Quit Your Day Job: MewPaperArts
Alissa Sampogna had signed up to sell on Etsy just over a year ago in February of 2007. Within the span of a year, Alissa not only set up shop, MewPaperArts, but she was able to quit her cubicle day job. She is now her own boss and living her dream of running her own stationery business.
When you first started selling on Etsy did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?
Are you kidding? When I first started working at my day job I had dreams of eventually quitting it! It’s always been a part of the plan — as things started to progress on Etsy, I began to realize that I would never be able to make a real go of things just as a side-gig…I would really need to give it more time and attention to see it through to its full potential. Coming home at 5:30 after having my brain and creative spirit chewed on by corporate trolls all day did nothing for my productivity!
What made you decide to quit your day job?
Lots of things besides the obvious — the four foot tall cubicle the color of an ace-bandage, mundane work routines and repetitive schedules. I spent a lot of time surfing the Etsy forums (from that cubicle!) where I was really inspired by some of the other full time shops. The dream of success was really what fueled the move — and kind of knowing that I would never be able to tell if it would work out if I didn’t try it. I literally told myself many times during the decision period, “You can talk about this, or you can DO this.” And here I am!
How’s it going so far? Are you getting by?
I’m living my dream! I’m not a millionaire, no. But I am growing at a rate that surprises me every day. I’ve projected my first quarter profits through to the end of ‘08 and if I stay on track I will have surpassed the salary I was making at my day job! People often ask me how I manage working for myself, alone, from home all the time — I LOVE it. I don’t miss the drama of co-workers, I certainly don’t miss the lame dress code, and the commute can’t be beat!
Photo by MewPaperArts.
Wendy on October 2nd, 2008 1:07 pm
Congratulations Alissa on making it full-time as an online business owner. My husband and I also have a full-time “at home” business and it can be challenging. Overtime you might find that you “need” to get out because you may never leave the house if you don’t make an effort to do so. But, with the Internet I find I have a lot more contact with people who are in the same situation as we are and that helps. The people I knew from the “real world” of work still don’t understand working at and from home.
Wendy
http://www.limaugeboutique.com
http://www.businessbloggingguide.com
CoolProducts on October 3rd, 2008 1:12 pm
That’s great to hear she’s living her dream and enjoying it!
jaeda on October 7th, 2008 3:54 am
yes, really! i’m hoping i can do the same thing as what she did (living her dream)
cassy on December 29th, 2008 8:12 pm
it is free to dream, but to reach our dream is the big question, but for Alissa Sampogna she reach it ,coz she never stop from dreaming, passion and hardwork makes her dream come true and look were she is now, i hope i can also reach the goal of my dream.
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