Sharing What We’ve Learned: Building a Profitable Creative Business and Helping Others Do the Same
When people learn that I run a profitable business making art for a living, I get a lot of questions about how I did it.
Friends know me as someone who thinks of time as the most valuable asset, and lives accordingly. I don’t work on my business full-time these days, yet it has sustained me and supported team members’ lifestyles too – for almost a decade.
This is why over the years, I’ve met with freelancers and small business owners of all kinds, offering ideas and helping them navigate their own paths. I’ve suggested time-saving tools, mentored artists, provided paid training for those stepping into live work environments. As I’ve grown and learned, I’ve done my best to bring others along with me. As others have brought me along.
There’s no question that the need for this kind of knowledge—practical, experience-based insight on building a creative career—is real, especially as people look to follow their passions into careers. I am proud to know several creatives and friends who make themselves available as mentors. And happy to be at the stage in my own career where – even as I believe I will be learning forever – I do have a few answers.
For me, the foundation of my creative business comes down to four things:
Establishing Personal Values – Before anything else, I had to define what truly matters to me. My values guide every decision I make, from the kind of work I take on to the clients I collaborate with, to how much I travel on airplanes.
Getting Clear on My Talent and Where I Add Value – I had to understand where my skills solved problems, where my work was most impactful, and how to position my business in the market. Yes, I love to make art. But I also understand both the art and corporate sides of things, and have a keen sense for communication. That puts me in a position to effectively connect artists and corporate clients to add value on both sides. When I spend my time doing mostly that work, I make impact I am especially proud of.
Deciding How I Want to Use My Time vs. How I Have to Use It – Running a business means balancing passion with practicality. Some tasks are essential but not exciting, and that’s okay. If you ask around, even the folks you know with the most glamorous-seeming work days do work that isn’t as “sexy”. It’s there, they just may not talk about it. Structuring my time wisely allows me to do it all.
Prioritizing a Workflow That Matches All of the Above – As the industry shifts, as my passions evolve, as my team has ebbed and flowed, so does my workflow. I’ve learned to adjust, refining my processes to keep my work sustainable and fulfilling.
Over the years, much has changed—both in the industry and in my own desires. The reasons I love what I do have evolved, and my business has shifted to reflect that. But at the core, my approach remains the same: build with intention, adapt when necessary, and bring others along in the process.
If you’re an artist looking to build a sustainable practice, or someone who wants to explore the business of art in a way that aligns with your life, I’d love to connect. ind me on LinkedIn. Let’s continue creating spaces where growth and mentorship go hand in hand.
–Leah, UWS Founder
