My passion is my art; I love being a designer and a florist. But the business side of my work is much trickier for me. I get so involved in the creative process that I forget to consider cost. Many years ago, when my business was deep in debt, I realized that if I didn’t get smart about business, I wouldn’t be able to keep creating my art. If I didn’t design, I didn’t know what I would do: I design, because I have no other skills. Even if I never got another client again and had to do something else for work, I know I’d keep daydreaming of heavenly event spaces; I can’t help it. Maybe some of you can relate.
Juggling your art with business savvy is hard, but here are three tips I’ve learned along the way. I hope they help you as they’ve helped me:
1. TRUST in your ability to create. Some artists buy into the lie that being an artist is only reserved for a select few. But if creating your art makes you feel alive, then you are an artist.
2. Be WORTHY. When we create from our hearts, our creations have worth. Do not let anyone tell you differently. And always, always charge what you’re worth. Don’t short change yourself or your art.
3. Making MONEY is also an art form. Embrace this truth.
The bottom line is that if you are an artist who believes in your worth and your creations, you will become a great business person. It really is as simple as that.
Dear Readers, are you charging what you’re worth? Do you see yourself first as an artist and second as a business person? Or, do you recognize that you must give to both equally?
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Renae
January 23, 2012
Well said Preston. We’ve been having this conversation a lot lately within our team and had settled on this metaphor;
You don’t hire a plumber to come into your home to fix your plumbing issue because he can do it cheaper than you can. No. You hire him/her because he possesses a skill set, knowledge and experience to do the job both effectively and efficiently with as little stress and inconvenience to your life.
The same is true of event designers and planners. We possess a very distinct skill set that brings event visions to life with as little stress and frustration to the client. We are professionals and therefore are worthy workman whom are compensated appropriately for the service and product we provide.
TWP
January 23, 2012
This is great thanks for the advice..!
TWP
January 23, 2012
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY?
Corrine O'Neill
January 23, 2012
Hi Preston,
To expand on my tweet, I do not consider myself an artist or a designer; though I design for a living. I consider myself a business person.
I see “Buds and Blooms -Elegant Accoutrements” as a business. My role within the company is so much more than “artist”; if I just created all day I wouldn’t have a job. I have no safety net, or any second options so I am keenly aware that every decision made needs benefit the business.
That’s not to say that I do not enjoy the design work (I do), or that I produce anything less than high quality product. It’s just to say that my function is that of person making a living.
I don’t see my (small, but growing), business any differently than a larger bridal or fashion design house. When you’re an independent “artist” people want to negotiate, and managing expectations is difficult.
Framing myself as a business person has allowed me to unapologetically say…these select (200 + designs) are what I produce, and these are the prices. I don’t have to manage expectations (which distract from the big picture, my business), and I don’t have to negotiate.
Obviously this approach won’t work for many people, but it works for me. This perspective has allowed me to grow my business and kept me grounded.
Just my two cents
Corrine
Janel Keen
January 23, 2012
Boy I relate and thank you for sharing this! I’ve been working in the Arts since I was 16 (since 1989) and for that last 20 (gulp) years I’ve received my degree in Art, certifications in floral design, and years upon years of work in museums, entertainment, and events – I can not imagine doing anything else but nothing has been so difficult as switching gears between creating and earning a living with a profitable business. I recently meet you and one of the things you spoke of that rang so true to me, “falling in love” with and event and “giving it away”. Thank you again for reminding me to let my creative spirit fly while making a realistic living
Rowaida Flayhan
January 23, 2012
This is so beautiful Thank you for sharing. Wish you great success.
Janet Mohapi-Banks
January 23, 2012
Great post as always Preston, and I think that this is the reason that so many businesses fail; they don’t fully embrace the business side of their business!
If a “Creative” really can’t get their head around it I would suggest getting a business partner in to run that side so, as the Creative, they are free to create whilst their partner deals with the numbers etc.
One of the hardest thing to get right is setting the right price. I was horrified to learn that a fellow Cake Designer was charging as little as £15 for her bespoke cakes. That’s less than a tenth of the amount I charge. I realise that I am a luxury brand and she isn’t but even so, she must have been paying herself considerably less than Minimum Wage. Bespoke artists, be it cakes, stationery or flowers, cannot compete with supermarkets or mass production high street chains on their price. It is a different level of product and should be priced as such.
David Garcia
January 23, 2012
I absolutely agree that people should charge what they are worth, however I find it difficult at times concidering area. I having an art backround fell into floral design and was trained in central florida. I relocated to Chicago and freelanced at the large companies gaining more experience in technique and style. When i relocated 3 years ago to the central texas area, i just thought that my design style stood out amoungst all the traditional work produced in the area. Being from large metropolitan cities i feel has worked to my disadvantage. I never felt as though my work was over priced, in fact i feel my work is underpriced concidering the technique, skill and product quality in comparission to my competitors. My challenge is pulling these clients from their usage of traditional florist and stepping outside the box with an open mind. I do offer traditional designs however i prefer to push the boundaries, i just dont get the oppertunity to do so since i feel clients are afraid to pay the extra buck for something extravagant.
Renee
January 23, 2012
As usual Preston your posts come at a timely moment for me.
I have been thinking all morning about benchmarking and quality work.
I want to ask a question to your readers in relation to the ‘trust in your ability to create’ point. How do you get that trust, how do you benchmark your quality designs against others, how do you know that what you do is good, quality work?
I ask this from a position of a start up business – I don’t have a back-log of clients who can attest for my work. I understand that it takes time to establish a business, but any business person would know that if you aren’t selling a decent product (quality or price wise) then being in business isn’t going to work.
How do you make the call to know whether you are selling a quality product(service)?
Bailey
January 24, 2012
I believe that our society offers countless opportunities. So many, in fact that it is sometimes difficult to determine whether these opportunities that one chooses to pursue is truely their passion in life. I am currently a college student studying communications/PR. As adolecents, we are often told what to do, how to do it, and every aspect of our lives is handed to us without much room for adjusment or thought. I believe in passion and finding that one thing that makes you thrive. Whether that be an artist or a business person it is the search and journey that are important!
Ruchi oswal
January 24, 2012
Very well said.
Ruchi oswal
Celebrations by Ruchi
Teri
January 24, 2012
As always you are on point Preston. I would love to charge my worth but the clients I keep getting are the clients that don’t want to spend more the $500-$1000 for my services. How do I go about attracting the clients that want to spend more the $5000 +?