As we prepare to move toward 2021 and close out 2020, I’d like to introduce my last Feature Blog of the year that offers inspiration and motivation to those who may need it. The key lessons that 2020 has taught us are growth, resilience, and ingenuity. Jenn Aguilar, a serial entrepreneur and owner of Flip Appeal Designs, has got these qualities in spades. Jenn’s professional career is an exemplary model of the power of the side hustle. Her fearlessness combined with her resilient nature and creative mindset has allowed her to achieve her dream job. I have followed Jenn’s captivating career and side hustles since meeting her in late 2012. And honestly, I cannot wait to see what the future holds for such an inspirational side hustler. A big thank you to Jenn for sharing your story with me. I hope everyone who reads it is inspired to create, innovate, and inspire!
Q: Tell me about your back story. You have an extensive career and presence within the IT industry, how were you able to balance both career and artistic endeavors?
A: In a career during the day where your mindset is on strategy and an analysis focus, the opportunities to express oneself creatively are rare. Inherently, we have areas of work that fill our cups, and when those cups are filled, we are filled with inner satisfaction. While having art as a hobby satisfied basic needs, I needed to do it in a more intentional way and make an impact. When those opportunities didn’t naturally present itself to me, I needed to create those opportunities myself and on my own terms. I taught a modern masters class to young children, teaching them the masters and the beauty of their techniques; and then having the kids create their own piece inspired by those artists. Seeing how the kids responded to the artists and how aspects of that art resonated with them and helped them discover themselves, was extremely inspirational. I taught Vision Board classes, helping people realize their inner goals and the life they strive for. Now, being signed to a local reputable brand in the scrapbooking world, my dreams have come full circle; as I can now design a line that reflects a gap in the industry with my own stylings.
Balancing my full-time and all my side hustles, are no easy feat. A trifecta of factors is necessary. First, having a supportive partner who is 150% committed to supporting you and realize your dreams. Someone who doesn’t mind taking more responsibility and understands the work required that will reduce our time together. Second, the ability to time management like a ninja. As a former project manager, time is my greatest commodity, so I need to plan 3 months out to ensure nothing is compromised and that everything is allocated its priority and proper attention. Last but not least, drive. You have to be able to push yourself when you feel like all your energy is depleted. You need to want this so bad, that you will miss that birthday party or you don’t hang out with your friends as often. This has to be your focus and you will not allow anything to get in the way.
Q: You seem to embody a fearless and motivated person, when it comes to dabbling in new creations. What other companies have you created? (i.e. food tasting, Pour Decisions, Lunch bags, etc).
A: Everything I put my mind to has a specific intent. My life is clearly road mapped and I know where I want to go and how I’m going to do it. I’m multifaceted and have a lot of different interests that I need to explore. My parents came to this country to ensure that I was afforded every opportunity, this is something I will never take for granted. So I want to explore everything and anything that I’m exposed to, to understand and experience it. I have three lines of business that I hope someday to bring to full fruition. I want my own scrapbooking line of products, create my own YouTube channel similar to Martha Stewart, and lastly create a Wine Cafe. To do that, I explore all the things related to that to see how the market responds and how to approach the consumer. As a result, I currently have side hustles of restaurant promotion, wine/food consulting, art classes, and social media consultation. With these side hustles, they feed the data I need when I’m ready to initiate the other plans. With each one, I go 100% and put everything I have behind it, success or failure there are never any regrets.
Q: Are you afraid of failure?
A: I fear regret more than fear failure. I fear wondering, “What if?”. I need a definitive answer. If I know that I did everything I could and did the best I could, then I can pick myself up and do my Bruce Lee hand gesture, next.
Q: Does failure present an opportunity for growth?
A: Absolutely. Anytime you push yourself in the unfamiliar and uncomfortable you have to grow. Life doesn’t offer a safety net, so you need to be able to fall and realize that the only thing that can break you, is you. You need to have a mindset that you are Teflon; you fall, you learn, you get up and do it again.
Q: Or is the outlook more along the lines of feeding that creativity?
A: I think it’s both. If I stand still I can feel my spirit shrink. I need to be learning, growing, and doing. Complacency is my kryptonite.
Q: Can you please elaborate on your side hustles and what drives you to continue to create them?
A: There is an overarching plan, I know what I want and I’m working towards them. While not formally, it’s there. I have Pinterest Boards of all those plans and planning and driving towards them. I have a sketchbook with thoughts, budgets, and ideas. I take my passions and want to explore a diverse approach to entrepreneurship. When I look at the financial gurus, they are diverse in their endeavors and investments; I strive for a business model similar to that.
Q: You are quite a multi-faceted person. Have you had any mentors/ coaches?
A: I have had the pleasure to work with some of the most powerful and successful people in my career. I believe in surrounding myself with people who make me better and want to see me succeed. When I look at those who have had an impact on who I am, I am a culmination of those people in pieces that left its mark. I’m like a stained glass mirror of all those amazing elements that I’ve incorporated into myself.
Q: How have you managed to advertise/ share your creative endeavors?
A: I had 5 minutes of fame with the hand-drawn pun derived cartoons on my boys’ lunch bags, with that brush of popularity, I’ve acquired almost 2000 followers. I am very conscious of my brand and what the competition is doing. I’m approaching my brand to be memorable and inspirational. So, doing a photoshoot with a headshot unlike any designer currently in the industry. In my past experiences, it has become apparent that people buy the brand versus the product. My goal is to meet my audience and develop a connection that will influence my brand which in turn will promote my product. I have a couple tricks up my sleeve that I am not at liberty to share, but stay tuned!
Q: You’ve managed to turn your side hustle (artistic creations) into your dream career, how did you do it? Is it through endless promotion? Sharing your creations, etc?
A: Having a clear vision is important. I truly did try pursuing doing this on my own, but there were so many nuances that I never thought this would come to fruition. But, the vision was still there. I have an amazing network of friends from different walks of life, professions, backgrounds, and stages of their lives. By articulating my dreams and sharing those aspirations, people will share thoughts, connections, or ideas. This is that very situation, I shared my visions with someone I deeply respect and admire, she shared some ideas and people she knew in the industry and the rest is history.
Q: For those who want to take risks and embrace side hustles, what is a valuable piece of advice that you’d like to share with them?
A: Stay hungry. If you want it, you can’t let anything stand in your way, don’t take no for an answer, and don’t ever stop.
Always be prepared, because that opportunity could come when you least expect it. And, last but not least: Be a Hustler, business is business. Always take care of it.
Photo Credits:
Photography: Amy Katlan Photography
Make Up: Amanda Tozer