This is the fourth in our ongoing series of interviews with past and present GPS collaborators. The first three were interviews with Renee Cascia, Tony Randel, and Ben Epstein (with a 2nd part). All these interviews focus on each party’s professional relationship with Greasy Pig Studios, their own careers, and most importantly, on the relationship between clients and freelancers.

This time we interview Jon Hoenig, entrepreneur and creator of two projects GPS worked on: Kameelperd (motion graphic as well as website) and Grandma’s “House” Dressing. This interview actually took place months ago, so I apologize to everyone especially Jon for only putting it up now.

Greasy Pig Studios: Please describe yourself and your business.

Jon Hoenig: I am a 28 year old serial entrepreneur, writer & designer having successfully designed and launched multiple brands including Obastid Apparel (2003), Bastid Beer Co (2004), Kameelperd (2009), Grandma’s House Dressing (2009) and the screenplay “Six Buoys” (in progress). University of Connecticut, BS Architecture and Planning 2005, Pepperdine University MBA Entrepreneurial Management candidate 2010.

Describe how you came upon using Greasy Pig Studios’ services, and what we ended up doing for you.

While working on a marketing plan project for Cisco Systems through the Pepperdine MBA program I had the idea of a cartoon advertisement to be used for a web marketing campaign. I posted an ad on craigslist and within a few minute I had over 50 respondents to choose from. I responded to Arvin’s reply and we hit it off right away. He created my cartoon within my student budget and helped me achieve a first class presentation with his cartoon as the culmination. After this Arvin helped me develop a number of my entrepreneurial ideas and graphics for my clothing label “Kameelperd” and my salad dressing label “Grandma’s House Dressing” which are in the in the late development stages now getting ready to launch this winter and spring 2012 respectively.

Any interesting trivia/anecdotes about our working relationship?

Arvin and I hit it off from the very beginning being able to communicate very efficiently. He always turned my vision into a reality beyond what I could describe.

I made the mistake of having another artist attempt to create my dressing label because I did not know that GPStudios did this type of work. After receiving a very sub par piece of artwork I contacted Arvin who turned my project around 180 degrees.

Please describe what, to you, makes for a good client/contractor relationship. How can the freelancer make sure to satisfy the client, and how can the client get the most bang for their buck?

Communication is key! Entrepreneurs are very needy and want to see fast results and have all the little “quick” email questions and ideas responded to in real time. The freelancer, in this case GPStudios, is very accommodating to idea changes and revisions. There were no surprises in the end cost since all revision schedules and costs were worked out in the original contract.

What are your tips for someone in your field, just starting out?

Build a good relationship with contractors from the beginning and try to use them throughout all of your projects. It will pay off for both parties in the long run.

What are your preferred methods of communication when it comes to your work? How actively do you market and advertise your services, and via what methods?

Email and to me phone calls are a must since many emotions get skewed through text.

Is there anything you’ve been up to recently that you’d like the readers to know about?

I recently finished my first screenplay. (Six Buoys) “I figured hey if I’m living in Hollywood for three years of my life then I might as well act the part and write something right? When in Romania….”

Jon and I have been working together for over a year now and we’ve got more projects in the pipeline. As always, you know where to go to see the latest and greatest (if/when I remember to update!) In the meantime, don’t forget to check out the GPS-designed (and independently awesome) site for Kameelperd.