Meet Jessica Louise Stennings, an emerging illustrative designer based in Hobart, Tasmanian who runs her own small business called “Jessilu”.
Meet Jessica Stennings, an illustrative designer who runs her own small business called Jessilu in Hobart, Tasmania. Jess is a Tassie girl born and bred with a deep love and appreciation of this amazing island which she feels she is blessed to call home. She has always loved art and design since a very young age and she has been doing freelance art commissions since June 2024, creating custom designs for clients across Australia.
“Alex my business coach from Many Rivers has helped me with everything such as launching my website, improving my SEO, learning how to work with clients, and managing contracts.” Jessica Stennings
Read more about Jessica’s business journey so far:
Jessica’s business
I’m an emerging Tasmanian Illustrative Designer. I’ve been doing freelance art commissions since June 2024, creating custom designs for clients across Australia. I’ve always loved art and design. I think it really amped up in the year 2001 when I joined neopets at ten years old. I wanted to teach myself HTML to make pet pages and draw on MS paint. As I grew older and my family bought a PC I could use at home, I was busy teaching myself Adobe Photoshop and Flash. I bought a second-hand Wacom off eBay and off I went.
Jesillu is my artist brand, a mix of my first and middle names, Jessica Louise, which my mother affectionately used to call me as a kid, but also a shoutout to my role as an illustrator. I use my signature as my logo, something that developed organically as I signed my artwork after every piece.
What were you doing before you made contact with Many Rivers? Why did you want to go into business?
I was unemployed for a long time and really struggled to find a job. It was frustrating because I didn’t have much work experience, and that made it even harder to get hired.
Working with Many Rivers
I found out about Many Rivers through small business networking in Hobart.
Why did you want to go into business?
I wanted to turn my passion for illustration into something more sustainable and create opportunities for myself rather than waiting for a job to come along.
What services did you receive from Many Rivers? How did it help?
Alex my business coach from Many Rivers has helped me with everything such as launching my website, improving my SEO, learning how to work with clients, and managing contracts.
What did you find the most useful about the assistance from Many Rivers?
Alex keeps me accountable. He checks in on me and makes sure I stay on track with my business goals.
Did you get a loan from MR? How did you use the loan?
No, I didn’t get a loan from MR.
Do you have any current employees? If so, how many employees? Are they full-time or part-time?
Its just me.
Biggest Challenge
The rise of AI-generated art has made it harder for illustrators like me. More people are using AI tools instead of hiring professional artists.
Biggest Success
I collaborated with a client to create a workbook that helps students overcome barriers to attending school. It has been trialed successfully and is about to launch. The workbook focuses on self-development and building confidence.
Biggest Change
Before starting this business, I was unemployed and felt stuck. Starting my business has given me a sense of purpose and meaning. It feels great to be working and creating something valuable.
Future Goals
I just hope to keep getting regular clients as short-term goal. In the future, I want to do an exhibition in 2026 at my local art gallery and also want to develop a niche children book.
Thank you Jessica for sharing your business journey with us. We wish you the best of luck with future endeavours and business success.
If you would like to stay updated with Jessica’s small business, follow “Jessilu” through the following links:
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