I've been intending to write these posts for a while. I seem to remember that I first had the idea while watching a TV programme last Autumn about successful entrepreneurs; specifically the reasons why some people are driven to set up their own business - to become an entrepreneur - and the qualities or characteristics you'll need in order to run a successful business.
I thought it may be interesting to talk about my personal experiences with you, and what I've learned along the way. I certainly don't know it all - far from it - and every day I feel as if I'm still learning so much myself. In fact, I always think of myself as being at the beginning of my career - yes, I've been creating and selling art for several years now, but I still have a huge amount I would like to do and I hope that I'll be able to grow my business far beyond the level it's at right now. Even though I tend to be quite open on the blog and on twitter about my plans, I actually have many ideas for the future that I've never discussed in public!
I know that this is probably going to be a fairly lengthy blog because of the subject matter, and this is one reason I've been putting off sitting down to write it! One thing you'll discover if you run your own business is that there are never enough hours in the day or days in the week - no matter how organised you are. I still find it hard to come to terms with this. With this in mind (and for your ease of reading) I've decided to divide it up into three separate posts.
Anyway, let's go back to the beginning. I think I always knew that one day I would work for myself. For years I had other jobs alongside my art, usually on a part-time basis so I could earn some 'regular' money each week while still having time to concentrate on my art and slowly build my career. Most artists have to do this - I would think it's incredibly rare to be able to make a living entirely from your art from the very beginning.
However, there are some people who just have an overwhelming desire to work for themselves and to not be at the beck and call of an employer, and I'm one of them. The '9-5' life is just not for me. I've been there, done that, watched the clock, almost died of boredom...you get the picture. Ok, there are some positive aspects about working for others, and if it's a job where you have a certain amount of freedom and creativity, it can be fun. I once worked in a little independent clothes shop for two days each week, and I loved it. I have an interest in fashion and style, I enjoyed creating the window displays, I had a great employer, and I even got a thrill from each sale I made. It also ensured that I spent at least two days out of the house, away from my studio, and actually meeting people. If you're an artist you'll know how important that is, because we often work alone - hours and days can sometimes go by without communicating with anyone outside of the house or studio (depending upon where you work). But basically, I'm just the type of person who likes to be my own boss. I don't like answering to other people, I like to think that I can choose my days off, hours of work, or holidays (within reason) without consulting someone else, and I really really like to do things my own way. Some see this as stubborness, I see it as having a clear vision. ;)
Honestly? I don't like being told what to do. I never have, and probably never will. Listening to the advice of others is one thing, being a little monkey to an organ grinder is quite another. If I'm going to be a hard-working little monkey, I also want to play the role of organ grinder too.
Anyway, I digress. What I really want to say is that nothing compares to working for yourself or running your own business. You shouldn't underestimate the huge amount of hard work it will take to succeed, but the sense of achievement you'll feel when things are going well or when one of your goals is reached is immense. I find that I still get excited about the smallest things, because when you work for yourself, everything you achieve is as a result of your time and effort, your talent, and your ideas. I actually feel as if I should be honest with you here: if you happen to be a bit work shy, a bit too fond of having a very active social life, or perhaps you're bad at motivating yourself without someone behind you, or making decisions on your own, then the self-employed life is not for you. I thought I worked hard for other people, but it doesn't come close to the amount of hours I spend working on my business now - or the amount of effort I put in. There are times I've been so overwrought and exhausted at the end of the day that I haven't known what to do with myself, and that's no exaggeration. Like I said, it's not for the faint-hearted, and you have to really love what you do in order to be able to find the required time and energy (both physically and mentally) that you'll need to make it a success. If you have a real passion for your business, you'll find that this will see you through many tough times.
So, we've established so far that you need to have an overwhelming desire to work for yourself, a great idea, talent or skill (preferably all three), and that you really shouldn't be a work-shy fop. In Part Two, I'll write about the 'ins and outs' of what it's like to run your own business - the good, the bad (and probably the ugly) - and the problems I've encountered along the way.
Watch this space (or at the very least, this blog). See you soon!
(Edit: By the way, I'm still in Paris - I decided to stay an extra week. Leon didn't want me to leave, I didn't want to go back home yet...et voila!)
