Ilona Drew (yes that’s her actual surname) is based in Brighten and has designed for a number of large publishers including Camden Graphics, Paper Rose, Uk Greetings and sold textiles designs in the UK & US before taking her first stand at PG Live in 2013. Working with mixed media, her pieces evolve often beginning with just one block of colour. Ilona talks about her creative path - losing her mum just after starting University, and what effect that had on her and her values in life and business now as a mother herself. I Drew This is now stocked in over 200 retailers around the UK including St Pauls, Edinburgh Castle, Museum of London, Mall Galleries, Paperchase, Fenwicks, Exeter Cathedral and the British Airways i360.   Ilona’s Takeaways  1. Follow your strongest pull 2. What speaks the loudest to you?  3.Life happens the road can be longer – it can be winder at all at different times of people's lives You can teach yourself anything Things take time, reach and hunt for the breadcrumbs. Reach out to studios, send x20 out and see what comes back Be adaptable. . If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no Set up your business days with non-negotiables if it’s a morning workout or not working when you see your children – be sure to stick to this as a habit. These are your company’s values It’s ok to not like 9-5 it’s your life and art, work your business around that. Creatives work best through play – we must trick ourselves to get into doing the work. Some people need a non-creative day job to keep their minds clear for their business Take a business course Look at your boundaries You may love what you do so much that it doesn’t feel like work, however, we need to live, and life will speed past, be mindful of this and design your life with all holistic qualities humans need, family time, fitness, social time. When you get a brief, ask yourself how it makes you feel? Is it for money or is it in alignment with your brand”? As creatives we feel it all, look at what makes a good productive day good t get into that flow state easily again, is it the hustle of the morning city energy? The evening sunlight? The sounds of the birds at 5 am? The radio afternoon chat show? We need these elements so it’s important to note what it all is. Connect with Ilona Drew here https://idrewthis.co.uk