A Victoria graphic designer is turning a failed partnership into an enamel pin success story.
If you ask Greg Szabo if he ever intended to start an enamel pin business he’ll say one thing.
“Definitely not, unless someone really wronged me,” smiles Szabo.
How the graphic designer stumbled on a business creating pins is a story in itself. It started with designing pins in collaboration with another business.
“I found a local pin seller and I really liked the idea of doing the artwork to go on the pins so I approached them and we agreed on sharing the business 50 percent each,” says Szabo.
Szabo alleges that the man behind the deal changed the arraignment without his knowledge. Szabo was left with not only his designs but thousands of pins and a new source of motivation.
“I proudly declare this a spite business,” grins Szabo.
Like Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Latte Larry’s, Szabo’s business, simply named I Make Pins, was created out of spite. The inspiration for the name came from a company Szabo already owns.
“I already owned a business called I Design Stuff so it was like the logical next step. I design stuff, I make pins,” says Szabo.
His side business has blossomed in the past few months. There have been many rave reviews of his creations, all inspired by Victoria. From a homage to the old Johnson St. bridge to Takaya the lone wolf, Szabo’s enjoyed every minute of the experience.
“I just get to produce art related to my town and people seem to really like it,” says Szabo.
For anyone else going through a difficult time, Szabo has some advice.
“When people wrong you, use that energy to make it right,” says Szabo.
To purchase one of Greg’s pins visit I Make Pin’s website.
Cole Sorenson
