganas to do so.

I am proud of myself for the commitment I have shown to myself! I get to wake up everyday drink coffee in my pjs, while working away at the business I help start and/or run, then I get to teach kids art. All the while living, laughing and loving the person who I've dreamed about for years, by my side.