Today we’d like to introduce you to Reannon Overbey.
Reannon, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Jollie Ollie started as my college thesis project! I went to school for graphic design and I decided my final project was going to be a fake business that I named after my dog! I made a logo, started an instagram account, and made 5-10 products that I actually sold at the event!
When I moved to Austin for my first job out of college I didn’t really know anyone so I decided to start up my little fake store again as a way to have some fun creative time outside of work. And then when the pandemic hit, I had all this free time to just make stuff all the time!
It mostly just started as a few stickers, some handmade earrings and some prints that I sold to my friends and family. After awhile, I started looking more into other products and started saving my paychecks to spend on Jollie Ollie merchandise.
After 3 years of working on products and designs after my 9-5, I finally quit my job to do Jollie Ollie full time!
I have been doing Jollie Ollie for 5 years, and now have a separate business called Roommate Collective that I run with some friends.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think there are struggles with running any sort of business! Originally my main struggle was just finding the time after my full time job to do Jollie Ollie stuff. Trying to balance having a 9-5 to help fund my business and still having the energy to do creative work without getting burnt out.
Other struggles just include trying to figure out how to have a work-life balance when I do this full time! I love working on Jollie Ollie things and creating is my passion, but I do also find myself working on things late at night and on weekends when I should really just be taking time to spend with my friends and my dog!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I design and make cute gifts and accessories as well as a large assortment of bookish related merchandise! My design specialty leans more into silly digital illustrations that I hope can make people laugh.
I have a pretty diverse amount of interests and passions so my work is also quite diverse. I make alot of halloween and ghost inspired art since that is my favorite time of year. However, I also love to read so I have a whole line of book and kindle accessories that I have been slowly growing over the past year or so!
I think the thing I am most proud of is my packaging. It makes me feel like I am actually putting my college degree to work, and I just love the little details! I love sending out a package knowing that the product and the packaging are cute and even the little thank you card and freebies all match.
The thing that sets me apart is my use of color and silliness in all aspects of my designs. All my halloween inspired artwork is bright colors and smiley little faces.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Don’t box yourself into a specific niche when you are starting out. Let yourself do all the different things because it is the perfect time to experiment! Find the things that you love and are passionate about and work with that! If you are constantly trying to stay in a little box or follow trends, you’re more likely to get burnt out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopjollieollie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jollieolliedesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Jollie-Ollie-Design-Co-100067623392769/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jollieolliedesigns
