Valerie Parizeault is a Canadian Illustrator & designer from Montreal. She has a Professional degree in graphic design (1996-1999) and a College degree (BAC) in Fine art from l'Université du Québec à Montréal (2001-2005). She is the owner of Rose Flash, Playfully spirited Jewelry and the creative mind behind the Witty Workshop, an Etsy shop to buy and enjoy her illustrations and prints. Inspired by whimsical moments, children’s universe and storytelling, she is living her dream life as an artist with her husband by her side and her black cat Tokyo. Tree hugger and business connoisseur, she blogs both in French and English about Eco-friendly causes, Indie designers and her daily creative life trough her blog Pot aux Roses and about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship through her business tip blog Bite.
Valerie's jewelry and herself have appeared in magazines such as Fille Clin d'oeil, Loulou, Femme plus, METRO newspaper and Le Voir; she is also part of the book «Boss of you» by Emira Mears & Lauren Bacon. She was one of the finalist in the 2007 Women's Entrepreneurship challenge. Valerie is one of the three founding members of the Montreal's craft Mafia.
Web presence
Rose Flash * Playfully Spirited Jewelry
Art Portfolio
Witty Workshop - Art, prints & Mignonneries
Graphic & web design services
Pot aux roses, billingual blog
Bite, business tip blog
Valerie's Flickr
E-mail Valerie!
Sit down
Astrological Sign: Gemini. I'm also a Goat in the Chineese Astrology. Bah!
Year Your Business was Founded: 2005
Favorite animal: Cats, of course!
Favorite food: Sushi and Paté Chinois. Not at the same time, mind you!
My favorite trade tool: My MAC-mini!
How did you get started?
For Rose Flash, I was casually creating necklaces as a hobby and giving them to my friends. Somebody said to me, you could sell those. So without any planning, any business notion, that's what I did. Haha! I've learn a lot in 3 years and did a lot of mistakes, but I'm overall proud of what I have accomplished.
I started selling my art (Witty Workshop) trought Etsy in July 2007, and I'm happy of my success. I love my artsy life :)
My biggest Hurdle :
Stop working! It's 9pm now, and I'm still working!
Lessons learned the hard way?
Don't EVER do consignment if you can't visit the shop.
Sage Advices?
Don't try to do it all at once; You don't have to rent a snazzy studio and do all the craft shows and do your own website! Start small, make a plan, budget and don't forget to have fun! When you loose why you started your own business in the first place, then write down what's important to you and refer to it when needed.
I read on Seth Godin's blog something so true and which I have experienced:
Three things you need (to be in business):
Also, have a special reward budget: celebrate your accomplishments, even the little ones.
Future Projects?
Merging my art and my jewelry into one product, a book, artshows and maybe some sleep!
Favorite Indie Business(es)?
OMG, that's a thoughie to choose! I love Jill Bliss (artist), Moly Kulte (eco-fashion) and Emily Easterly (singer). I'm also a big fan of my mafiosa-sisters, and I'm not saying that to be polite! I'm truly amazed at women believing in themselves and getting down to business!
Best thing about:
Running your own business: Getting to be my own boss, meaning I can manage my time the way I want! I'm NOT a morning person.
Living in Montreal: Montreal is a booming cultural place. We have tons of festivals in the summer and also, it's quite a friendly place. You should come and visit ^_^
Worst thing about:
Running your own business: Money stress. I hate it.
Living in Montreal: Taxis and smog. But that could be anywhere I hear!