Miya Najou: How It Starts ✍️

Hey, Patreon Members! 👋

Hope you’re all doing great!

For those who’ve been waiting and are curious about my story—this is it! I’ll be sharing my background, interests, and how Miya Najou started here on Patreon.

Let’s begin!

The Creator Behind Miya Najou Patreon

I’m a 27-year-old guy working a corporate job while living with my parents. I graduated with a degree in Information Technology, and now I work in a company that builds websites and mobile apps. We offer system solutions for clients, and I lead a team of developers.

I started as a regular developer, worked hard, and got promoted to team leader. But over time, I started feeling less motivated. I wasn’t getting any new promotions, and I’m not sure if my efforts were being appreciated. On top of that, my salary isn’t enough to cover my expenses.

So I asked myself—am I really happy with this life?

That’s when I decided to look for a side hustle. After work, I started exploring different ways to earn extra income.

Trying Different Side Hustles

I first tried creating content about mobile games like League of Legends. I loved playing 5v5 matches and admired the game’s top-tier graphics. I even dreamed of working for them! I posted videos on YouTube, learned to edit and make thumbnails—but it didn’t work out. I wasn’t good enough to compete with pro players or make funny content that went viral.

So I moved on.

Then I tried anime content because I’ve always loved anime—especially the storytelling and creativity of Japanese animation. I posted anime clips and unboxed merchandise I bought from events. Some of my edited clips got lots of views, and I thought I’d finally found my thing.

But when I became eligible for monetization on YouTube, I was rejected due to copyright issues. That was tough—I had been posting for 6 months.

So again, I moved on.

Next, I tried TikTok affiliate marketing. I made videos for TikTok Shop and earned a bit in my first month. But over time, my sales dropped and no one, not even my followers, bought anything anymore.

So I kept searching.

Then I tried mixing web development and anime. I created projects and posted them on a local eCommerce site and BuyMeACoffee. I got only two buyers after 6 months. It felt like a dead end, even though I had the skills.

Once again—I moved on.

When I Found the Right Path…

As you can see, I tried many side hustles—but none of them worked.

It was frustrating. I started to lose hope.

But then… something finally clicked.

How Miya Najou Started on Patreon

Before starting my own content, I used to be just like you—browsing Pixiv, Twitter (X), and Facebook for awesome AI anime art. I admired many creators and even messaged them asking what tools they used. Some said Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, etc., but they rarely shared full details or tutorials.

Like you, I supported some artists on Patreon and BOOTH, but I noticed some issues—many creators had inconsistent schedules or didn’t listen to their supporters’ requests.

I told myself, “One day, I want to make AI anime art too.”

So I started learning. I discovered a site called CivitAi, where creators share custom LoRAs and teach how to generate AI art. It’s all about experimentation—trying different prompts and tags to get the results you want.

Since I’m a visual learner and already had tech skills, I picked things up quickly. I used what I knew from my job—trial and error, problem-solving, and a love for learning. Plus, AI is connected to my field.

My first AI art? I posted it on Pixiv! You can still see it on my profile under Miya Najou. I was so happy!

It wasn’t perfect (hands and feet are always tricky!), but I loved the process. And I made sure to tell everyone that AI art takes time and effort.

I also tried posting on Pixiv Fanbox, but I got banned for not knowing they don’t allow AI-generated works. Later, Pixiv Booth banned my main account for posting uncensored content. So I created new accounts and learned from my mistakes.

Then I discovered Patreon.

I created a new creator account and started posting—and to my surprise, some of you joined my very first tier!

Shoutout to all the amazing members who’ve been here since December 2024! Thank you for your support!

At first, I only posted censored content to be safe. But then one member asked if I could post uncensored versions. I did some research and found that Patreon allows it, as long as it’s behind a paywall and not public.

So I gave it a try—and more members started joining!

Soon after, I launched the Premium Plan, and some Standard Plan members upgraded!

I asked myself again: “Does this make me happy?”

The answer?

Not just happy. I’m SUPER happy!

Here’s why:

• I turned my dream of making AI anime art into reality

• Out of all the side hustles I tried, Patreon and BOOTH gave me steady income

• Most of all, I enjoy making characters and sharing them with all of you!

Now, after 3 and a half months, I look forward every day to checking Patreon and posting new updates after work.

Once again—thank you so much for your support!

Bonus Content: My Future Plans!

(Thanks for reading this far!)

What will you do with your Patreon income?

I want to be transparent. I’ve been learning about financial literacy, and I read that you should reinvest in your side hustle to grow.

So my first goal is to buy my own laptop. Right now, I’m using my work laptop, which is a bit awkward for this kind of content. I’ll also use earnings for subscriptions and tools needed to create characters.

My goals for the future:

• Request system for paid members (under Mini CG Collections) – coming soon!

• Discord community – still learning how to manage this, but it’s in the works!

• New tier focused on digital products – similar benefits to the Premium Plan

• Educational Tier – For those who want to learn how to create AI anime art! This will include video tutorials, step-by-step exercises, and will be hosted on another platform (requires a higher-tier membership). I’ll also share the exact prompts I use for each character and give you a look at the behind-the-scenes process of how I generate them.

Are you excited for these upcoming plans?

Type “EXCITED” in the comments below!

All of this is possible because of YOU.

Thank you for believing in me and supporting my work!

See you in the next post!