RHEA HANLON

We got the pleasure to do an interview with Rhea Hanlon, who is a participant in our Dig Deep Program. We explored why she wanted to take part in the Dig Deep Program, her new business and how she has found building her business.

Can you introduce yourself - your name and what you do?

I’m Rhea Hanlon, a freelance Illustrator and Animator. I currently stock prints online and with local shops. I also run a small brand, “Lost Lines”, that collaborates with Banana Industries, an ethical outdoor apparel company, and I work on a variety of freelance animation and illustration projects as well.

Why did you want to take part in the Dig Deep Programme?

Learning new skills about building a sustainable business and also connecting with a creative community seemed like a great opportunity. I had dreamt about working freelance for a long time, and this programme offered me the chance to learn the skills I may need to take that step. It also seemed nice to have a support network, where we could learn and hear from each other about our experiences in building our businesses.

What is the new business that you have been developing?

I’ve been developing my print product range to sell online and with shops, focusing on local landmarks and the nature on this island. My Business idea is not one singular path, but the goal is to be a full-time freelance illustrator and that falls into different facets for me.

Primarily my next step is to work more with local shops in selling prints and cards that are produced with the environment in mind. I also hope to further my brand Lost Lines and begin to sell my own work online, while expanding my portfolio & client base. I’m definitely open to new possibilities and I'm looking forward to what's ahead.

What has been your biggest hurdle since you started your business?

Self-confidence and mental health, like many, would definitely be my largest hurdles, especially in starting a business. I feel like to run a business it seems almost integral to be able to talk about yourself and your business with pride, so battling low self-esteem while trying to feel confident in your capabilities is a tough mixture.

However this community has taught me that a lot of us feel worried or insecure sometimes, and it’s given me a bit of comfort knowing others can feel similar and still be successful. Seeing the others taking part in the Dig deep programme and doing great things is really motivating!

How do you see your business developing in the future?

It’s hard not to let your imagination run wild when thinking about the future and dreaming big. There's a part of me that would love to do all digital freelance work and hop in a van with my laptop and tablet and create while travelling (maybe someday).

But in reality, I hope to work consistently on developing and supplying my print range to stock local shops, until it is a bit more sustainable. In these efforts, I’m looking to develop that side of the business to be as environmentally friendly as possible, so I’m always looking for feedback from people on how to meet that target as well.

In the other areas of my business, I would be really excited to work on larger freelance projects, editorial pieces, large paintings, and more merch design.

The real dream would be to have my own studio space someday, which would act as a storefront too; a place where I could work, sell and meet clients to develop projects. Hopefully, someday I’d love to develop my business to a financially sustainable place, so I could offer a percentage of profits to local charities every year and give back to the community more in any way that I could.

What misconceptions did you have about starting your own business?

That your business needed to fit a certain mould, or that you needed to follow a path that had already been trekked, but creating your own business can be adaptable. You can change the plan if you want to and make it work for you, especially in Illustration!

Also sometimes you have to reach for the opportunities you want, they won’t always come to you!

What have you learnt about yourself since starting the programme?

That I was able to do a lot while it was a side hustle, so I should trust myself that it has the potential to work as I commit to it full time!

What/who influences/motivates you?

Life experiences and nature motivates me to create, creating has always been a cathartic process for me at its core. Capturing moments and memories on paper gives me comfort, that these little moments of life can last a while longer and hopefully I won’t forget them.

I’d have to say fine art and photography inspire me a great deal, I love seeing how others play with making marks or their composition and seeing how they create or capture their ideas, in sometimes such expressive forms, is inspiring! I think art is very fluid, each medium or section can influence and inspire another.

What has been your biggest accomplishment so far since starting your business?

My biggest accomplishment so far is moving full time to freelance. Personally, it was a huge leap for me to have a bit of faith in myself, but I’m extremely excited about this jump and committing to this idea full time.

What have you learnt about your business in the last 3 months?

That your business can be flexible. I’ve always thought you needed to have a very strict and solid business plan, knowing every step you’re going to take next. But the beauty about running your own business can be in its flexibility. At the moment I’m finding my groove and what works best for me and how I want to mould my day to day to fit my personal needs and productivity. I’m excited about this new venture!

What things are you going to implement in your business in 2021?

My three main things I want to implement this year are; setting goals I'd love to achieve this year and really going for them, a healthy work/life balance and finally committing to self-promotion online and not feeling ashamed about it!

As a side note, just sketch more and play with creating for fun again!

What advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t overthink so much, give in to the process of experimenting and playing with style and expression. Stop worrying and just have fun creating and connecting with the people around you, get feedback and be passionate about learning from others!