Starting as an entrepreneur
So, hi… This is my first blogpost. Ever. But I figure during this pandemic with almost no one to actually talk to I have to vent my idea’s somewhere right?
First things first; since you don't know me, I’m a 36 old Dutch artist and designer from Hengelo, the east of the Netherlands. Nice to meet you 😁.
The reason I’m starting to blog now is because I just started my own business. I lost my job 3 months ago and I saw this as an opportunity to do something I really feel excited about! I worked as a digital designer for a marketing company and I’ve just started working there for a couple of months but sadly it didn't work out. Apparently I have a strong opinion about a lot of things and also about how I think certain processes should go within a company. But I’m not going to get into that right now. That’s not why I’m here!
I’m actually glad that I got fired. It wasn't the best timing because I would have liked to give this ‘business thing’ more thought but beggars can’t be choosers right? 😉
The one thing I really wanted to do was make art. I’m an educated artist but graduated in Crossmedia Design which is kinda the new Graphic Design, only you learn more about other media’s like bookbinding and photography. After graduation I started working as a graphic designer and later as a UX/UI designer.
I recently started to paint with watercolors and I enjoy it so much I was wondering if I could make it into a business. So when I got fired I gave myself a choice. I can start working at another company with the risk of being forced into another way to work and follow processes and getting more and more annoyed and frustrated about things I didn't like, or I could gather some guts and start my own business.
I like to spread some risk so I decided to work as a freelancer and as an artist. Because I had my first client before I started I figured this was a good way to earn some money because I really do like designing stuff. I knew opening a shop and getting people to know me and my work would take time so I’m giving it time. Putting in the work and the hours while I work as a freelancer give me SO much satisfaction! I’m working on something that is only mine and I enjoy the responsibility that comes with it.
Some people ask me why I call myself an entrepreneur and not an artist. Because I make art. Well I see it this way: as an entrepreneur I take care of all aspects of my business, producing, marketing, SEO, text writing, reproductions, managing orders, etc. I’m not solely focusing on my art. But in this way I guess all artists are also entrepreneurs, right!
Well, I hope you enjoyed my thoughts. I’ll be back with more about being an artist and entrepreneur.
Bye!
