Call for Guest Bloggers
For quite some time, I’ve been wanting to start a series of guest posts. They wouldn’t be your ordinary posts on the topic du jour; they’d be from people like you & me who are going through some kind of life reinvention and have a story to tell that might help others. Below is the first of a series that I’m calling Tell All Tuesday. Be sure to come back each Tuesday to see who (and what’s) up!
This week’s post comes to us from fellow Artist and Entrepreneur, Terry Brown, who speaks to diversifying your options after leaving corporate life. Enjoy!
Tick-Tock
Over the years, I’ve been blessed with jobs at various dynamic, high-tech companies. However, as the seconds on the clock SLOWLY ticked by every day, I knew I was in the wrong place. I was never truly happy with any of them and had to break free to determine my own destiny; especially after suffering through one “layoff scare” after another… over and over again.
One to Many
I had a degree in art and a love for music, but hadn’t had the luck or the time to make either one work, so I decided to simply break away and establish several small businesses rather than relying on one source of income. (Note: Once I made the shift, I actually had more time, somehow, to do art and grow as a painter while starting these businesses…weird, eh?)
Timing is EVERYTHING
Shortly after I left corporate life, I got a call from a former neighbor who told me about someone looking for a web designer. I typically don’t do websites for anyone, because there really isn’t any money in it and, quite honestly, I’m not that great at it. However, I worked out a deal with this guy (who wanted to teach people how to buy and sell OEX Options) where I would get a percentage of the profits from the business every month rather than a “set” website design fee. Big lesson for me, and perhaps for you: if you can get a contract were you make an ongoing commission or “percentage of the profits” every month—TAKE IT! In fact, look for opportunities where you can offer that. It’s a win-win for both parties, as there are no upfront costs for the customer and you’ll consistently make SO much more. (Note: I’m still painting and getting better bit by bit and was showing my work here and there…)
One Thing Leads to Another
Once I received some cash from the website gig, I took the money and started a promotional products business. It never really took off, but I can now print anything on anything (other than water). I built a website for this biz and made some money at, mostly because I had some enthusiasm for making it work. I enjoyed the whole production aspect of silk screening t-shirts and printing on other products, but the actual process of selling really wasn’t my thing. That being said, it was not wasted time/money because I learned a trade and for any promotional stuff I do, and now, I can ALWAYS offer t-shirts or other printed products if needed. (BTW, I’m still painting and showing my art more and more…)
Adapt, Adopt, Adjust…
To make up for the promo products biz not taking off, I started a video editing service and took a contract doing user interface design and UI testing for a new startup based in Denver. The great thing about this contract is it’s an extremely fun project/product for me and I only have to travel every 6 to 8 weeks.
…and Paint!
And, as for the painting? Well, I’ve sold a bunch of work, but not enough to rely on that alone. However, since I work from home, I do get to set my own hours, which allows me to keep growing as an artist while earning money from the contracts.
Like me, you may have to try many approaches before you find the one(s) that really work for you. The main thing is to dig deep and be honest with yourself regarding your skills/interests. Breaking free of the “one-job/one-income” mindset was a huge step for me; one that’s freed me from a typical 9-to-5 job. Of course, now I’m on call 24/7; but that’s with lots of breaks to paint in between. 
About Terry
Terry grew up in Akron, Ohio and then went to art school at Cooper School of Art in Cleveland. He moved to Silicon Valley in the mid-80s and has worked for various high-tech companies. Today, he can be found living with his wonderful family in the beautiful Northern California wine country; trying to balance out life with contract work and spending a lot more time devoted to fine art.
Really enjoyed this guest post, and love what you are doing here, Kristina!!!
Thanks, Stacie!
Far too often people “box” themselves into a certain career and put their dreams on hold because they fear there’s no money in it or they don’t have the skills to do it. Your willingness to try new experiences, especially when they’re not really “your thing”, should provide inspiration to others to take some risks and expect some interesting rewards. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, you’ve had a tech career and are a good artist (both halves of brain working well) I too work in IT, but beyond photography and a little dabbling in graphic art, am not much of an artist, perhaps having had much of any creative talent beaten out of me over the years studying and working in tech, lol! Anyway, great blog and I wish you all the best in the new you and with all your entrepreneurial endeavors! Sorry if this is a double-post, but I hit a wrong key somewhere & had to reenter my info.