Today we’d like to introduce you to Ciara Metzger
Hi Ciara, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi, I’m Ciara Metzger. I’m a Minneapolis-based creative and I officially began my entrepreneurial journey about a year and a half ago by starting a marketing and print shop, Fuzzy Rocks Creative Co.
How did I get here?
Growing up I was always creative but felt this societal pressure to do something “practical.” I started taking business classes in high school and went to the University of Minnesota undecided. Eventually, I landed on Strategic Communications from the journalism school and minored in both Business and Design—a career in marketing felt like it might strike the right balance of creativity and practicality.
So, I started my marketing career, while in the background, I continued to pursue creative outlets—knitting, pottery, painting, etc.
Starting a business seemed more of a “when” for me, rather than an “if.” I got the opportunity to have steady work for a few months (a freelancer’s dream!) by covering a parental leave at IN Food Marketing, the agency I started my career at.
At the same time, I desperately needed a tactile, creative outlet that wasn’t selling anything for anyone else. Wandering the aisles of Blick Art Materials, I found a linocut set and discovered printmaking. After spending time carving blocks, you end up printing more than one copy of something. I had a plethora of prints, flexibility in my schedule, and the desire to check out the Twin Cities art/pop-up scene. Pilllar Forum, a coffee shop that I love and frequent, started hosting weekly pop-ups to feature artists, I got on their list and had my first pop-up as Fuzzy Rocks. Lots of friends showed up for me and I also got to meet a lot of community members, which I think has been my favorite part of all of this…The arts and small business scene in the Twin Cities is so rich and it’s been a joy to be a part of.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes and no. I’m very fortunate and have a lot of privileges that other people don’t have. I am a white woman and have had access to higher education (I’m still paying that off, but I had access to it). I have a beautiful support system of family and friends.
That said, I have worked incredibly hard my entire life. I’ve been working since I was a teenager, often multiple jobs at a time. In some ways, starting a business has almost felt like the least amount of work compared to all my other jobs—I have full autonomy on who I work with, how I work, and when I work. It has taken a while to get to a place of being comfortable with this. But now, if my brain isn’t ready to focus on a task I go do something with my hands or go outside and come back to my desk when I’m in the right mindset for it.
Then there are other challenges like finding clients, imposter syndrome, accounting, and all that fun stuff. I think giving yourself grace, outsourcing when it makes sense, and finding comfort in ambiguity have been my guiding principles.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a freelance marketer, and primarily help brands with organic social media, but have experience in a variety of marketing niches (paid social, copywriting, content creation, branding, etc.). Additionally, I am a printmaker and use the blockprinting method to create unique pieces of art on paper and textiles. I’m most proud of the person I’m becoming on this journey and the people I’m collecting along the way. 🙂
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the Twin Cities—there’s a reason it’s become my home for the last decade. 😉 The food, music, art, and people keep me here.
Sometimes I wish Minnesotans were less clique-y. It can be hard for people to break through here!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fuzzyrockscreative.co/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/fuzzyrockscreative
- Other: https://ciarajmetzger.com/
Image Credits
Ciara at a coffee shop. (Photo by Folks of Minnesota)
