Some people refer to me as a freelancer, but that label has never felt right. I am an artist, designer, and illustrator, but more importantly, I am the business owner of two distinct brands: Chairman Ting and Billion Buns.
Unlike a freelancer, I operate within a corporate structure that carries significant legal and tax obligations. I manage two full-time salaried employees, including myself, as well as a handful of contractors. Because I am on a formal payroll, I receive a bi-weekly salary and vacation pay regardless of my daily output. The reality of managing CPP, EI, and corporate taxes at both the provincial and federal levels is a fundamentally different responsibility than the life of a freelancer, who typically operates within the calendar year and is not responsible for the maintenance of an entire corporate entity.
Both Denise and I have been on Chairman Ting’s payroll for 10 years and counting and we’re so grateful that we’re able to make a decent living as artists in one of the most expensive cities in the country and globally.
