Since the end of my most recent contract at a traditional job in May, I’ve been exploring career opportunities. I’ve been pushing my own boundaries, testing out ideas for whatever my next step could be. These ideas have ebbed and flowed quite a bit, with little clarity on which direction I wanted to pursue. Clarity seems to now be happening, after months and months of networking, studying, reading, and trying.
All this to reiterate (while we await final clarity, together, over the next few weeks), that I’ve been on this earth for nearly 40 years and am rethinking entirely “what I want to be when I grow up”. I’ve had an interesting path to this point - venturing in and out of traditional work, grad school, different cities and places, and over the past couple of years, creative work. One thing I know for sure: regardless of where I end up, I will keep making. Creativity is a critical part of my process for problem solving, positive mental health, and expression.
Always creating.
This creating will look differently than it did when I first started JA Murphy Designs. Pat and I are shifting to more of a hobbyist mentality with our products. My digital designs are still available for sale as print-on-demand gift options on Zazzle, and I’ll continue to add to these items on occasion. I’ll still be making earrings, and will be offering our handmade items for sale here, on my website, directly. This is to reduce administration duties / costs through Etsy. Our inventory isn’t bringing anyone joy by being made and then sitting in a box in our closet, so with that in mind I’ve reduced pricing to encourage sales (note: shipping is no longer free). Please note, however, that if you go to a market and are buying items from folks, running a small, creative, making-business, costs are quite high. Competition is overwhelming with Temu / Shein / Amazon. This isn’t a complaint. I’d like to raise awareness: just because I’m in a position where I’m able to reduce my prices because I’m no longer running cost-benefit analyses, doesn’t mean every maker can or in fact should. Truly handmade items are time-consuming, expensive, and take a strong heart and soul. Support them if you can.
A strong, heartfelt thank you to all who have supported my creativity over the past couple of years, in the form of encouragement, purchases, and feedback. Without you I don’t know where I’d be.
Updated: October 10, 2024
Previous Abouts
Stories evolve. Perspectives shift. I like to keep things fresh, but I also find growth shows up in the written history. Here I’ll be keeping my previous “Abouts”.
Contact Jess
If you are contacting me regarding a specific order, please do NOT use this form. Instead see the Shop Policies. There is a special form there.
JA Murphy Designs was started
to create things for communing and inspiration
Since June 2022, when JA Murphy Designs LLC was officially founded, I’ve been wandering through the world of self-employedness. It all started with 10 Zenspo (TM) designs, sold originally through print-on-demand. Since the launch of the initial design line, I’ve created 100+ designs, developed several entirely custom gift bundles, learned how to bring all production & logistics in-house, re-outsourced (Zazzle), and have rebranded / re-released with major overhauls my website 4 times. Since the very beginning I’ve been supported by family, friends, other creators, and each customer who stops into the City of Rochester Public Market booth. I’ve been overwhelmed by perfectionism, lists of things I want to try and make, and often times fear this is all going to fail. When those feelings pop up, though, I remind myself of the people I’ve connected with over the past year. Often times complete strangers. Strangers who have said things like “I feel like you’re making these [designs] for me.” and “We should be friends because we share so many hobbies.” These types of interactions mean a lot to me as a small business owner. I’m full of gratitude for all the support, feedback, and kindness I’ve experienced over these months of in-person selling.
It’s my distinct hope the community gets two things from my designs: joy (maybe in the form of a chuckle or laughter) and feeling seen. It’s my goal to reach people who maybe aren’t normally reached. Touch their souls and hearts in ways maybe not normally touched. Help them feel special and loved. It might be in the form of a sarcastic mug design about crime shows, or it might be a serious sticker for encouragement. They might not remember who designed it, but it’s my hope when they interact with my designs on whichever media they choose they feel lighter, connected, and a bit happier.
Empowering Freedom
This has meant giving myself the permission to experience freedom: freedom of movement, financial stability and freedom, flexibility, and autonomy in choices. This is both directed towards the self and also empowering others to find the freedom in their lives. This shows up as: offering stories, but not demanding action, letting go of things not being done “my way”, and most importantly, remembering everyone has their own context and shit they’re dealing with, and meeting them where they’re at in terms of communication and support.
Integrity
Quite simply, doing what I say I will do, when I say I will do it (or communicating otherwise). This needs to be expanded to also include setting boundaries around what I’ll say I’ll do and when. This will show up as me standing by my product, as an employee, maker, writer, and designer.
Cultivating Peace
I’ve been practicing mindfulness around what it is I can control versus what it is that I need to learn to adapt and live with. Empathy, compassion, “staying curious”, and staying present are all part of this process. This shows up in the form of mindfulness and awareness, which I’m hoping will be a strong pillar in my career & business, as I create space between a trigger and the reaction or habit.
Wholeness
All of the above come together - I am my business and my work. This is ingrained deeply in my personality. I need work that allows me to live the above values, is aligned with what energizes me, and promotes a healthy, holistic balance. Yes, I want to make money, but I also want my life to inspire my work and my work to inspire others (or at least let them know they’re not alone).
JA Murphy Consulting LLC ®
JAMC was started in June 2020 as a consulting business addressing data strategy and needs in nonprofits. In April 2021, all client contracts and projects were complete, at which point the business was dissolved as a registered LLC in the state of Pennsylvania. During the time between April 2021 and June 2022, Jess Murphy - owner / founder / chief data officer, was employed at Tableau (a Salesforce company) and all JAMC operations were concluded. As of June 2022, the name of the business, “JA Murphy Consulting LLC”, is a federally registered trademark and usage of the said trademark requires written approval from the owner of the trademark, Jess Murphy.
Contact Jess directly using the below options regarding any previously completed contracts as it relates to the business of JA Murphy Consulting LLC®.
