Alex Henderson is an industrial designer with her own company called Henderson Dry Goods. She makes home decor items and jewelry, mostly out of wood. It is her dream to open up her own bricks and mortar shop.

What does a typical Thursday look like for you, starting from when you wake up – to heading to bed?
I wake up about 8:30 and take my sweet time starting my day. For me, this is the single greatest advantage of being self-employed. I pat my cat, eat my breakfast and drink many cups of coffee while reading the news and various blogs I like. I do some emailing, listen to CBC, look for new music to download, load up my iPod for the day, shower. Music is very important to me because I work alone in my studio all day everyday and music is my constant companion.

I head out to my studio, which is the renovated garage in the backyard of my East Van home, by around 10:30-11. The first thing I do is turn on my laser cutter and my laptop. My day inevitably involves a lot laser cutting. While those are warming up I do a quick clean up because I’ve left everything a mess from the day before. I sweep some sawdust, do some deep knee bends and lunges and then the day’s to-do list. I usually have about 10 projects or major tasks on the go at any one time so I really have to focus and itemize what’s important to accomplish that day only. Then I add the rest of the things to the “non-immediate” to-do list. I get too stressed out if everything is on the same list and then I can’t accomplish anything at all.

Then I put my headphones on and get to work on the days’ tasks. Usually filling an order for one of my stores, working on one of the many non-Henderson Dry Goods projects I’ve taken on (right now, for example, I am simultaneously working on a local fashion designers leather sandals, a wall piece for Brent Comber, some custom laser-cut wedding invitations, and a submission for an art installation), and developing new product for Henderson Dry Goods. I am always working on new pieces for my company. I love the development process and I live for the moment when I figure out how something should be put together. When I feel like I’m on to something my heart literally starts to beat faster.

At some point I go back into the house for lunch and try not to get distracted by dirty dishes and laundry to be done. In the summer I let myself be distracted by some weed pulling and tending to the yard.

Back in the studio it’s more of the same. Sanding, cutting, measuring, note writing, packing, thinking, sketching, adding to the non-immediate to-do list. At some point I check in with my sales manager, a.k.a. Mom. We talk about the stores she’s been corresponding with, who has placed an order, what stores we should try to contact next. Hiring my mom was the best thing I’ve ever done. Cold calling is my Achilles Heel, and I was going out of my mind trying to do everything by myself.

I often have a lot of errands to run and materials and supplies to pick up so I cruise around town on my electric bike picking things up or dropping things off.

By about 5:30 I head into the house and start the computer work portion of my day. Emailing, Photoshopping, graphic design work, preparing files for laser cutting, etc… By the time my husband comes home at 6:00 I’m jumping up and down and start talking his ear off because I’ve been alone for the last 10 hours.

He is usually the dinner maker in our house because I’m glued to my laptop and can’t get up. I work usually work until 8:30- 9 or until my brain starts to go mushy- which ever comes first. Then it’s off to bed to watch old episodes of Law and Order.

What was your first job out of school?
My first job out of school was working in the design department of John Fluevog Shoes. It was a cool experience. I loved the traveling. I really miss the frequent trips to New York.

What are the 3 skills you require most to do your job well?
Not to be discouraged by setbacks. Be a good self-promoter. Diligent and ceaseless hard work.

What do you love most about your career?
I love working with my hands, getting dirty, ripped fingernails. I love seeing something that was a figment of my imagination become an object that has a place in the world.

Do you have any warnings?
Not really because everyone’s work experience is totally different. I can only speak for myself. For me, starting a business has been a harder process than I could have ever predicted. I just thought I’d make some cool stuff and people would buy it and I’d make money and everything would just work. It hasn’t been like that at all. It’s a constant hustle.

If you could try a different career on for a year, what would it be?
Play in a rock band.