The 24 Hour Work Day

It was the summer before last when I really got it that the business I had chosen was going to feel very different than most jobs. 

It was 5:30 on a Saturday evening and I was out by the pool working on my laptop.  (Those who know me know that I like to work on the weekends, when the rest of the world is out gumming up the lakes, rivers and bike trails.  I prefer to take my days off during the week, when I have the great outdoors to myself.)  So here I am, Saturday evening, cleaning out my inbox, when an email pops up from the President of a greeting card company. 

President:  Is this artist available for greeting cards?

Me:  Yes.

President:  I’m interested in doing a line.  Can you send over her portfolio?

Me:  Sure.

President:  Great.  We’ll probably start with 20-24 designs.  I’ll let you know our selections next week. 

Me:  Great.  What are the terms?

President:  Our terms are _________ .  Is this other artist you rep available for cards? 

Me:  Depends on the images you’re interested in. 

President:  We’d like to do a line with him too.  I’ll let you know our selections next week as well.

Me:  Great.  Can you send your contract over for review?

President:  I’ll do that on Monday.

Me:  Perfect.

Deal done.  Over the following week the terms were negotiated, images selected, hi res files sent, signatures gathered.

My workday never really ends.  And it never really begins either.  It’s just a continuous flow from one deal to the next, one marketing idea to the next, one trade show to the next. 

I wake up, start the coffee and open my computer.  The east coast is already into their day and I’ll have at least a couple of replies to attend to—usually artwork to send out, or approvals needed.  The next couple of hours will be spent moving deals forward from there.  My phone goes with me EVERYWHERE.  Emails are answered during pedicures, lunch with my daughter and breaks at Crossfit class.  Texts from my artists get answered.  Calls get taken in the check out line.  Marketing ideas come to me while kayaking.  

Licensing has just become my life.  Good thing I love it.