Idea Napkin No. 1

I am Erica Rego: small girl, big personality. I have a knack for video editing, graphic design, conceptual branding, and consistent, cohesive social media presences. During my first year at the University of Florida, I developed a unique talent: hand lettering. I like to call it knock-off calligraphy because I don't use calligraphy pens or nibs to do it. I use any common writing utensil; from paint pens and pencils, to fine-tip felt pens and thin-line markers. I hand letter quotes and simple illustrations on either canvases or card stock. I hand letter to make something beautiful. Something that makes people stop and say, "Wow! You really made this?" Something that people would love to have framed on their walls or give as a gift to someone they love. I find joy in people's positive reactions to my hand lettered art and I want to spread that joy. Although at the moment hand lettering is just a hobby, I find myself doing it as often as I can because that's how much I enjoy it. 

I am offering my customers art and joy. Since my hand lettered art comes in two forms (canvas or card stock) my customers have options to fulfill their unmet needs. My product can serve as art for personal appreciation or as a gift to a loved one. Canvases can be hung onto walls and the card stock prints can be framed and hung onto walls as well. 

My potential customers all have one thing in common: they love quotes and simple art. My potential typical customer is female, ages 18-55, and appreciates a beautifully decorated home (or dorm) space. I believe my potential customer age rage is so large because I personally have made canvases and prints for women as young as 18 and as gracefully older as 50. I would also add the occasional male purchasing a print or canvas for his loved one as a gift. 

Potential customers would pay for this because it will bring them great joy in seeing their favorite quote in a new light, on a wall of a space they love. People want to be happy and I believe my product will make my anticipated customer demographic happy. 

My core competencies are the fact that I can tailor my product to the customer's wishes. I can make the canvas the color of their preference, they can choose between a canvas and a print, and they can select their favorite quote of choice. This sets me apart from everyone else: the ability to get exactly what you want. Also, while the hand lettering community is growing each day, it's still a fairly new concept that is making its way through the event planning business -- especially for weddings! 

I believe these elements definitely fit together. Success is when passion collides with talent and hard work. Those three ideas come together to achieve the ultimate goal: to make my potential customers happy. However, there is one weakness to my "idea:" it is very time consuming. Cranking out canvases and prints takes longer than you think. In contrast, I believe all great things are worth the wait and that's why I feel so strongly about my hand lettering art business idea.