“The cohort breaks things into manageable bites. The work behind that is still extensive, but it really helps set you up.”
Jessica Fritz, a colored pencil artist based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, transforms grief into beauty through her work – creating detailed pet portraits, often commissioned in memory of beloved companions.
“That’s a very special part of my business – being able to connect with people over the memory of their pets.”
What began as a creative hobby in 2021 became a business in 2023, when Jessica officially launched as a solopreneur.
Like many creative entrepreneurs, she found herself wearing every hat – creator, marketer, bookkeeper – and quickly realized how easy it was to get stuck in research mode without ever hitting “go.”
“I’m really good at researching everything… and then getting stuck in overwhelm.”
When she joined the GeekPack + Verizon Digital Ready Cohort, Jessica was looking for structure, support, and a way out of the cycle of over-preparing.
“The cohort really helped me reintroduce the concept of: okay, what’s your plan – and what are you actually going to take action on?”
Instead of trying to do everything at once, Jessica learned how to break things into small, doable steps.
The message she heard repeatedly – “Even 30 minutes a day makes a difference” – helped her shift from perfectionism to consistent progress.
“It sounds silly, but even just having permission to work in little spurts was really helpful.”
Before the cohort, Jessica already had a basic digital presence – Instagram, a mailing list, Facebook, and a website – but her strategy felt scattered.
The program helped her refine and realign without feeling pressured to overhaul everything at once.
She also found one of the most valuable elements of the experience in the community itself.
“There were so many people from different industries, and everyone was so kind and encouraging. I’ll miss the Facebook group for sure.”
The weekly structure, paired with guidance from cohort facilitator Glenna, helped her stay on track and accountable.
“Having a week-to-week plan was so valuable. The Verizon platform is great, but it’s hard to know where to start. The cohort gave it structure – and Glenna was amazing. She was always there, cheering us on.”
A self-described lifelong learner, Jessica realized that sometimes the best next step isn’t more content – it’s application.
She’s focused now on implementing what she’s learned, staying organized, and building at a sustainable pace.
“I’ve gotten more commissions this year than last, and I feel like I’m starting to pick up steam.”
She’s also found new artist-specific groups to stay connected, knowing how powerful the right community can be.
“Community is so important – just having someone to bounce ideas off of or ask questions. It makes a big difference.”
For anyone thinking about launching or growing a business, Jessica’s advice is simple:
“Just start. Even if it’s imperfect, it’s something that’s done. And it’s something you can build from, grow from, and always come back and change.”
Looking ahead, she’s optimistic about where her business is headed.
“Hopefully the future looks bright – and more organized.”
