Turning my hobby into a side gig

It started out as a passion project on the side, but I quickly realized that the demand for accessories in this niche market was there and increasing. People liked my designs and wanted to purchase my products? I couldn’t believe it. I did have a basic background in studying Business at the time, but still had to do massive amounts of research on the world of e-commerce and the enamel pin industry before I could launch my products. I also built and grew a customer base in this niche market by establishing an online presence through social media and leveraging a few established e-commerce marketplaces - eventually creating my own online storefront. By cultivating relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, clients, and customers through managing my brand’s digital presence and attending local conventions I was able to increase revenue by 300% in FY19 sales compared to the previous year.

What i’ve gained so far

I think the most valuable things I’ve gained from this venture are the connections and relationships I’ve been able to establish not only with customers, retailers, and manufacturers, but also with other pin makers in the industry. In terms of skills, I have not only grown as a designer, but have also learned so much about marketing, strategic planning, budgeting, communicating, building rapport, and much more. Also, seeing my designs/products on the shelves of physical stores and out in the real world being worn by people I don’t even know is such an exciting feeling and still feels completely surreal.

Why Pins?

Having a passion for business, designing, and accessorizing, I started my enamel pin venture 2 years ago in my tiny college dorm room and have kept with it ever since. I actually started out collecting pins myself and love supporting small artists and businesses. I always thought enamel pins were an amazing form of “portable & tangible art” - when you wear them out it’s like having a mini art gallery of pieces from different artists on your jacket or bag! On a social level - I discovered that by wearing pins and other accessories, it made it easier to identify common interests, which led to some very engaging conversations and even connections made. Soon enough, I found myself interacting with the pin community on social media and imagining what it would be like to see my own designs come to life. I also have the opportunity to create and launch campaigns for causes and work with peers to raise money for charitable organizations (UNICEF, WIRES) I am passionate about.In short, it was the perfect way I could share my art with other pin enthusiasts and fans in this niche market across the globe. That combined with my love of photography has been the epitome of an incredibly fulfilling hobby.