4
CHASING PAPER CO.
18 Number of
What do DIYers, renters, and commitment-phobes have in common? They’re all Elizabeth Rees’ target audience. She got the idea for removable wallpaper when a friend asked for help personalizing a temporary work space. Elizabeth used her family’s largeformat printing background to create colorful wall wraps that were easy to remove— #peelsticklove. Realizing it would Ȑ && 0)# #( ." decorating market, she created her company to take the fear out of DIY wallpaper. x chasingpaper.com
Number of peel-and-stick wallpaper prototypes collaborations with other artists
Connect & Network
Good news: You’re not alone. Check out these websites and conferences for entrepreneurs. MAKERMEDIA .COM
MAKERS SUMMIT
Ever heard of Maker Faires? These guys oversee them, along with Make: Magazine, Maker Shed pop-up stores, makezine.com, and an excellent mentoring community.
For entrepreneurs who want to grow their alreadysuccessful businesses, Makers Collective (makerscollective.org) focuses on the big picture and day-to-day challenges.
99U.COM
Named for the concept that genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration, 99U focuses on making ideas happen.
90
BHG | February 2016
DEARHANDMADE LIFE .COM
A website and conference with industry pros leading hands-on creative business panels.
SCHOOLHOUSE CRAFT.COM CONFERENCE
Networking sessions and focused small business classes for creatives ranging from how to navigate contracts and legal documents to pricing and marketing your work. SHEOWNSIT.COM
Celebrates, connects, and supports women entrepreneurs.
SKILLSHARE .COM
A learning community for creators that offers online classes in design, photography, and business.
ETSY SELLERS BY THE NUMBERS
1.5 million+ sellers on Etsy
39 86 96 median age
percent female
percent run businesses from home
18
percent sell goods on Etsy full-time
81
OHMY HANDMADE .COM
percent motivated by creativity
Connects makers with other communities. The Oh My! Marketplace connects creative makers with services, supplies, and resources to help the not-so-creative side of business.
percent motivated by supplemental income
68
PHOTOS: (ELIZABETH REES) DAVID LAND, (ELIZABETH VALLEAU AND SAM MASON) COURTESY OF EMPIRE MAYO
ENTREPRENEUR PROFILE
BY T H E N U M B E R S
