Today we’d like to introduce you to Arie Dream.
Hi Arie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
The thought of making my own products and vending at events initially felt like a pipe dream to me. It always seemed unattainable because I wasn’t confident in my art skills. However, working as an art teacher at a children’s art studio was a rewarding experience that led me to where I am today. Seeing the children go through their struggles and accomplishments made me reflect on my own art journey and reminded me of how much I loved art ever since I was little. In addition, my coworkers, friends, and significant other have been very supportive which gave me the confidence I have now to strive toward my goals and turn my dreams into a reality.
In 2019, I opened my Etsy shop with a few products such as button badges, vinyl stickers, and keychains, featuring my simple and cute artwork. Later that year, I tried vending at a local anime event for the first time, and that experience changed my life. Eventually, I decided to pursue my dreams full-time and vended at numerous other events and conventions local to Los Angeles and Orange County, as well as a few out of state. I love interacting with my customers and seeing how my creations spark joy in them.
Aside from my business, I am also a co-working and art Twitch streamer. Twitch is an amazing platform that has allowed me to closely connect with my followers through sharing my art, merch-making process, and life experiences. My biggest goal for streaming is to inspire my viewers to create the life of their dreams by providing a safe space that encourages everyone’s individual growth, both personally and professionally.
Having a strong support system can be really life-changing for some. I know for a fact that without it, my journey would have been a lot harder, and I wouldn’t be where I am now. I believe that sometimes we need a little extra push to start or continue working towards our goals, especially during times when life gets in the way. I hope to promote productivity by working alongside my community through streaming my experiences and work process as an artist and a business owner.
While working towards my own goals, I want to encourage others to work on their tasks and share the progress they’ve made for the day. These work sessions allow viewers to stay focused on their work. Taking breaks to openly discuss our progress may also help other viewers feel more motivated and inspired to work towards their dreams. No matter how big or small the goal, everyone has something they wish to work toward in life. I want to continue building this supportive, positive, and wholesome community online.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are so many things to learn when starting a business, so I can most definitely say it was not a smooth road. When I began creating my first products, I barely knew anything. Google and YouTube became my main sources for information, and I also learned a lot through trial and error. I would often use my free time researching, brainstorming product ideas, drawing them out, and getting them made. I imagine there will be more challenges ahead as my business grows, but I am sure that all of my experiences to date will help me tackle them as they come.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Out of love for celestial and astrological themes, I created my own original characters — Astrology Girls — inspired by the 12 astrology signs. My brand, Arie’s Dreamery, is most known for its blue color scheme and dreamy aesthetic; so when I created my Astrology Girls, I wanted their colors to match as if the characters exist in my world. This series first started with my sun sign, Aries, then I slowly continued designing the others. During the design process, I made sure that I poured in the same amount of love for the other signs as I did with my own, so I’m very proud of how they all turned out.
Sharing original character designs with the world often has its challenges. Despite that, I believe my original creations are something that I can bring to life from my imagination. So far, I have created smaller products for this series, such as stickers, keychains, and stationery. However, I hope to continue expanding this collection with more products like pins, apparel, etc. It would be incredibly fulfilling to see this series become more known and exist out in the world.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Be patient and trust the process. Sometimes there will be days where it feels like you aren’t progressing as much as you’d like, but running a business takes a lot of time and effort to build up. More often than not, you won’t see the results immediately. Everyone goes at their own pace, but building consistency is key. I personally found that it helped me to do at the very least one important task for my business a day. So, find out what works for you and what doesn’t because everyone may experience a similar journey in different ways.
To anyone who is thinking about starting a business someday, I encourage you to begin by working towards it little by little. It might seem overwhelming at first, but you got this! I wish you all the best in your journey!
Pricing:
- Vinyl Stickers: $4-6
- Stationery: $6-8
- Keychains: $12-15
- Enamel Pins: $8-20 (depending on size)
- Notebooks: $27-30
Contact Info:
- Website: ariesdreamery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariesdreamery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ariesdreamery
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ariesdreamery/
- Other: https://www.twitch.tv/ariesdreamery
Image Credits
Arie’s Dreamery
