Earning My First $100,000 - My Small Business Journey (With Real Numbers)

This week I'm celebrating my three year business anniversary and thought I'd look back at my timeline of growth as a business and artist to share those numbers with you 🥰
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A big thank you to my partner for filming and editing this video!

[@BaileytheIllustrator]

This is SOOOOO INSPIRING. You make the dream of an art career sound so accessible and you are soooo sweeeeet ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@MimimooIllustration]

Oh that is so nice of you - I really appreciate it! 🥰🥰🥰

[@artbyjennifers]

Thank you for being so transparent about all the numbers and your art business journey in general! 🥰 I am so grateful for all this valuable information you share, because it motivates me to keep going with my own art business 🥰❤

[@MimimooIllustration]

Oh I'm so happy to hear that!

[@MilkoMilkovicz]

My comment is maybe very uncomfortable, but yes, the video is about how much Mimi gets paid from instagram and youtube thanks to the followers. But Mimi does not mention how much she gets from her drawings which i do not think she is so transparent about it. Or i did not pay attention to the video... Friend of mine, she is a childrenbook professional illustrator for a very long time, but she barely gets customers. She does not have youtube and a boyfriend which is making videos for her. Another thing is that mimi´s style is very close to the Brooke Glaser style. Almost her style copy. There is no obligation to respond to my comment.

[@MsPotatoTomato]

Thank you for giving us these videos, you’re the only person who im inspired by because your videos are so clear and genuine, nothing loud or click baity. You’re just a good human being and I really appreciate it, thank you so much.

[@SimplicityLab]

Your channel is so inspiring. Even though I’m not an artist, I really appreciate how gentle and encouraging your advice is - for anyone trying something creative 😊

[@WedgyBlue]

Man, I'm not lucky, my art is not sellable. I just learned this advice from another art ist. Your art must be sellable. I keep changing even I have already my comfortable niche.

[@rachelselina4592]

Thank you for sharing & always being so honest, you must feel so proud of yourself for being consistent and showing up even when the growth wasn't there. I would love to hear more about how you create children's books, how you created full page illustrations and the process behind coming up with ideas. You seem so down to earth and really kind, that's also why you've grown your following :)

[@jennymhulla]

I've been going around the entire weekend worrying that if I go for becoming an animator and content creator that I won't be able to make a living wage. This video is such a huge inspiration. Thanks mimi

[@lightlawliet3526]

i've started new drawing account on ig this year and started a yt channel too. currently under 100 on both rn. which can be quite disheartening at times and i start doubting my art skills. but videos like this are reminders that it's not really about art styles or art skills. it's all the marketing stuff and and other stuff which i need to focus a bit on i guess.

[@jessicageil1614]

I’ve been wanting to improve my artistic skills, but I keep procrastinating, and watching the years slip by. Thank you for the motivation I needed. 🥰

[@MimimooIllustration]

So grateful to get to share this journey with you! 🥰✨If you'd like to try out my creativity workbook you can find it here: www.etsy.com/au/listing/1466698176/creativity-workbook-30-page-pdf-workbook

[@Spinnick]

I've been stuck at around 100 followers on Insta for the past 7 years, but I must say I was NEVER consistent with it and had terrible habits which were always holding me back. This inspires me to be consistent and change my mentality! 😤 Thanks for this video 🥰

[@beanzburg888]

This truly confirms for me that if you commit to something you love, opportunities will rise! Loved this video and it’s inspired me to keep trying :-)

[@1Caru]

Thanks for sharing your journey with us Mimi. You are an amazing visual story teller. I enjoy not only the video but also your way of telling your story.

[@nicolasb.henry294]

I just find your content today and as an artist myself I found your channel very interesting and inspiring for this reason you have a new subscriber

[@RegardsRei]

Wow, so awesome to see how far you've come in your journey! Congratulations on the books and your success! It always seems so easy without any bumpy roads when other people tell their story, but I know there were many heart wrenching moments and private moments of despair. Thank you for your inspirational story.

[@artica_katherine]

Congratulations! Love the video , love the inspiration, I would like to see more videos about the actual art, drawing tips , procreate drawing etc ❤ Keep growing Mimi!

[@dpcaw]

Wow I dont know you personally Mimi but I feel like I want to say I'm so proud of you:)

[@MimimooIllustration]

Aw that's so kind!

[@itsdaksha]

I've seen you grow so well Mimi. You deserve all the love, growth and happiness in your artistic life ❤❤❤

[@fuzzydragons]

I def need to find a different path for my job, so it's good seeing the basics of what someone else did to grow their business😊

[@madelovinglycrochet]

You so deserve all your success you’ve really earned it x

[@Nowt_else_to_do]

This is such a helpful and detailed video. Thank you for sharing all of this info.

[@nastashavalentine]

I love watching your videos! They're not only inspiring but calming. It gives me so much peace going forward in my illustration career 😌 Thank you!

[@MimimooIllustration]

Aw that's so nice to hear!

[@MariJadeWrites]

Thank you for sharing your journey, it's been inspiring to follow it :)

[@Qmori]

Mimi, you are so wholesome!!! congratulations with your journey goals!!!!!

[@tofugoob]

So so so exciting to see someone achieve their dreams! Thank you for sharing :)

[@HeatherLewis1700]

OMG!!! Is very excited of the art!!! ❤

[@kimberlyfleckart]

I love your videos, they have such a positiv energy and inspire me to start a small business out of my hobby too! ❤ Thank you so much for sharing them with us and being so transparent and honest with us. 💕💕💕

[@rivuuuh]

Been a fan since day 1. Keep it up mimiii! rooting for you ❤️

[@Micah-countrysidedweller]

Very inspiring! I would love to hear more about how you’ve managed it all without getting overwhelmed and how you deal with self doubt and setbacks. Those are my biggest challenges in my own creative journey. Thanks for a lovely video 😊

[@jeannettesalazar6442]

Love your work. 😊 I am an illustrator in the process to establish my business, not easy but I set up my goals to achieve it. Thanks to share.❤😊

[@bedheadacademic]

I'm so proud of you! this is so inspiring

[@Miyankochan]

You are amazing Mimi! Very inspiring!!

[@Marmarushka]

This is so great! I love seeing your business journey ❤

[@Zu-zu]

Congratulations Mimi! 😊🎉

[@contentprince]

your work is very inspiring Mimi ❤

[@tatuskaartstudio]

OMG amazing video! 👏Congratulations! Your graphics are the best! Teach us how you do it pls 😍🤩💖

[@debbiecacho344]

thank you for sharing. .this is soo inspiring. . love it 😍

[@tsvetelinahristova4197]

The best thing for Sunday evening! ❤

[@amrithaj6833]

I love your style! Thank you for the valuable information and guides you put out here!❤

[@black_cat_artstudio]

This is so inspirational. Thank you so much!

[@Fivepinkkumo]

Thank you so much, starting is so difficult and hearing your experience is motivational ✨

[@annette_164]

Thank you for this vlog😊it's so helpful!

[@susannmaj1692]

Congrats! ♡♡♡ and thank you soooo much for sharing this inspirational journey of yours. Keep going! :>

[@valkiriART]

Thank you so much for sharing you're journey! You're a big inspiration for me, you're videos and story showed me that patience, consistency and love can take you to you're dreams and everytime I see one of your videos I feel that my dream can come true too. Thank you for being honest with your growth and not showing it as a "over night success" I hope this comunity keeps growing and that you and Dan are happy

[@MimimooIllustration]

Oh this is such a beautiful comment, thank you so much for your kind words!

[@allysiren]

thank you for sharing this ♡

[@crystaltanart]

Thanks for sharing Mimi! it's truly inspiring. I hope to be on the same trajectory as you. Love the graphics.

[@paulinaacosta8748]

Congratulations 🫶🏻👏🏻🙌🏻!!! By the way, the editing of the video is amazing as well!!!!

[@bleh329]

🎉🎊 Happy Anniversary, Mimi!! 🎊🎉

[@MimimooIllustration]

Aw thanks for celebrating with me!

[@MeyTribe]

You are such an inspiration. I started a new channel for a specific type of art, and I feel like I need a proper mimi-binge to get my head straight !

[@mrs.quills7061]

I really liked this video. It helps me to have a more realistic scope of what I want my future to look like. I often feel shame or guilt I don’t have these things yet, but even you had to deal with slow or stagnant growth.

[@julesm9081]

thank you for this video xx

[@Shazzordinarylifestyle]

Wowww ur truly inspiring

[@Fruitcuppt]

Congrats Mimi! I just got your creativity workbook and I’m so excited to start my journey! :)

[@MimimooIllustration]

Oh wonderful, I hope you enjoy it! 🥰🎨✨

[@aaamemes]

I just started being an artist and my huge mistake is stopping for a year.. hope I can get back on track

[@ArtingFromScratch]

🎉🎉congrats Mimi🎉🎉 I am so proud and inapired by you!!! Im starting my art journey now because if you

[@MimimooIllustration]

That's so lovely!

[@AdunAnani]

Very inspiring 🚀

[@Chillmaisha]

How do you keep track of such detailed milestones? This is inspiring!

[@nickis.artworld9557]

Hello, what was your profession before you became an online illustrator? Did you study illustration? If not, was did you study? What was your job before you became a full time illustrator? And did you have a coach helping you starting your business? Or did you learn everything by yourself?

[@marlibeestudio]

Your videos always spark joy and hope 🥰thank you for always being honest with us. I'm also really struggling to give myself permission to call myself an illustrator. It's so difficult. 🥺

[@tallyway]

Hi, I have a question I don't think was addressed in the video. Did you have a job, or any other significant time commitment during the period you grew your business, or were you dedicating a lot of time to art? You mentioned 15 mins/day at the beginning, but how has your time spent on art increased over these periods? Maybe you could make a video on managing time to spend on art, or at least how much time you've spent on your business as you grew it. I'm curious and I'm sure others would be as well. Thanks and have a wonderful day 😊

[@AnnesSpace]

Thank you for sharing your journey. It's very inspiring and motivating. The timeline is so detailed and lively. Can I ask how did you make it?

[@kalynkepner2002]

Who edits your videos or do you do it yourself? They're so professional and dynamic!

[@mikanho9894]

This is so amazing and inspiration for me!!! Could you tell me know about your model ipad and your surface that you use for your artwork, please? And why you don't choose mac for creation instead of surface? Thank you so much!!! Good day!!!

[@Randomrshd]

Thank you for this video ❤ Is there a reason you didn’t immediately start out with offering prints and other products so you could have made money before you got that first commission?

[@emilytenney8651]

I am very interested in your illustrater starter pack! What a great idea! Just a question about the brushes, do you know if they will work with Krita? I am thinking they would. I really think I will be purchasing your starter pack, it would be wonderful practice for me!

[@healingbyvoice]

Absolutely love your videos! So inspiring. ❤ What software do you use to create the animations in your videos?

[@MimimooIllustration]

We're using Adobe After Effects, my partner edits the videos and creates the animations 😊

[@healingbyvoice]

@@MimimooIllustration Thank you for your response! I love your videos! 😊

[@shellecedurfee5140]

Hey Mimi! Me and my little daughters love your channel. I am always excited to see your new videos. I have a little request. I was wondering if you could do a video on how you put together and create your infographics for your KZbin videos. I want to add more videos to my KZbin channel but it feels super overwhelming. So I guess I am wondering how you put together the scenes and what program you use. 🙂

[@MimimooIllustration]

Aw how lovely to hear that! I've been thinking for a while of making some kind of KZbin series about how we make these videos!

[@shellecedurfee5140]

It would be super helpful for me! But really whatever you want to create will be fun to watch. 💕

[@yoyostorychannel]

Thank a lot to shared! I just came back to draw after I leaved it for many years Because I didn’t get any support when I was a small girl I am dare to continue because I am adult no need anyone support 🎉 Thanks ❤

[@MissTopDJ007]

what sketchbook did you use for your colored pencils ?

[@naturejelisabeth]

🎉🎉🎉🌸

[@TheFireBlazen]

Can you explain if holding your pencils with your first two fingers placed on top of the pencil instead of the tripod grip creates a better control of line or shading?

[@MimimooIllustration]

It's just how I've always used a pencil 😅

[@huyenkanS2]

❤

[@MixuTaufiq]

Mimimoo thank you for being so transparent, love your videos esp this one, it's so inspiring and helpful ❤️ thank you for making the path to a successful art career a little more accessible 🫰

[@victoriahammock4333]

You are very talented and your husband is an excellent video editor 🩷