Today we’d like to introduce you to Faye Ziegeweid.
Hi Faye, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In a previous life, I had a career in public health and learned about the determinants of health – one of which is social and community context. Social and community context has to do with relationships between people and how connected – or not – people feel to each other and to their communities.
I know I want to feel connected to people, and I know I feel better when I am connected to people. But it can be hard to know how to build those connections or how to share with people what I’m feeling. I eventually figured out that sending cards to people is a way for me to share how I feel and give someone a tangible representation of those feelings.
I also realized that making cards is one of the main ways I process emotions – especially the icky and uncomfortable ones. Whatever is going on in my life slowly churns in the background of my mind while I lose myself in the colors and textures of what I’m creating.
I launched Queen Fayzel in January 2020 with a small collection of Valentines. I now have cards for all occasions, as well as stickers, gift tags, bottle tags, and greeting card subscriptions.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a relatively smooth road but a slow one, I would say. The pandemic hit just 8 weeks after I launched my business and, like everyone else, I had to rethink my plans. A silver lining there was that other creative businesses were in the same boat, so I felt more community and camaraderie than I might have otherwise. At the same time, not being able to participate in in-person markets and events really slowed my growth.
I think many other solopreneurs would agree, but it’s a struggle to be the only one in your business. You wear all the hats, make all the decisions, and are ultimately responsible for everything. There’s amazing freedom in that but also pressure.
I also didn’t anticipate the amount of personal growth it would take for me to run a business. I knew I’d have to learn about running a business…but didn’t realize how much confidence I’d need in myself and my creative expression.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I create bright, heartfelt designs for greeting cards and paper goods. I am most inspired when I’m digging in my garden or in green spaces. I love finding patterns and shapes in the wildness of plants and forests and bringing those elements into my designs. I hand-apply texture to many of my designs, adding a unique element you can’t get from mass-produced cards.
I specialize in cards that help people make and maintain connections with each other and be present for important moments in people’s lives. Sometimes saying what you want to say feels hard, so Queen Fayzel creates cards to say those things for you as simply, sassily, or bluntly as possible.
I’m most proud of taking the leap to start this creative business. I’d dreamed of it for years but talked myself out of it time and time again.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Take the first step! Don’t wait for it to be perfect — you will wait forever. Just try, learn from what you tried, and keep going. But don’t let fear or perfectionism keep you from moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://queenfayzel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queenfayzel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/queenfayzel
Image Credits
Hallie Kathryn Photography
