Career
Megan Owdom-Weitz
in Berwyn, IL
Etsy shops come and go, but Megan Owdom-Weitz did her homework, and she is thriving. Years ago, she quit her job to go up against the odds of starting a handmade business. Smart and determined, she has built Megan Lee Designs to a five star rating on Etsy, and being sold in over eighty different stores across the nation. Amongst hundreds of thousands of active Etsy shops, Megan Lee Designs is a gem. Her handmade designs are unique and fun, including a T-Rex dreaming of bacon and Dachshunds riding unicycles. As baby Ivan’s new mom, she is learning to balance the quirks of motherhood with the demands of entrepreneurship. I Admire U Megan, you have built crafty goodness into a successful business.
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Megan in her own words...
1. You have such courage! You left your career in Graphic Design to pursue your dream, how did you prepare for the change?
Very carefully. I made sure that I had all my "ducks in a row." I made sure that I had lots of different stores that I was already selling to in "lots," like in 3s; and that I had my website up and running, and I just did a lot of reading and preparation.
2. What were some helpful resources for you while transitioning into entrepreneurship? Book? Mentor? Website?
There were definitely some books I read, I'm trying to remember the names. The Anti 9-5 Guide was one, so definitely some books that had some good worksheets that I worked through. Design Sponge was always just inspirational to me in general. And looking at any of my other, kind of similar indie-type entrepreneurial type websites was always inspirational to me.
3. You launched your Etsy site in 2005, www.meganleedesigns.etsy.com . There are thousands of crafters and artists that open Etsy shops. What’s in your secret sauce to having a successful one?
I think that it’s just in your work. My designs are hand-drawn and therefore they aren't super "copyable," they're unique. I feel that this is honestly the #1 thing, not just for my Etsy shop, but for my business in general. You need to come up with an idea that someone else can't replicate really easily, and obviously, that people like, too.
Very carefully. I made sure that I had all my "ducks in a row." I made sure that I had lots of different stores that I was already selling to in "lots," like in 3s; and that I had my website up and running, and I just did a lot of reading and preparation.
2. What were some helpful resources for you while transitioning into entrepreneurship? Book? Mentor? Website?
There were definitely some books I read, I'm trying to remember the names. The Anti 9-5 Guide was one, so definitely some books that had some good worksheets that I worked through. Design Sponge was always just inspirational to me in general. And looking at any of my other, kind of similar indie-type entrepreneurial type websites was always inspirational to me.
3. You launched your Etsy site in 2005, www.meganleedesigns.etsy.com . There are thousands of crafters and artists that open Etsy shops. What’s in your secret sauce to having a successful one?
I think that it’s just in your work. My designs are hand-drawn and therefore they aren't super "copyable," they're unique. I feel that this is honestly the #1 thing, not just for my Etsy shop, but for my business in general. You need to come up with an idea that someone else can't replicate really easily, and obviously, that people like, too.
"I would say do a lot of test marketing of your product BEFORE you quit a job, or make a go of it, or spend thousands of dollars on a wholesale show."
4. For someone interested in turning a hobby into a business, what two helpful nuggets of advice would you dare to share?
First, I would say you have to be a person that is very self-motivated and does not need to be told what to do. Because being your own boss, while very freeing in certain ways, also means that you are the only person that is going to force you to get anything done. Second, I would say do a lot of test marketing of your product BEFORE you quit a job, or make a go of it, or spend thousands of dollars on a wholesale show. Make sure that people like your product before you start putting lots of money into it. So you might need to try lots of different things first.
5. From developing your popular “Midwest is Best,” to T-Rex thinking of bacon, to adorable dog designs, what would you say is your process from idea to finalized design?
I don't really have a specific process. It’s really just doodling/sketching and kind of going with the designs that speak to me, and that I think are either funny or unique; and then finalizing them later on in Photoshop.
First, I would say you have to be a person that is very self-motivated and does not need to be told what to do. Because being your own boss, while very freeing in certain ways, also means that you are the only person that is going to force you to get anything done. Second, I would say do a lot of test marketing of your product BEFORE you quit a job, or make a go of it, or spend thousands of dollars on a wholesale show. Make sure that people like your product before you start putting lots of money into it. So you might need to try lots of different things first.
5. From developing your popular “Midwest is Best,” to T-Rex thinking of bacon, to adorable dog designs, what would you say is your process from idea to finalized design?
I don't really have a specific process. It’s really just doodling/sketching and kind of going with the designs that speak to me, and that I think are either funny or unique; and then finalizing them later on in Photoshop.
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6. Last year you participated in twelve craft/art festivals. How important do you believe festivals and shows are to a craft business?
I think for our business it’s been very important, especially locally. It’s really how we started our business and got our name out there in the Chicago area, back when the indie craft scene was starting back in 2003, 2004. And we've actually become kind of a bigger name in the Chicago craft scene due to all of the shows that we've participated in, and repeat shoppers. And it’s really fun getting to talk to people year after year that know your items, and you just get to know some of your shoppers. It’s really cool.
7. In 2009, your husband started helping you, and currently is the Retail Manager for the company. How do you make working full-time with your spouse a happy space?
I think for us the key to working together is having some autonomy and not micro managing each other. We will occasionally have meetings and check in with each other to see where things are going, but really on a daily basis we work completely separately even if we're in the same space.
I think for our business it’s been very important, especially locally. It’s really how we started our business and got our name out there in the Chicago area, back when the indie craft scene was starting back in 2003, 2004. And we've actually become kind of a bigger name in the Chicago craft scene due to all of the shows that we've participated in, and repeat shoppers. And it’s really fun getting to talk to people year after year that know your items, and you just get to know some of your shoppers. It’s really cool.
7. In 2009, your husband started helping you, and currently is the Retail Manager for the company. How do you make working full-time with your spouse a happy space?
I think for us the key to working together is having some autonomy and not micro managing each other. We will occasionally have meetings and check in with each other to see where things are going, but really on a daily basis we work completely separately even if we're in the same space.
"You need to come up with an idea that someone else can't replicate really easily."
8. Woo hoo! Congrats on being a new mom! What adjustments have you had to make to balance out work?
A ton! I think that being a mom is amazing. However, I would NOT recommend trying to start a business and be a new mom at the same time. We really built our business first and we have employees now that can help, and that has been super key to keeping our business running smoothly (for the most part), while learning to be parents and balancing the two.
9. It is easy to see in your playful designs, you enjoy what you do. What’s next for you and Megan Lee Designs?
Well, what we're currently working on is a fabulous new website that we're partnering with a great company in Seattle. We're super excited about that. It’s going to allow our customers to choose many more options with the items in terms of color/style of shirts, and then choose the design they want. So it’s going to give our customers a lot more leeway to customize, which seems like something they have been asking for.
10. I Admire U, who do you admire?
Lots of people! I guess I would say I admire anyone willing to not do a job that they just feel that they have to do but don't really enjoy; but that will keep working and dreaming and trying until they can find a career that they really enjoy on a daily basis. Because I think you work way too much in your life to settle. So, I know that's not a very specific answer, but I admire anyone that puts a lot of effort into having a happy career or a happy work life.
A ton! I think that being a mom is amazing. However, I would NOT recommend trying to start a business and be a new mom at the same time. We really built our business first and we have employees now that can help, and that has been super key to keeping our business running smoothly (for the most part), while learning to be parents and balancing the two.
9. It is easy to see in your playful designs, you enjoy what you do. What’s next for you and Megan Lee Designs?
Well, what we're currently working on is a fabulous new website that we're partnering with a great company in Seattle. We're super excited about that. It’s going to allow our customers to choose many more options with the items in terms of color/style of shirts, and then choose the design they want. So it’s going to give our customers a lot more leeway to customize, which seems like something they have been asking for.
10. I Admire U, who do you admire?
Lots of people! I guess I would say I admire anyone willing to not do a job that they just feel that they have to do but don't really enjoy; but that will keep working and dreaming and trying until they can find a career that they really enjoy on a daily basis. Because I think you work way too much in your life to settle. So, I know that's not a very specific answer, but I admire anyone that puts a lot of effort into having a happy career or a happy work life.
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