Jacqueline Colley, a London-based illustrator, has built a successful career by focusing on markets, wholesale, and creating her own products instead of chasing high-profile commissions. She has spent a decade honing her craft and has reached a point where she can afford to hire help for her growing order volume. Colley transitioned from fashion textile design to illustration, starting by selling prints at market stalls and gradually gaining traction through a program from her alma mater, UAL, which led to her first wholesale orders. Colley emphasizes a hands-on approach in her artistic process, using traditional methods before refining her work digitally. She has developed a distinctive style that reflects her 1980s nostalgia and pop culture influences. While her Etsy sales have seen a decline—affected by market changes and external factors like tariffs—her wholesale business has thrived, with a 74% increase in orders after joining the Faire platform. Her diverse income sources, which include teaching and licensing, allow her to maintain stability in a fluctuating market. Colley advocates for finding a niche and creating multiple income streams, arguing that illustration doesn’t have to rely on high-profile clients. She encourages illustrators to engage with their local communities and pitch ideas that solve real problems, rather than waiting for traditional opportunities. Her perspective challenges the notion that success in illustration is limited to glamorous jobs, emphasizing practicality and adaptability in building a sustainable career.