Art Project or Business

— 5 minute read

I have a problem. I tend to have lots of ideas for projects, and things I'd like to do.

  1. A WebComic
  2. My Dashboard Affirmational App
  3. Start a physical mail newsletter to friends
  4. Leap Year Mug Project
  5. Write a Book
  6. Release Music
  7. Start a Podcast
  8. Make an animated series for my kids to voice act over
  9. Build a Baseball Scoring App
  10. Start a t-shirt brand

thats 10 Projects but the list is much larger.

My Problem: Is this an Art Project or a Business?

Now sure looking at this list of ideas. I'd like to do, its overwhelming. However, everything on this list has some business side to it, AND an art project.

I have plenty of ideas, but everything feels like an art project. I don't know if I could swing any of the ideas on my list to provide a full time income.

I know I can execute on these over the course say 5-7 years, and make them become reality. But can I make them bring money to myself and family.

Listening to Riff and Refine yesterday, got me thinking so hard how do I make a living with this ever growing list of side projects/ideas.

My gut is telling me to slowly try and release them. There are people that would love to see these things in the world I want them in the world.

I think the biggest barrier for me personally is spending money on making these projects happen. I know deep down good things cost money. So, the Art Projects will be a way to get over my fear of spending money for creating projects I want in the world.

Being able to make small projects consistently seems to be the way to grow and create more!

Seeing other people win, and create meaningful impact has been incredible. I will always hype those up, but now its my turn to build/share/create/grow. In the fall, some of the chaos slows and I'll be able to have some more time to build and create.

Idea #1: WebComic

I have had this idea for a webcomic for sometime, basically a superhero/mutant school (think Hogwarts) but its for Not Helpful SuperPowers. So like "Rat Boy", can sense that there is trash near by (not very useful ). Or Bat Kid, can hear what bats are saying. And there is a sorting hat that grants this powers to these high schoolers.

Idea #2: Dashboard Affirmational

Luckily, this started after listening to a Colin and Samir episode with Jack Conte founder of Patreon. This idea stuck in my head for hours until I built v1 here: https://dashboard-affirmational.netlify.app/

I am building this out in Laravel and should be able to have a draft version of this ready soon.

Idea #3: Start a physical mail newsletter to friends

Listening to Rob Hope on Riff and Refine yesterday, he dropped a link that makes something I've been thinking about all week beforehand a possibility. https://www.stampfans.com/

This also means Idea 1 could become a physical idea as well.

Idea #4: Leap Year Mug Project

Leap Year Mug Project, started as another WILD Idea that I write about here https://emmettnaughton.com/posts/the-leap-year-product-launch/

Everything has become so instant and this project started as the thought of what if it took 4 years to get receive the product. This is also the idea that would give me 4 years to figure out what the heck I'd even send out. I have 3 more years to figure this one out!

Idea #5: Write a Book

This idea has been on my mind since high school after an english teacher told me I should choose a profession where I don't need to write at all. This is mostly out of spite, and spite is a great fuel.

Idea #6: Release Music

After playing in bands and music for more than half my life this feels like a no brainer.

Idea #7: Start a Podcast

Ever since listening to NPR on long road trips growing up. I have wanted to tell stories like on NPR and with that buttery smooth radio voice. Not sure the exact format I'd want this to be, probably need a co-host and want it to be a follow along adventure show of what I've been up too.

Idea #8: Make a animated series for my kids to voice act over

Now, this one is near to my heart. My oldest wants to get into voice acting. This would be a fun project to get their creativity out into the world. AI generation could help with this project a lot.

Idea #9: Build a Baseball Scoring App

Love Baseball, and something I could use to unplug from the chaos of life would be to sit down at a baseball game and score it. its becoming a lost art, with everyones attention span going to zero. But an app that could quickly get up a scorecard for a baseball game could be handy.

Idea #10: Start a t-shirt brand

Its selling t-shirts on the internet, how hard could that be?!

Now thats a few of the ideas I have rattling around in my brain or whats keeping me up at night. Would love to hear what you are working on, I don't think I am the only person on this planet that has list of project ideas. Maybe I'm wrong.

What projects from the list or other ideas would you want me to try and make?

How much would you pay me for said projects? How long should I spend on each of these projects to make sure they are polished enough to see the light of day. Is there a project that isn't on this list, you think I should dive into?!

So many questions, so many projects, not enough time.

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