3 Ideas to Overcome Imposter Syndrome as an Aspiring Art Entrepreneur
Starting your very first entrepreneurial venture might be daunting, particularly if your expertise lies in the arts rather than business strategy. Nevertheless, anyone with a drive for sharing their unique work with the world like we do at Uncommon Canvas Co can get their small business off the ground. Here are three suggestions to alleviate some of the anxiety and stress you might be feeling and make the journey more feasible.
Manifest an Entrepreneurial Mindset
As an artist, you inherently have skills such as problem-solving, creativity, self-expression, and critical thinking—all of this is transferable to your new role as a business person. While mastering entrepreneurial skills like leadership, negotiation, and strategic planning may take time, adopting an entrepreneurial mindset is doable more quickly than you might imagine. Here are some avenues to take to get you started:
Embrace Risk-taking
Understand that taking calculated risks is often necessary for growth and innovation. Start by stepping out of your comfort zone and gradually expanding your tolerance for uncertainty. I started Uncommon Canvas Co with the money from my lay-off severance check and have built it into a fun passion project.
Don’t Let Challenges Stop You
View setbacks and failures as opportunities for learning and growth rather than obstacles. Develop resilience and tenacity to persevere in the face of adversity. I like to think of my business much like a science experiment; I form a hypothesis, run the test, and report on the results. If I didn’t get what I was looking for I try to figure out why and try, try, again!
Network and Collaborate
Build relationships with other entrepreneurs, mentors, and artsy people in your area. Seek out opportunities for collaboration like artist conventions and small business networking events. I attend networking events around twice a month right now to sell my art, chat with people, and meet other artists and crafters. Building these relationships can open up avenues you never expected!
Focus on Value Creation
Shift your focus from making money to creating value for your customers. Understand their needs and strive to deliver products or services that meet or exceed their expectations. At Uncommon Canvas Co, the value is not just in the high quality lustre finish options and archival-quality inks we use on our prints, but in our work’s ability to emotionally resonate with those that put it in their homes. What does you art offer other than just being something to look at?
Stop Trying to Be Perfect
Entrepreneurs often fall into the trap of obsessing over perfecting every aspect of their business, from mastering search engine optimization (SEO) to crafting algorithm-proof content. The truth is, focusing excessively on achieving perfection can stunt progress. Running a successful business involves trial and error. You can never have errors (or successes) if you never close the podcast and actually try to implement something! Without taking risks and making attempts, they'll never have the opportunity to learn from your mistakes or capitalize on their victories. At Uncommon Canvas Co I don’t let myself learn about something for more than a few weeks before forcing myself to take a stab and try it! What can you try next?
Keep Expenses Low
If you're hesitating to launch your business due to the high expenses associated with it, you'll find reassurance in the of cost-effective advertising and fulfillment options available. Look for print vendors with low or no minimum order quantities and order prints and products as your customers purchase them. There are also numerous ways to promote your new venture without breaking the bank. Consider crafting informative blog posts for your business website, producing engaging videos for platforms like YouTube and TikTok, and sharing eye-catching short videos on various social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even LinkedIn.
Don’t Let Startup Jitters Keep You From Your Goals
While your expertise lies in art, it doesn't negate your entrepreneurial potential for launching your own business. Transitioning from an artist to an entrepreneur might not happen overnight, but your creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities will help you to confidently pursue business ownership. I was able to re-launch my art business after working full time as a graphic designer, and then a marketing coordinator, and learning how the mega corporations do it. Learn from the pros, meet folks like you, and just start!
Explore The Uncommon Canvas Co Shop to discover original artwork from an independent artist passionate about reviving your imagination through her work. Browse our art collection, delve into our blog, or reach out to us to learn more.
