For many creative entrepreneurs, the craft is the easy part. The real challenge often lies in the quiet moments at the end of the year, wondering if a tax deadline was missed or if a form was filled out incorrectly.
Itzel, a freelance graphic designer and illustrator, knows this feeling well. For fifteen years, she has honed her craft, spending the last six of those years building her brand, Yay Itzel, into a full-time venture focused on vibrant, impactful visual storytelling. While her portfolio grew, her confidence in her back-office setup did not always keep pace.
The Search for a True Partnership
When Itzel first started her business, she worked with an accountant, but the relationship felt one-sided. Questions often went unanswered, leaving her to navigate complex financial decisions alone. For a Business-of-One, “not knowing” is more than an inconvenience, it is a source of constant anxiety.
“I would always have the little question in the back of my mind, like, did I miss something?” Itzel recalls. She did not just need someone to crunch numbers. She needed a support system that:
- Understood the Creative Industry: A partner who recognized the specific needs of designers and illustrators.
- Prioritized Communication: A professional who would actually answer questions and explain the “why” behind the “what.”
- Provided Peace of Mind: The assurance that her business was “doing things right.”
Building a Foundation for Growth
Transitioning a business to a new financial platform can feel daunting, but the right onboarding process makes the difference. For Itzel, migrating her data was a collaborative experience. Having a dedicated team to handle the “back and forth” meant she could ask as many questions as needed without feeling like a burden.
The shift allowed her to move away from the uncertainty that used to linger in the back of her mind. Having a reliable point of contact for daily questions meant she no longer had to wait weeks for a response. This stability creates forward momentum, allowing a business owner to stop playing catch-up and start looking ahead.
Expanding Impact Through Community
With a more stable foundation, Itzel has been able to expand the reach of her brand far beyond the drawing board. By delegating the technical complexities of her back office, she reclaimed her most valuable asset: her time.
This reclaimed time has allowed her to focus on high-impact collaborations, such as her work with San Diego FC, and engage more deeply with the creative community. Itzel has become a frequent fixture at major community events and has stepped onto the stage as a speaker, sharing her journey and expertise with other aspiring creatives.
“Having support has been awesome because I can put more focus on my design work, which is what actually makes my business grow,” Itzel says. When the administrative burden is lifted, solopreneurs are free to return to the work they love, whether that is designing for major organizations or inspiring the next generation of artists through public speaking.
About Yay Itzel
Itzel is a freelance graphic designer and illustrator with 15 years of experience blending technical skill and artistic intuition. Through her brand, Yay Itzel, she helps brands, foundations, and community initiatives bring their stories to life through vibrant, intentional, and high-impact visual design. A dedicated advocate for the creative community, she frequently shares her insights through public speaking and collaborative events.
About Collective
Collective is the first back-office platform designed for solopreneurs. We help business owners like Itzel run their financial back-end, formation, bookkeeping, payroll, and taxes, all in one place.
Join Collective and simplify your business like Itzel did: https://www.collective.com/
Ready to focus on what you do best while experts handle your business back-office? Learn how Collective can support your entrepreneurial journey at collective.com.
With over eight years in public accounting, Marissa has worked closely with small business owners to navigate tax strategy and compliance. At Collective, she translates complex tax concepts for self-employed individuals into clear, practical content—supporting them on their tax journey so they feel informed, confident, and empowered to make decisions for their business.