5 Things You Need to Learn from Illustrator Anastasia Magloire Williams
In the 5th episode of IN BTWN ARTIST, I sit down to interview Anastasia Magloire Williams.
Anastasia is a thriving children’s book illustrator that transformed her love for adventures and compelling story characters to a career of illustrating and even writing stories for children to enjoy.
#1 Seek your full circle moments.
I think the best thing anyone can do is seek full circle moments in their lives. I define full circle moments as moments that relate to a childhood or previous memory or moment in your life that you have either learned from, or completed a promise you made to yourself, or even fulfilled a secret goal or aspiration.
In our podcast episode and again in our live Q&A, Anastasia reflected on several full circle moments in her life and career. She remembers being that little girl excited to meet the creators of her favorite books. Now she is at these community events on the other side of the table signing books and seeing the thrill on the faces of children who get to meet the artist of one of their favorite books.
When we seek full circle moments in life we honor our inner child, we challenge ourselves, we motivate ourselves, and we affirm ourselves. This self gratification is a lesson on its own, however it is also a reminder that you are enough, you can do hard things, and that all things happen in due time.
#2 Being a natural Self Starter is not required.
Anastasia mentions that she is “Not a self starter girly”. Her personality craves structure, instruction, and guard rails. Through her years in college and especially the years that followed she had to learn how best to self motivate.
Being a natural self starter is not required in life. However I do think it is important to discover that skillset in other ways. Don’t get caught up on the skills you lack. Get inspired and adamant about setting yourself up for success. If you need timers do that. If you need a phone call, request it. If you need deadlines, do that. If you need the pressure of a school schedule or instructions, get that for yourself.
What I don’t want you to do is wait for someone to tell you to go be great. At minimum we have to learn to believe in that for ourselves, then gather the necessary resources and support systems to see it through.
#3 Snowball Effect for the Win
Are you neck deep with grand ideas, projects and aspirations but no finished product to show for it? It just takes one. Pick one thing on your mega list and fully execute it to the best of your ability and call it done, even if its just done “for now”. Anastasia, self published her book that she conceived her senior year in college. That book got her book commissions and years later continues to be a source that brings her new clients who discover her because of the work she did writing and illustrating that book. It is a snowball effect that gets bigger over time and it all starts with one thing. Discover your one thing and watch it blossom! Give yourself the chance and gift of knowing that you can complete a big project so that you too can reap the rewards from it.
#4 Be Easy to Find Online
Anastasia shares that she uses the same handle across all social media platforms and she is intentional about naming conventions and SEO. Being easy to find online is another sure way to expand and attract the right customers. When her agency was ready to expand into the US, a google search helped them discover Anastasia and her work. The rest is history.
#5 Dual Employment to Segway
With a surprising and welcomed offer from The Bright Agency, Anastasia continued to work at her day job for 2 years prior to feeling financially confident enough to step down from her position.
If you have the flexibility and capacity, dual employment is a valid option for many looking to transition into full time entrepreneurial roles. In the episode, Anastasia shares how she used her first 2 years with the agency, how she managed her time, and also how she managed her finances prior to formally leaving her graphic design job.
