Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Wendy Barnes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Wendy, thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
When I started my business, I was simply drawing wildlife artwork. I quickly felt if I was going to make money off of the images of endangered species, I should give back to a cause working to protect them. This set the groundwork for me basing my pricing around the inclusion of a donation so my customers could not only enjoy the artwork, but they were also helping that animal as well. As my brand was growing, I worked at my local zoo in the development and conservation departments. Seeing first hand how non-profits truly count on donations to keep their visions and work alive, I was inspired to do as much as I could as my mission.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Wendy Barnes Design is an ever-evolving brand as I grow personally and professionally. While right now it looks like an online shop with my handmade products to help reduce disposable items and raise awareness for conservation, I am also expanding into surface design. This new direction allows me to focus on doing what I love most, the design work, and to get wildlife artwork into mainstream hands while still giving back.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Persistence, patience and applying all prior experience. I never would have known where certain career steps would be taking me. Part of what made this all work is that I try very hard not to have regrets and I believe each step, good or bad has a lesson.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
The Slight Edge, by Jeff Olson helped solidify my internal drive. Some days I feel like stopping whatever it is that I am doing that might be hard. I keep pushing through and use the thought that if I can push through the hard stuff, it gives me an advantage (even over my own sense of self-worth!) I work from home but you wouldn’t know it. I don’t take long breaks, I don’t take many days off and I keep regular working hours. This helps me stay on track and not fall into the lazy wheel.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wendybarnesdesign.com
- Instagram: @wendybarnesdesign
- Facebook: @wendybarnesdesign
- Linkedin: in/wendybarnesdesign
- Youtube: wendybarnesdesign
