This change has been in the works for a few years now, but today [March 2, 2013] marks the OFFICIAL closure of an amazing chapter in my life: Designing, launching, and selling my gift line of products, “WilloToons – where geek meets rock ‘n roll!” And I’m officially announcing my NEW online moniker: WilloLovesYou!
I’ll share more about this new name in a minute, but first, a little history…
History of WilloToons
I registered WilloToons.com on March 28, 2000 – exactly 13 years ago this month! – the name playing off my cartoon-style illustration.
Mind you, back then, we didn’t have vector graphics, and everything was so much smaller (resolution- and file-size wise). My first website was hosted on Homestead, back in ’98, and I wish I had screenshots of that one! I do, however, have this screenshot of my website in 2002. This is when I was still employed as a FT Web/Flash Designer at a boutique design/development studio in Potrero Hill (San Francisco).
In 2003, the bubble had burst, and as a result, I was (fortuitously) laid off from my job.
I had already been doing freelance animation & design on the side and had been craving to dive more back into my illustration work, so I immediately launched a business offering “Custom Wall Painting for Nurseries and Playrooms.” I figured, surely I could get some wealthy parents in Marin to pay me a thousand bucks every week for that & I’d be set!
I did get a few of those jobs, which was fun. But being the avid blogger that I was (and having a large following of friends & fans), it wasn’t long before web & graphic design + custom illustration jobs started coming my way, and my freelance career was launched!
Launching the WilloToons Gift Line in 2007
After 4 years doing freelance Design, Illustration, and Animation for others, I finally followed my heart and launched my dream of my own product line in 2007, featuring my designs & illustrations on tees for men & women and a baby line for all the kiddos of the geeks & rockers!
It should be noted here that starting in 2003, especially after I no longer had a job I had to show up for every day, I went to live music shows several times a week! I was doing freelance tech design & development work and rockin’ out in my free time in between. Hence the “geek meets rock ‘n roll” theme!
Celebrating the Awesomeness
Over the next 3 years, my line evolved into different colors and styles. I had a designer t-shirt line for men & women + onesies, bibs, and tees for babies and kiddos + tote bags, greeting cards, jewelry, and more! (Note from the future, where on-demand printing is available: This was back in the day when I had to purchase all the blanks & get them silkscreened myself!)
Leveling up in 2009, I launched an Organic & Eco-Friendly line
In 2009* I went to great lengths to find the best & brightest, silky-soft organic cotton, and the most sustainable and eco-conscious silkscreening, and launched an eco-friendly line of baby tees, onesies, pants & caps. They were a huge hit!
*Mind you, this was amidst a massive recession. Oof, quite the challenging year!
Grateful for an Amazing Community of Support
One thing is for sure: I absolutely could not have done ANY of this without the amazing support of my awesome friends!!
They modeled for me, bought some of my very first tees when the website went live, came out and supported me at shows, and a few of them even helped me man my booth!
I am eternally grateful for the guidance, support, and love of the brilliant geeks & rockers in my life – THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!
Through all of this, I developed a community of WilloToons fans around the world! I met amazing people while traveling around the country, garnered notable press, had the opportunity of speaking, teaching, consulting and inspiring fellow creative entrepreneurs, and learned SO much in the process!!
I’m ridiculously proud of what I created with this business. I followed my heart and made it happen, and the experience was truly life-changing in more ways than one!
End of a WilloToons Era
When I said this change has been in the works for a while, it’s because I actually first announced letting go of my line in January 2011, and shortly after, redesigned & relaunched my site with my “Inspiring Creative Sustainability” tagline and WilloToons Connect video series. However, I had kept the shop open to sell the last of the inventory.
Today I am announcing, I have officially closed up the WilloToons shop! This isn’t really that big of news, but for me – after almost 6 years of having it, and 2 years in liquidating limbo – it feels both weird and fabulous all at the same time.
The Story of a Heart-Centered Entrepreneur
WilloToons became my brand, but I’ve outgrown it, and it doesn’t fit the work I’m doing now. So, in thinking of what I wanted my URL and handle to be on all the zillions of online networks, I wanted to have something that communicates the thread of compassion and purpose I have infused in my life & business. And here we are… Introducing WilloLovesYou!
My new online moniker, WilloLovesYou, is a fun name that emanates the love I have for people, life, and the message I want to share with the world.
It’s been so exciting to see friends celebrating with me. So much LOVE! <3
Massive thanks to all of you who supported me over all these years, both in my design/illustration business and in growing (and saying goodbye) to this product line. Forever grateful!
Evolving at the Speed of Life
So here we are, my WilloToons shop has officially closed, and I have rebranded to WilloLovesYou. Big updates, but this is hardly a ‘What next?’ moment since the “next” has already been in full swing for a couple of years now… at a rapid rate!
If you’re just tuning in, here’s what’s been happening:
- 2009: Started to feel like I needed to let go of my product line
- 2010: Served as Co-Founder/Chief Creative Officer at Storenvy [for 6 months]
- 2011: Premiered WilloToons Connect: Creative Sustainability video series
- 2011-2012: Served as Co-Founder/VP Marketing at Stitch Labs [for 1 year]
- Aug 2012: Launched my first online course, RE:CONNECT
- Dec 2012: Launched “Feel ALIVE!” online coaching program
- NOW: Speaking, Teaching, Coaching/Consulting, and Writing!
When you get clear on what you want, change happens fast!
*Cheers!* Here’s to evolving, growing, and changing!
I have some very exciting developments rolling out over the next few weeks, and I’m super excited to share them with you! Please subscribe, if you haven’t already, and you’ll be the first to know.
I hope this finds you well and following your heart!
I can testify it’s damn well worth it every step of the way.
UPDATE: Here’s another website screenshot from 2014, marking the next evolution of my work as a Heart-Centered Business Coach… which is the beautiful work I’ve been doing ever since!
In ‘always evolving’ fashion, you’ll notice I legally changed my last name a few years later. 😉
continued to evolve ever since!
