The story of how this all started was actually a happy accident. Around the time that I got AC, I worked at a local paper store here in Milwaukee. One day we were making paper party hats, and I decided to make a tiny one for AC. To my surprise, when I brought it home and put it on him he didn’t seem to mind at all. I had this friend with a birthday coming up. She only refers to AC as "the jerk" (most people find AC’s personality a bit off-putting since he doesn’t really care for anyone except me, and he always looks like he wants to murder you) so I decided I would try and make her a birthday card featuring “the jerk" cat she loves so much.

I quickly threw together a little cake and messy backdrop made with construction paper and a glue sticks, and topped it off with AC wearing the party hat I had made for him. I was so excited with the result! His look of disdain contrasted perfectly with the bright happy birthday decorations. I liked it so much that I started printing more copies to give to my other friends—including a fellow employee at the paper store.

It was there that the owner saw this card and was intrigued. She asked if I had any more designs. I didn’t, but told her I’d be more than happy to make some. I went home elated and came up with another 5 cards, had a meeting with the owner, and my greeting cards started to be carried and sold in my very first store. From there things seemed to snowball.

I partnered up with my roommate at the time, Brennan Groh, to make “The World’s Most Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar.” I took the photographs and he did the graphic design work. I also attended my very first craft fair ever that same year: The Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago. It was amazing to see other people enjoy and admire my work, and to meet fellow artists like myself. From there I continued to make more designs, get my products into more stores, and attend more craft fairs around the country.

After 5 amazing years of hard work, I finally was able to quit my day job and devote my life to my ridiculous dream occupation: Cat Photographer.