MAW Studio - How It All Began

As soon as the door closed on 2015, 2016 was in full swing for MAW Studio. This is MAW's first year as a fully independent business. It's been an exciting (and sometimes harrowing) three years, and I am (mostly) ready for the next chapter.

Of course, there's nothing like the future stretching out in front of a person to make her want to look back, and I find myself reminiscing about Autumn of 2012. Bill and I had been married for about six months, and had spent most of the year financially treading water and trying to pick away at our debt. Then, I cracked a tooth. A molar fractured, and the pain was unbelievable.

Here you go, dentist and endodontics specialist

After a long period of forgoing maintenance, I had fortuitously made an appointment with a dentist, so I called and moved it to the next day. I went in, had a full-on assessment, and came away with a five-figure "get back to dental health" plan, one third of which was immediately due (go to the dentist regularly, friends!).

I panicked. We had so little in savings. Our job situation was steady, but not good. We already had plenty of debt. What was I supposed to do, invent a way to make money?

Well, I am an American, right? And what does America need more of? One of my favorite words: gumption.

So, I invented a way to make money. I started out by editing and laying out six months worth of photos in albums for a friend who had lived abroad. I added to that working with a fine art painter, photographing her art and maintaining her inventory, social media, and website. I started investing more time in my design skills and worked with several small businesses and local artists on advertising and marketing campaigns. I continued to work at a local gallery, photographing the art and updating the website and social media, which I molded into a higher-paying contract position.

One of the hand-written album layouts for the first MAW job

It took perseverance and hard work, and I'm happy to say all debts are paid (except the mortgage), mostly thanks to the income brought in by MAW Studio. It's a big step to become an independent entity, and I am nervous, excited, and trying to proceed as if I can't fail.
Here's what's on my plate so far for 2016:

• More photography than I've ever done (I have a studio that gets better by the day, and Horse Trails to Highways is calling me back for more) 
• Actively listening to and promoting more music
• Expanding my knowledge of marketing via social media and blogging 
• TRAVEL (mid-year is going to be a whirlwind) 
• Working with artists and makers of all kinds to expand my reach and test my limits 

A last tidbit: where did I come up with MAW? I love this acronym because the M and W create symmetry without repetition. Melanie At Work seemed to fit. Maw is also another word for mouth, which is how this whole adventure started, so it seemed right to give a nod to the catalyst.

I feel like I should have a platinum and diamond grill, but I'm happy with my pearly grill.