The Job Market Broke Me. So I Built My Own Business Instead.
Field Notes: A series where everything I do comes back to my business. Everything I do is business training in disguise. This is what I call doing fieldwork: learning from real life, not just from behind a screen.
The Video
Published: August 13, 2025
To date: 96 views
This video got 20 views in its first 30 days. I'll get into why that happened—and what I learned from it.
When Desperation Becomes Your Business Plan
Here's the truth nobody tells you: sometimes your business doesn't start with a brilliant idea or a perfect plan. Sometimes it starts because you're out of options.
These products—my stickers, my art, this entire business—only exist because no one would hire me. So I hired myself.
For a full year, I threw myself at the job market. Started with two to three applications a week, thinking quality over quantity would work. Then I got desperate and ramped up to 10+ applications weekly. I wasn't even picky anymore—I just wanted full-time work with benefits. Something stable. Something that wasn't another soul-crushing contract.
The result? Three interviews. Over 300 rejections. And a whole lot of silence.
The job market isn't just bad—it’s broken. People are getting ghosted left and right. Applications disappeared into black holes. The economy is crap, and no one is hiring unless it’s contract, part time, or seasonal.
So what can you do? You have three options:
A. Sit there and blame external forces
B. Blame yourself for not being good enough
C. Take a chance on your pipe dream
Here's the thing: I am good enough. I have over a decade of experience in my fields. Two degrees. A portfolio. Prior to this crap economy, I’ve gotten every job I’ve ever wanted! All the crap they say you "need" to get by, but trust me, not a single thing helped in the last year. So it's not just you. Things are just... not great right now.
I wasn't going to keep blaming external forces or myself. After 300+ rejections, I chose me. I said YES to myself.
This is the start of something bigger than myself. This is my why. Life is too short to live according to someone else's definition of success.
When "Ideal" Isn't an Option
In an ideal world, I'd have that full-time job with benefits and great pay AND run my shop on the side. Everything would be sunshine and rainbows. But we don't live in that world.
Here's what I learned: it's never going to be the right time to start anything. The greatest time to start is just now. Even when—especially when—everything feels wrong.
The Dream I Put Down for 5 Years
I've wanted to be an artist since I was four years old. Every time someone asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up, Diana?" I said artist without hesitation.
My Polish parents were supportive when I was little. But high school came around and reality set in. "Get real with yourself," they said. And they weren't wrong to worry—art isn't exactly a stable career path.
But it was the art critics at colleges and my mom's concerns that really broke me. Their words made me so self-critical that I put down my pencil and didn't pick it up again for 5 years. I wish I was joking.
When I did pick it up occasionally, I hated everything I created. The thing is, the work wasn't bad. It was all in my head—all the voices telling me I wasn't good enough, that this was a waste of time, that I needed to be realistic.
It took a lot to get to this point. I've said I was going to start my art business probably a dozen times before actually doing it. But snowboarding, of all things, taught me how to finally take the leap.
Learning to snowboard taught me everything about starting a business. Baby steps. Little wins. Falling, failing, getting back up. Acting even when you're terrified. Through snowboarding, I gained the courage to put myself out there as an artist.
Because the only way to make it happen is by actually doing it.
The Fear Doesn't Go Away (You Just Do It Anyway)
Right before I launched, the fear came back hard. I started wondering if I was making a huge mistake. Maybe I should just give up and be a car salesman or something. I'm good with sales—maybe that's the smarter move.
But I knew if I didn't try, I'd always wonder what if.
Then I got the email: my first batch of stickers was ready for pickup from Death by Stickers, my local manufacturer. Earlier than expected. And suddenly it was real.
When I picked them up, I almost cried. The colors were perfect. The pandas were freakishly cute. My designs—my first attempt at designing for print—actually looked professional. The people at Death by Stickers told me my work was dope, and I needed to hear that more than I realized.
I couldn't afford to keep using a manufacturer long-term, so I knew I'd need to invest in my own printer and Cricut eventually. But starting with them gave me the push I needed and taught me what quality looks like.
Acting As If (Even When You're Terrified)
Here's my secret: I've manifested almost everything in my life by acting as if I'm certain about myself. Because I am. Have you ever had a gut feeling? Every time I follow gut feelings, and act in my “I Know” state, acting certain about myself or whatever it is I’m doing, it all works out.
I know I can make this business work. I know I can hit six figures and then some. I just know. When you know, you know. It just takes effort, discipline, patience, and work. Your vision board won’t work unless you put in the work.
But here's what people don't tell you: just because you know doesn't mean you won't have fears, doubts, or burnouts. You'll have all of those. They don't go away just because you're confident.
Everything was happening so fast after I launched that it rattled me. I got my PO box (security is important when you're putting yourself out there). I spent an entire day figuring out listing photos—the work people don't see behind every product.
Even if my business doesn't blow up in the first year, I fully believe the right opportunities won't pass me by. Not because I'm putting myself out there through job applications (we know how that went), but because I'm showing up on YouTube, on my blog, in my shop—unapologetically.
Yes, sometimes in a Winnie the Pooh hoodie looking like a mess at 7 p.m. Because showing up isn't about being perfect. It's about being consistent.
My art, my blogs, YouTube, stickers—I'm just getting started. It's going to take time. I'm not taking the route everyone else has taken. We don't have to expand or grow fast. We'll cross that bridge when we get there.
What I Wish I Did Differently
Looking back at this video with fresh eyes and real data, here’s what I’d change if I could do it over. This is the heart of fieldwork: analyzing what actually happened (not what you hoped would happen), being honest about your mistakes, and using those lessons to do better next time. Every upload is a test. Every metric tells you something.
1. DO NOT SCHEDULE VIDEOS
Even my current video with low views got more views than this in the first 24 hours!
This is the big one. Scheduling videos is for creators who have already "made it" and have a following who keep returning for more. Scheduling videos is not like Instagram where they wait in limbo. On YouTube, they are PUBLISHED and unlisted, and that signals to the algorithm that no one is watching them. So when they're finally public, what do you think happens?
People, YouTube gurus, or whatever, will say that’s not the case. But it is. It’s the same thing how many years ago Instagram & Social Media gurus said posting on Instagram is the same for all devices but it was not. Android phones did not have the same options or features that iPhones did. They did not know a thing about android phones because they lived their whole lives on an iPhone. Things have since changed, but most people are speaking from experience. And I have noticed this one is stark white!
This is something I’ve noticed about other small creators, they don’t have a set schedule like people used to have. They get done a video, and they upload whether that’s 2 in a one week, or 3 weeks later for the next one. They don’t schedule, they finish and upload.
So the lesson is: The minute you get done editing and exporting, upload and don't look back. Don't wait.
I scheduled this a whole month in advance for August 13th. Why? Because August 13th is the day of my imieniny. Imieniny is a Polish culture thing, a namesake day, and the only ones who celebrated my imieniny were my grandma and my cousin who was like a second mother to me, both of whom are now gone from the earth. August 13th felt like a good "I'm taking back control and living publicly" day, except it didn't perform well and I hid for a bit. I didn't want to check it for a while.
I've also found that when I don't watch the video immediately after uploading, it signals to YouTube that no one wants to watch it either. Like if you think it's cringe, then others will too. But if you watch it and like it and continue watching it, the algorithm will push it. I was scared. I'm not going to lie. But now looking back, I realize it wasn’t bad at all. I did very well and I’m proud of myself for that! But there are things, that still could have been better!
2. Thumbnail & Title Changes
I changed my thumbnail a few times. The way it is now is at its best and it's finally getting the views from a good title and thumbnail. In the beginning I couldn’t come up with a good thumbnail. And each thumbnail “theme” has 2 others that I didn’t use. So it’s not like I was only designing one at a time because I wasn’t, it’s just thumbnail creation is just as much strategy as everything else. This thumbnail came to me like a strike of lightning—random and all at once. And only recently at that!
The title was changed many times before I finally came up with "career burn out & no one's hiring so i started my art business ♡ this is my why, it starts here."
It was originally
"Rejected 300+ Times… So I Started My Own Business ♡,"
then "Overqualified But Unemployed ♡ So I Started My Own Art Business Instead,"
then "rejected 300+ times so i started my own art business instead ♡ small biz owner,"
then "career burnout, no one's hiring, so i got my LLC and went all in ♡ small biz,"
then "career burnout, no one's hiring, so i got my LLC and went all in ♡ business owner,"
and finally the current title.
3. Refilm the Intro/Hook
I wish I just refilmed the intro/hook. I feel like it could have been better. At the time I liked it, but I think I could have had a stronger hook. I did put a jarring sound in the beginning that now I'm like groannnnn why did I do that??
4. Premiere Pro Was the Problem
I edited this video in Adobe Premiere Pro and it was my LAST video in Adobe Premiere Pro. I switched to DaVinci Resolve in the videos after this. I'm definitely not setting foot back in Premiere Pro. I was on it for years but editing was never fun with it. It always had issues. Was bloated. I have the PC built to handle these programs, but it runs like shit.
I learned in DaVinci Resolve how to make sure all audio are on the same level, and around which dB they should be in. I didn't have that knowledge in this video so the audio is all over the place. Quiet in some parts okay in others.
5. Add Subtitles to B-Roll Voice Over Parts
I think maybe I could've added subs to the parts where I have b-roll and I'm talking like a voice over in those parts. Truth be told, those were clips from videos I talked to. I have been “forcing” myself to talk to a camera whenever I have a thought because I have admitted everything is a building block, and vlogging is a practice. It won't come naturally. You have to work on it every single day. Even if you have to force yourself.
6. More Talking Head, Less B-Roll
I think I could have also interjected more of the talking head clips between those b-roll moments in my "this is my why" chapter. Having those drawing clips are important, but so is talking back to the audience. Including the snowboarding clip was a great touch! But I needed more talking head in between the b-roll. Too much b-roll, not enough talking head.
7. Wrong Category Upload
I uploaded this video to People & Blogs which is where videos go to die. It should have been in How To & Style because that's where videos, like this, go to thrive, especially if they're related to the how to & style category. This is a transformation, journey, how-to in a way. I really had to sit down and understand each category to great extent, so that’s something I learned recently!
8. Add Text for Clarity
There's a lot of points where I could have added like text to clarify some parts of the video like I do in videos after this one.
9. Stronger Ending
I think the ending could've been stronger. The hook/ending video quality is ehh so def don't film during golden hour and then edit the color because it just looks weird.
What I Did Well
1. Strong, Relatable Topic
The topic is very relatable. This video is the START of my business. The WHY. This video is my why.
2. Some Clips Are Strong
I think some of the clips are strong. I think I did a good job with what I could. Some clips I could have cut, but others I think are great.
3. Timestamps (Added After)
I went back and added timestamps to the description, which helps viewers navigate the video. And I personally think, no matter the length, timestamps only are beneficial. But that’s from my perspective when I’m a consumer. I like timestamps.
4. Not Embarrassed
Going back to watch this, I'm not embarrassed. I love it. I think I did the best I could with what I had. And it helped allow my NEXT video to perform VERY well.
5. Better Vlogging Than Before
I did a better job of vlogging than my adventure vlogs that I filmed years ago but laid voice overs on top of that I’ve been uploading this last year. You’ll know exactly the ones I’m talking about when you see them!
I didn't just show, I told and talked about what was going on.
6. Good Transitions
The interjections I did, the transitions, they're well done. Using a clicking sound for transitions is good. It lets the audience know something is up.
7. Choosing a Manufacturer
I don't think a lot of people choose a manufacturer to start their business, but I truly needed a push and I didn't have the money for my own machines yet. So I think choosing a manufacturer is the best thing you could do for yourself if you're just starting. I chose my local manufacturer, Death by Stickers. They're not far from me and they had my order ready quick. They’re also the only place that allow a low minimum order amount. They also are local, and I don’t incur the wrath of tariffs like I would have if I had gone with Vograce. I do have a sample box from Vograce, and their quality is good not great. These guys quality was AMAZING. I have tried other top name manufacturers since then, and have gotten shitty print jobs in comparison.
Knowing what QUALITY and premium looks like helped me figure out how to make stickers on my machines, what materials I needed, etc. It was still a process but having that manufacturing start helped me understand designing for print easier because I've been designing for the web for years. CMYK is a whole other beast.
8. Took Watching Other Creators More Seriously
It was after this video that I took watching what other creators did MORE SERIOUSLY. That's when I noticed more. I also started to consume less and consume more intentionally. I also focus on creating before I consume, which is important.
9. Deleted Social Media & Went All In
I deleted my social media around the time this video went out, and I decided to finally go all in on the promise I made to myself about putting myself on YouTube. I want to grow my community through it. YouTube is playing the long game like blogging, but unlike blogging, YouTubers have a stronger community setting.
At the same time, growing my community also meant I would grow a customer base. Not everyone, but it would help put my shop and products on the map, which IT DID. I've been getting more sales. I can only see it growing even further thanks to YouTube.
Overall Lessons
1. Upload Videos Immediately After Editing—Never Schedule Them Early
When you're building your audience, the algorithm needs to see engagement immediately. Scheduling videos weeks in advance signals to YouTube that no one cares. Watch your own video right after uploading. If you believe in it, the algorithm will too.
2. Title and Thumbnail Optimization Is an Ongoing Process
Don't be afraid to iterate. I changed my title six times and my thumbnail twice before finding what worked. Test, measure, adjust. The video started performing better once I nailed the title and thumbnail combo.
3. Audio Quality Can Make or Break a Video
Inconsistent audio levels are distracting and unprofessional. Learn your editing software's audio tools early. Knowing how to level audio properly and what dB range to aim for is essential. This was a lesson I learned after switching to DaVinci Resolve.
4. Choose the Right Video Category
Categories matter more than you think. People & Blogs is oversaturated and videos get lost. How To & Style has better discovery for transformation and journey content. Do research on where your content type performs best so the algorithm can find an audience for them and categorize it correctly.
5. Balance B-Roll with Talking Head
B-roll is beautiful, but talking directly to your audience builds connection. Too much b-roll without face-to-camera moments makes the video feel distant. Your audience wants to hear from YOU.
6. Strong Hooks Are Everything
The first few seconds determine whether someone keeps watching. A jarring sound or weak opening can kill your retention. Refilm if necessary. Your hook is your first impression.
7. Starting with a Manufacturer Was Strategic
When you're cash-strapped and need validation, working with a manufacturer helps you understand quality, materials, and production without huge upfront investment. It's a stepping stone that teaches you what you need to know before investing in your own equipment.
8. Consume Content Intentionally, Create First
After this video, I started consuming less and more intentionally. I focused on creating before consuming. This shift in mindset helped me learn from other creators without getting lost in endless scrolling.
9. Building Blocks Matter More Than Perfection
This video wasn't perfect, but it was necessary. It allowed my next video to perform very well. Every video is practice. Every upload is a building block. Vlogging won't come naturally—you have to work on it every single day.
10. Community Over Vanity Metrics
YouTube builds community differently than Instagram or blogs. While 96 views might seem small, those are real people who connected with my story.
Focus on building genuine community, and the customers will come naturally.
11. Document Your Why
This video is my WHY. Having a documented starting point matters. It reminds you why you began when things get hard. It shows your audience the real journey, not just the highlight reel.
12. Growth Is Slow Until It Isn't
The first 30 days? Only 20 views. But with better optimization and lessons learned, it's now at 96 views and climbing. Growth is rarely linear. Small adjustments compound over time.
Subscribe to My YouTube Channel
If you want to follow along on this journey—the wins, the lessons, the behind-the-scenes reality of building a business—subscribe to my YouTube channel. Every video is a field note. Every upload is me learning in public.
Because at the end of the day, everything I do comes back to my business. Everything I do is business training in disguise. This is fieldwork: learning from real life, not just from behind a screen.
Let's grow together. 💛
