How to run your art business whilst working full time & parenthood - Video series / Intro
Here you can find the Intro video of the new YouTube series on how to run your art business whilst working full time + parenthood.
Enjoy
Or if you prefer to read, here's the video transcript:
While navigating the complexities of managing my art business, a full-time job and motherhood, I realised I wasn't alone in this struggle.
So many artists face similar challenges, juggling their passion with their profession an maybe some little ones running in the background as well.
So how am I making it work?
This inspired me to create a video series designed for artists like you – those who are deeply passionate about their art but also have other significant commitments.
The idea is to create a resource that is free, digestible and accommodating of a busy schedule.
I remembered how I felt overwhelmed and constantly behind in the creators' groups and classes I joined years ago.
I see you struggling there, and I wanted to offer a guide that could be followed at your own pace, without adding to the pressure.
But maybe you’re asking: Why am I here talking about art business while I still work full time?
Or how can my art business be successful if I’m still working full time?
These are very good question. And I want answer them before I jump in all the rest…
I have defined a series of priorities for my life, building a home and growing our family just to name a couple. Knowing who I am, I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing these things without a reliable pay check to fall on.
I’m not going to share publicly all the details of how much I make in my art business or my daily job or what our expenses are as a family, but I also want to add that because I live abroad I do not have the support of my family for childcare or if I was to need help. So this current set up feels safe for us.
Your circumstances might be different, or very similar, and the great thing about running your art business is that it’s really your business, and you decide when and how you’re ready to jump.
There are so many ways you can do this… you just have to … do it! Which I know is the hardest part and probably why you’re here.
Over the years I had conversations with a lot of people about the fact I do art shows while working full time. Or how did I manage to prepare a body of work (and sell it) while I had my baby and returning to work.
Well, the key is: I’m extremely focused on my goal, so I make time for it. This is my obsession, and what my brain constantly thinks about. But, at the same time, I also want to take a nap :D
So I decided to create this video series, as a comprehensive guide to starting and managing an art business for those with limited time. It covers everything from time management, marketing to legal basics.
The series is structured to be easy to follow, with practical tips and real-life examples.
I'll share insights on balancing day-to-day life with your artistic pursuits, setting achievable goals, and making the most of the limited time you have.
I’m going to release 5 more videos with specific focus on:
-
Time Management and Staying Motivated
- Pricing and Financing Your Art
- Marketing and Instagram 101 for Artists
- Setting Up an Online Store and Email List + Legal Basics
- Finding Your Unique Style and Art selling style
At the end of I’ll host a Q&A session as well, to answer your questions, so you can leave comments here below or DM me on Instagram, send me an email, whatever works for you.
But let’s start from the beginning, shall we?
Many artists dream of making a living from their art, but then the realities of daily life hit you. How will I have time to create? How do I juggle everything?
I’ve been doing this for the last 7 years, without baby before, through pregnancy and now with a toddler.
And I believe that with the right approach, even the busiest artist can find ways to thrive in their artistic, personal and professional lives.
In this video series I'll share my personal journey of starting my art business while working full time and motherhood.
I'll reveal the lessons I learned, the challenges I faced, and how I managed to balance everything.
My story is about perseverance, strategic planning, and the ultimate and unconditional love for art.
“Dreams cost nothing except the effort of getting close to them” /
“I sogni non costano nulla se non la fatica di andarci vicino”
- Paolo Crepet
If you want to know my personal story, you can find it here, linked in the video description.
you should know that my love for painting began as a child, but it was always something I did for myself, my personal escape of colours and creativity. While if was a dream to sell my art, I never believed it was possible.
However, in 2016, things changed and I realised that my art could be more than just a hobby; it could be a viable source of income and joy, I could make this happen. This epiphany wasn't just about money; it was about connecting with others through my art and bringing colours into their lives, and it was about being fully who I am, an artist.
So I took the plunge and started my art business. Balancing my full-time job with this new venture wasn't easy. There were days when I felt like I was living two lives – one in the structured world of my day job and the other in the free-flowing, vibrant world of my art. This dual life was challenging, but it taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, time management, and the importance of pursuing my passion.
When I started, I joined few online course to learn how to set up your passive income with online course, how to market yourself, how to collect emails and so on… and somehow I always fell behind. I had a lot of work to do, and all these courses were going crazy fast. And it was because I did not have free days to dedicate to my online course. I realised I barely had an hour a day sometimes. And there was A LOT to do. Too much. It made me feel like I was failing. But I wasn’t.
It’s very important for you to celebrate your circumstances, to value them, because realistically, this is going to take a while. If you have a family and a full time job, this will take a while, but it’s ok, because in the meantime you can refine your goals, you can adjust your trajectory based on your timing.
All the work you see online, all the courses I have, all the artworks, my Instagram account, all of that is years in the making, years of work. Also when nobody was buying my art. Also when I was loosing followers. Also when my email list was shrinking.
As I said in before, I’m going to have dedicated videos in the upcoming months, and on purpose, they aren’t coming out all together. Because this will take time. But if you start seeing yourself there, wherever there is for you, then it will be easier!
But in the meantime, what did I learn over the last few years?
One of the first things I learned on this journey was the importance of treating my art not just as a passion but as a business.
Have a specific bank account, write down expenses and what you make.
Delegate what you can’t do or don’t want to do.
Create a business plan with specific goals.
For example, do you want to sell your art only? Do you want to create courses? Do you want to work with galleries?
Every artists is different, and the way you decide to sell your art is specific to you.
These are important decisions to make, because at this moment in time there a lot of different ways to sell your art, a lot of online opportunities and platforms to support you, but in reality you can’t do everything. I mean, you can, but quite likely won’t have time to try them all.
Do you want to create a YouTube account and teach online? Or would you rather work with local galleries?
These are two very valid options but they also require a very different approach.
And if you’re working full time or are a parent, realistically, you won’t be able to do everything.
So think about your previous experiences, have you already sold your art? For example, you sold art at a Christmas market. Did you like the experience? Did you sell something? Would you see yourself selling at other markets?
And on top of that… what was the cost of being at the market, how much did you make? How many markets would you have to make a year to be self sufficient?
Maybe while doing this exercise you see that you would have to be at 100 markets a year to make a living. So what are your options here? Either you raise your prices or add … let’s say online print making to your plan. So you don’t have to drive around the country like a crazy artist to a gazillion of markets.
The last thing I want to touch on for today is the fact that your consistency in doing this work, is what will make the difference in the long run.
Success rarely happens overnight. Learning to be patient and persistent was key to my growth as an artist, and that reflected in my online presence and sales.
To all the artists out there who are working full time, perhaps even raising a family – know that it is possible to make a business out of your art. It requires being smart, focused, and patient, not just with your business but with yourself.
Your art deserves to be seen and appreciated. With dedication and strategic planning, you can turn your passion into a thriving business. Remember, it's not about finding more time; it's about making the most of the time you have. You got this.
I’ll see you in the next video about Time Management and how to Stay Motivated
Ciao ciao
