Can you tell us a little bit about yourself ?
I’m Ena, I’m a graphic designer and I own a website called Onaena.
I studied at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Maastricht. I’m a graphic designer and I started blogging not long ago. I’m very interested in makeup, fashion & lifestyle. And I love calligraphy: I always loved painting so it was a good solution for me to combine typography and painting.
What would you consider your distinctive achievement?
So far I’m happy I started blogging, I have more views on my website than I thought I would have and I keep getting positive feedback from readers. So that’s awesome!
I’m working on a couple of great projects, but I want more… So spread the word!
What are the qualities needed to be able to achieve this?
You have to stay busy and stay updated in the business, I was out for a longer period and then I had to start all over again.
You have to stay focused, motivated and consistent. I’m always trying to improve the website and thinking of more interesting topics for the blog. People are annoyed very quickly these days so you have to keep them entertained. As a graphic designer I have to make clear schedules when working with deadlines; in this way I don’t stress out in the chaotic (sometimes) personal process of making a product perfect.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m not yet where I want to be, so I need to be more patient and work harder to achieve this. I want to make a brand out of Onaena. Selling my calligraphic frames, stationary and homeware accessories. And I want to have many blog visits and happy readers.
I would love to have my own office somewhere in the city, where I can expand my brand. Do some collaborations with great artists.
Which advise will you give to other professionals?
If you want to be successful then start becoming more business minded. Continue to be very active in promoting yourself and your product. This is so important nowadays! Keep posting on social media and tell/explain people about your business. (On this matter a good book explaining why is Show your work)
What are the challenges that we need to overcome to make cultural entrepreneurship more accessible?
Organize more events about how to start your own creative business, about the financial part etc. (Check out this!)
Lecture people about how to sell their product, because a lot of talented people out there are not in the spotlights. Invite more business minded people, people that only have a commercial point of view and are not creative at all. I think a lot of artists would find this useful.
