Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Baez.
Hi Anthony, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Illo sketchbook sells premium quality, square sketchbooks to artists at every skill level. I wanted to create a sketchbook that was of great quality and could compete with pro-level sketchbooks but was more affordable so that the everyday artist could enjoy a great drawing experience without having to break the bank.
I am an artist myself; I went to school at the College for Creative Studies. I got a degree in illustration, so I had my fair share of sketchbooks. I never quite found anything that I loved, so I eventually created my own. But really, I owe it to God, it sounds crazy, but I had a dream one night where I saw the logo clear as day. I also woke up and typed up the about section of the website in like 15 minutes. I had ideas of how to market the business and how to grow and scale it from that one dream. It’s been a blessing for sure.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think being able to have a business, in general, is a great accomplishment. I grew up in Pontiac, MI, in a not-so-great neighborhood, and I never even dreamed I could own my own business. I didn’t even go to business school or anything, so I am just happy that it is going well and I haven’t messed anything up! lol
I think the hardest thing that comes with being a business owner to me is the time that it takes and what it takes away from. I don’t get to draw as much as I used to, if at all anymore. Which was the hobby that led me to this business in the first place. I have to focus on the business and keeping it running. I’ve had to sacrifice some things that I love so that I can run the business which brings people art supplies that they love! So, I guess the lack of leisure time is what it comes down to.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Like I mentioned before I am an artist, a Multi-Media Designer. I specialize in graphic design, illustration, photography, and video. Aside from being a business owner, I love being able to help small business owners market their services and products with my skills and experience. Even with a business, I continue to freelance and create for clients and entrepreneurs. Being an artist has helped me in many ways. One aspect is knowing what the art community expects or wants in a product because I am a part of that community myself.
On the business side of things, it helps a ton to be able to do a lot of the marketing and design work.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most artists who buy illo sketchbooks have never heard of me, and I like it that way because I am not looking for fame or notoriety. I am actually an introvert and like to keep behind the scenes for the most part. I don’t think our illo family realizes how small of an operation we run. We are legitly a small business. It is just my wife and I. When they order from my website it’s us who package it up and ship it. When they send us an email it’s me who is responding.
We really care for every person and artist who chooses an illo or shares it with someone else because this brand is our baby. It’s become our life.
Pricing:
- Our illo Classic 8×8 is $16.75
- Our illo Pocket 4.5×4.5 is $12.75
- Our illo XL 10×10 is $24.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.illosketchbook.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illosketchbook/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illosketchbook
