Reflecting on My First (Official) Year in Business

Meg Quirk
Jan 2
6 min read

Starting this business has been equal parts exciting, challenging, and full of learning. While I’d been dabbling in local markets for a few years, this was the first year I stepped away from a full-time "real job" role to intentionally put my time and energy into growing this work. When I officially launched in May, I was carrying a mix of hope, nerves, and a lot of unanswered questions. As the year comes to a close, I wanted to take a step back and reflect on these first months.

Starting Strong: The Early Months

While I officially launched my business in May, the planning started while my husband and I were abroad on our four month adventure. The initial phase focused on setting up the essentials:

Rebranding

Business Name
- Previously, the business name I did business as was called "Q is for Quirk". I never really loved this name but wanted to incorporate my last name...for obvious reasons. After many conversatinos with ChatGPT, my husband, and myself, I finally landed on Quirks of Art. I thought it was a fun pun, it incorporated my name, and it left space for my business to expand in different ways as opposed to focusing on one medium because if you know me, I can never just do one thing. Of course, right after I registered my business name from our hotel in Bali so I could start applying for market applications and a sales tax license, my husband lovingly pointed out that my business name could also be read as Quirks O Fart. I was mortified but have not learned to laugh at it. My husband always reminds me of the obvious truth that yes..... farts are funny.
Logo
- Next, came the logo. I struggled with this one quite a bit. If you ahve been following me the past few years, you may know that what really got me started in markets was some watercolor illustrations I made of my backyard chickens up to their silly adventures. Chickens have continued to shine in my artwork even though Ive been expanding to some other topics. But in the end, I knew I needed to go with a chicken-centric logo which is why I ended up with my current logo.

Building a simple but effective website: This became the hub for information and contact. Its been a fun way to show off projects that I've been working on and an important way to connect with those that are not on social media. It has been fun to challenge myself with these blog posts, especially since writing is NOT a strong suit of mine.

Overcoming Challenges and Adapting

No business journey is without obstacles! Here are some hurdles I've overcome in the last few months, and some i'm still working on jumping over!

Pricing & suppliers: One of my biggest challenges this year was finding new suppliers and dialing in pricing. I needed prices that felt reasonable at markets, while also making sense for wholesale and staying profitable. There was a lot of tweaking and learning, but I feel much clearer on what works now.

Market setup (and the elements): Creating a market display that shows my work well and doesn’t take forever has been an ongoing process. Wind — and sometimes rain — has been its own special challenge, especially with lightweight products. I’ve learned not to cheap out on gear (RIP the dolly), and upgrading to a wagon was a total game changer. One day I’d love to not look like the most unorganized person at setup and actually appear like I know what I’m doing. Next year, I am VERY excited to dive into a new tent!

Which markets are worth it: I’ve been learning which markets are truly beneficial by looking at entry fees, sales, and how much time and energy each one requires. Not every market is a good fit, and figuring that out has helped me be more intentional. On the plus side, I've found out that I do a lot better at markets that are closer to home or in similar communities.

Wearing all the hats: Running this business means switching between creator, owner, marketer, salesperson, bookkeeper, and inventory manager. Balancing all of that alongside my part-time work as a substitute at the library has taken some adjustment, but I’m slowly finding my rhythm.

Selling myself & claiming the title: As an introvert, selling myself doesn’t come naturally. I’ve also struggled with calling myself an artist — when people ask what I do, I still tend to say “librarian” first, or sheepishly mention that I have an art business. Learning to talk about my work confidently, and to own that title, has been uncomfortable but important growth this year.

Celebrating Milestones and Wins

Despite the challenges, there were many moments worth celebrating:

Markets across Colorado: I participated in 20 markets this year, ranging from Boulder to Grand Lake to Glenwood Springs. They varied from quick four-hour days to full three-day events, each teaching me something new about pacing, setup, and stamina. Even when a market didn't go as well as I expected, I often still got something out of them. I met a lot of great vendors, learned some tricks of the trade, and even got future sales from people that I met at different events!

Retail growth: I added 7 new retail partners this year, starting with just 2 at the beginning of the year. Seeing my work in more physical spaces has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. Most of my inquiry emails result in no response so when I do hear back from a retailer, it always makes for an exciting day! I have also learned to not take things quite as personally when someone tells me they are not interested.

Custom projects: I completed 13 commissioned projects, spanning everything from a hand-painted chicken coop sign to a National Parks map and a custom business directory for a town (launching in January). The variety has been both challenging and exciting.

Design wins: I won two design contests this year — one for the Blue River Watershed Group flyer and one for the Town of Silverthorne’s First Friday artwork, both coming soon.

Financial growth:I ended the year with a 53% profit margin, which feels like a huge win and a sign that the behind-the-scenes business decisions are starting to pay off.

Time & flexibility: Having a more flexible schedule has allowed me to spend more time with family, help take care of our puppy, and take more frequent trips with my husband and family — something I truly don’t take for granted.

Learning the business side: I learned more this year about business, taxes, and financial systems — things that used to completely confuse me. It’s still a work in progress, but it feels far less intimidating than it once did. Slightly embarrassing, but I finally now understand tax write-offs and WOW, what a difference that has made haha.

Planning for the Future

As the year ends, I am already thinking about the next steps:

Creative growth & reach:I’m hoping to take on more commissioned projects that broaden my reach, especially within my local community. This includes continuing to grow custom work and exploring licensing opportunities as a way to share my work more widely.

Strategy & streamlining: I’m working with a friend to build a strategic plan and take a closer look at which products performed best this year. Using that insight will help streamline future projects and focus my energy on what customers are most excited about.

Efficiency & flexibility: Becoming more efficient in how I run my business is a big priority, allowing me to lean further into a flexible schedule while still supporting steady, profitable growth.

Retail & sustainable growth: I plan to continue expanding into more retail stores, building strong partnerships and growing in a way that feels sustainable, intentional, and aligned with my values.

Final Thoughts on the First Year

Reflecting on these months, I see a journey full of hard work, learning, and small victories. Starting in May gave me a unique perspective on building a business from scratch and adapting quickly. I am excited to bring this business into the future because as we all know, everyday deserves a little QUIRKINESS!