I just got an email through Etsy's convo system that really makes my day. This is why I put the time in to share what I know with other artists and try to help them be successful as well.
I recently did an interview with Johnny B. Truant for his new course, Question the Rules. The email (quoted below) is about that interview, but the whole course is pretty frickin' amazing.
The idea behind Question the Rules is about how being an entrepreneur or doing
your own thing requires a certain punk rock, rebellious spirit. But
what's useful about the course is that it teaches you a set of tools
that makes it possible to do your own thing and actually make it work
instead of just being the guy who dropped out and wound up bitter and alone on the streets. The tools make all the difference. As Johnny says:
We created Question the Rules: The
nonconformist’s punk rock, DIY, nuts-and-bolts guide to creating the
business and life you really want, starting with what you already have
by reverse-engineering the tools we use every day — the ones that sit
inside of our own personal anarchist’s toolboxes.
We can give you those tools. We can teach you how to use them. And
we’ve also interviewed a bunch of master craftsmen (read: “awesomely
successful people”) who were willing to toss a few of their best tools
into the box as well.
At the end of today, the launch price of $97 goes up to $397. So today is the day to get in. I wouldn't bother telling you about it unless I thought the course totally rocked. And I do think so.
I liked what Johnny and Lee created so much that I even gave them a bonus to pass on to people who do buy the course— Everyone who orders Question the Rules will get a coupon code that gives them 20% off on the purchase of a Great Bowl O' Fire Firebowl. So actually, if you were thinking of getting a firebowl, you'd save money if you bought the course today.
Here's the full email that not only made my day but inspired me to get off my ass and write about why I think you should actually order Question the Rules:
Hi John, I'm Adam
I realize this is coming right out of the blue but right now I feel compelled to reach out...so I'm going to tell you a little story, I hope you can bare with me.
Just yesterday I bought an information product called Question the Rules. now I bought this product because the style resonated with me on various levels, Non conformist unconventional yada yada yada...
So I was listening to the interviews in succession and the third interview was with you, now I was more acutely paying attention to this interview because it said you are an artist...which I think I am also.
Now although your name seemed familiar to me it was when you started talking about your fire bowls that I rushed over to Etsy to look at my favourites list and made the connection, you were one of the first artists on Etsy I had reserved in my favourites list, if not for the reason that you weren't a painter or doing any of the commonly found art on Etsy and were working more in the sculptural 3D world.
Anyway I listened to that interview twice tonight and wanted to tell you that it has really given me a great new perspective for my current position in life.
I used to be a freelance costume maker living in Australia, but after almost 10 years of being stuck in one warehouse or another working on films and theatre for 60, 70, 80 hours a week or having no job at all, I decided it wasn't for me any more and quit my job; then on a bit of a whim I moved to Japan...
Currently I teach English; one of the few Jobs an Aussie can do here with out Japanese language skills. While doing this I am experimenting with different options and looking for an area I an interested in and can use the skills I already have but in a more creative satisfying way.
So I guess what I am trying to get out is that everyone has told me I'm crazy and that I can't do it, this or that and I have to say I was beginning to believe them but you have given me new perspective.
I am an artist, I am lost and I'm still finding my way and I realize now that, that is OK.
Thank you so much
Adam
Check out Adam's Monsterosity Etsy shop to see what he's making. I really like the Carnival Girls section, especially Blue Cat and Polka Dot Mouse.
Thanks, Adam, for letting me know you found the interview inspiring. I'm glad you haven't let the doubters sucker you into giving up. After all, what's so amazing about what they're doing, if it's just playing it safe with the status quo? I hope you'll keep me posted as you progress.
Note: the links to Question the Rules are affiliate links, meaning that I do earn a commission on sales of the course. I'm required to disclose that, but if you'd rather not click the affiliate link you can go directly to http://questiontherules.com.