Is it Worth It?

[stefdesign]

I was reading through the scraplifting/ pirating thread(s), and it made me wonder, for those of you who design, create kits, run stores, CT, etc: is it worth it? I know it must be worth it creatively... very rewarding to create designs, see others' enjoyment, meet new people, etc. But is it worth it as a business? When I read through what it is like to plan, create, design, prepare, package, upload, manage, and then market, etc. it just makes my head spin! Do you actually make enough money to justify the time you put in? Are any of you able to support a family with your scrapping designs? Or is it just for fun? Or is it enough money to help pay some bills? Do you plan on doing it for the forseeable future, or is it just a fun thing to do at the moment? Does it get overwhelming? Is there enormous pressure, or is it just totally fun? I have a million questions! I'm sorry if this seems intrusive... but I have been wondering about this for a long time.

[Karen Funk]

Stef, I've wondered this for a long time too, so I decided to jump in and try it. I've only been selling my designs for less than two weeks and have already done pretty well. I'm not doing it to support my family (I'll let my husband take care of that end), I'm just enjoying my hobby, and any extra money I can make doing it is great! My favorite part so far is seeing all the layouts people are creating with my kits, and that is pretty rewarding in and of itself!

[Cassel]

I remember seeing some polls about that, and although some designers (just a handful i would think) might actually make over $1000 a month, i cannot see that even that amount would be enough to cover all the bills and expenses for a family. So, for many designers it is an add-on too help pay the bills, or for others, it is a way to pay for their own hobby! So all in all it probably is worth if for some, but others will complain it is not worth it. It probably depends on what you expect to get out of it. For me, it makes a nice "emergency fund" for the family, and if i can get paid for doing something i enjoy, why not? But i am not planning on owning a big store and such. I am happy with my current set up and what it brings.

[Tiffikat]

For me it is worth it. Scrapping and designing are a big emotional release for me AND I am able to pay for my children's daycare and a few other bills with my designing. Since I am a full-time student and part-time preschool teacher that helps a lot.

[diannerigdon]

I don't make enough in digital to make it worth it as a business, not really, not after the economy down swing, and definitely not if you pay me by the hour lol but I make up for some of that it in paper jobs. I would probably still do it for nothing tho and may head that way before it's all over lol. The creative process is incredibly rewarding and having other people enjoy it is icing on the cake.

[SnipsNSnails]

I don't make huge amounts of money but that's not really my goal. My husband does not make a lot of money and I couldn't justify spending money on scrap kits and such when we don't have much to spare, at least not at the level I wished to buy things! So for me, my business is self-supporting, I make enough to cover the expenses I have for any CU, advertising etc. and buy whatever I want for scrapkits and sometimes some other things for myself or my boys. In that respect, it's totally worth it for me. I don't have to feel guilty or agonize over whether I can buy something, if the money is in my paypal, then I can do as I wish!

[Microferk ~ Miki Ferkul]

Well Stef, it's putting a son through college, AND I can stay at home to be there for the younger kids, drive them to school, be home when they get home and help with homework, cook all day dinners, take the mom to her many doc appointments, be home during school vacations, do swim lessons & sports, etc. Now if I want a week off during those vacations, I have to plan accordingly and design ahead of time.
So yes- I am BLESSED to be able to do this and STILL wake up very often totally excited about what project I am currently working on.
I don't let piracy and negativity dim my shine. There's too much fun and good in it for me.

[wendyzine]

Originally Posted by Microferk ~ Miki Ferkul

Well Stef, it's putting a son through college, AND I can stay at home to be there for the younger kids, drive them to school, be home when they get home and help with homework, cook all day dinners, take the mom to her many doc appointments, be home during school vacations, do swim lessons & sports, etc. Now if I want a week off during those vacations, I have to plan accordingly and design ahead of time.
So yes- I am BLESSED to be able to do this and STILL wake up very often totally excited about what project I am currently working on.
I don't let piracy and negativity dim my shine. There's too much fun and good in it for me.

It's the same for me Miki! I'm totally, totally blessed to be able to work from home. I work several different jobs from home, but my digi job definitely brings in money that contributes to our bottom line. I think most families these days find they need two incomes to support their families, so even though this is just a part of our second income, we do rely on it definitely. It's more rewarding, both creatively and monetarily, than my freelance graphic design business is and it's much easier to market and sell my digi products than it is to sell services. I count my blessings every single day that I can do what I do and be home with my kids. It does mean a lot of creative planning so I can work around what the family needs, but I wouldn't change a thing. (Other than perhaps adding a few more hours to the day!)

[Microferk ~ Miki Ferkul]

LOL Wendy about the hours- I've been trying to work that one in too!

[Tracie Stroud]

It's completely worth it, or I wouldn't be doing it. lol. It's a lot of work, and takes a lot of time, but it's enjoyable, rewarding, pays some bills, helps get us out of debt, and allows me to stay home with the kiddos. I don't see myself stopping anytime soon.