Today we’d like to introduce you to Julianna Nichols.
Julianna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been hosting Messy Desk Club, a monthly 18+ craft club based in Edwardsville, IL, for over a year (since April of 2024!). The club came soon after being laid off from my “big girl” corporate job in the Marketing field. I felt very defeated and unsure about what my next move should be. In moments like this, I always find myself looking for something creative to do with my hands and away from a screen. I found oil painting and drawing classes, but without active income, I couldn’t justify spending $100 or more and committing to weekly, weekday courses.
Simultaneously, junk journaling started blowing up on social media, and seemed to be the solution to all of my problems, but I realized there was a longing there for community. Unable to find something that fit, I set out to create what I felt was missing in Edwardsville; a safe, affordable space for crafters to be messy, be themselves, and connect without being tied to just one craft.
For just $10 per meetup (yes $10!), members get to make whatever crafty mess they want without worrying about being perfect. All proceeds go straight back into making Messy Desk Club a fun and inviting experience. We’ve gone from 4 members to 40 and 0 followers on Instagram to nearly 400. I’ve personally made forever friends through MDC which would not have happened if I hadn’t taken the leap!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Messy Desk Club has been just as messy as its name! My first time hosting a meetup I tried doing way too much, and ironically spending too much money. I was sweating, chaotic and all over the place, and terrified about if anyone would show up, would they even like it, and if I’d fail.
As we’ve grown into partnering with local coffee shops and gaining more and more members, that hasn’t really changed. However, I do have a lot more confidence, more and more people supporting the club and people who are willing to help in their own ways. Some members donate items, some donate their time and energy, and so many offer encouragement.
I have to mention my amazing and supportive boyfriend who refused to let me quit in moments of uncertainty. He’s helped me through everything from talking through weird ideas to “handling the logistics” as he puts it, aka math, since I am not the most colorful crayon in the box when it comes to numbers.
A lot of people ask me how and why I do this, or tell me they’re surprised I am successfully and consistently organizing and hosting these meetups. The simple answer is I love it! I love to do it and I enjoy sharing that passion with others. Someone somewhere said, ‘if it scares you and excites you, you’re pursuing the right thing,’ or something to that effect. Despite the struggles, I think I’m in the right place, creating the right things with incredible people!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m currently a marketing consultant, helping clients establish their own brands while supporting their overall goals. I’ve worked for large companies my entire professional career, but I do that for money not creative fulfillment. I’d love to be my own boss someday, and I think the consistency of running Messy Desk Club and learning what it takes to help individual clients be successful in my current position, are giving me more and more confidence to take that leap.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I just can’t wait to see where life takes me next! I’m not even 30 yet!
Wherever I go I know creativity will follow, even if things get a little messy.
Pricing:
- $10 fee per meetup
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messydeskclub/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MessyDeskClub
