Start & Run an Art Teaching Business. Tanya Freedman

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СКАЧАТЬ that time, a parent of one of my students had asked me if I offered summer camp programs. It was March so I thought, “Why not?” It seemed right to expand my business. I took the initiative to plan and prepare a unique summer camp program. I had plenty of committed campers interested in joining and could therefore cover the costs of additional staff.

      The last day of camp coincided with a seven-year-old boy’s birthday. With a little extra planning, having selected special balloons and games to celebrate the official end of summer as well as his special day, the celebration was a success, and I was complimented for being able to organize such an event. Everyone could see I was a skilled professional. Could I organize another birthday party for the younger sibling, too? From there I added custom birthday parties to my menu of programs.

      Creative Visualization

      If you are ready to conceptualize your business from an exciting idea to a living, breathing enterprise, start by using creative visualization. Some call it affirmation, while others see it as becoming attuned to the collective unconscious in which we are all connected to one another somehow.

      Although I did not realize that what I was doing was called “creative visualization,” I found this exercise to be of immense benefit while I was starting my business. It gave me the certainty and courage to forge ahead.

      Beyond writing down goals that may at the beginning be uncertain, creative visualization can help you see deeply into your new future.

      You may be skeptical and view this as a waste of your precious time, or you may see this as a chance for meditation. Think of it as creating your ideal painting on a virgin canvas, as opening yourself up to a realm of new possibilities. This exercise should only take you half an hour to an hour. At the price of some of your time and effort you may gain peace of mind and fire yourself up to achieve those dreams. Behind every successful business, there’s a tenacious entrepreneur who did not quit or give up on his or her vision.

      Setting goals

      In order to get to the place you strive toward, you have to set realistic and achievable goals and write them down. This makes them real and tangible. Your action list should include only those actions that take you a step closer to your goals. Eliminate everything else. Stay on track and avoid being diverted from your goals, being distracted, or making excuses.

      I experienced a great sense of accomplishment when I came across a list of goals I had prepared in my business school years. Despite the fact that some of the goals had seemed unattainable at the time, I was proud to see that I had achieved many of them. I was able to check off the following from my list:

      • Found and run a successful art school

      • Exhibit and sell my artwork internationally

      • Be published in fiction and nonfiction

      • Write how-to books

      • Promote and teach business techniques

      • Mentor others

      • Participate in professional speaking forums and seminars

      • Run workshops

      • Interview people and be interviewed

      Even though I had not referred to the long-forgotten list in years, the actual process of writing down the goals had engraved them into my psyche. But like everything in life, my list has evolved and has factored in the reality of juggling family and business life.

      Years ago my ideal goals may have seemed unachievable, but within the first year or two of founding Jolly Good Art I was able to achieve many of them. So I know that far-fetched dreams can come true, but my current list of goals does take into account the reality of my life, priorities, and choices.

      When you are setting your goals, include enough details to show you a clear way forward, who your market and target audience is, and a reasonable time line.

      Identifying Your Experiences and Transferable Skills

      “If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” This adage stresses the importance of laying the strongest foundation possible for your business idea so it can develop into reality and succeed despite all the odds.

      Conceptualizing, conducting market research, and preparing a business plan go together. You are preparing a canvas or a clod of clay. You are projecting a vision in your mind, and planning what you want to achieve in the short and long term. An artist may start with a small idea that grows into a series of artwork, or an inspired sketch that results in a wall-to-wall masterpiece. You are cutting your teeth, making the most of your strengths and transferable skills, and feeling your way toward the start line. Be a sponge: Get exposed to different concepts and become inspired by those you admire. Be flexible and prepare to go with the flow of where your creativity and new ideas lead you.

      Some people gain experience in their desired field of art before starting up their own art business. Some buy a business or franchise, or hatch a brand new business. Some either achieve moderate or fantastic success — or fold within the first three to five years. They may not have planned thoroughly, utilized all of their strengths, or enlisted expert help during the crucial start-up phase.

      At the conception phase of Jolly Good Art I took the time to list my experiences and transferable skills. I was also determined to concentrate on what I absolutely loved to do.

      Identifying your experiences and transferable skills is an important step to finding the area of business that you will excel at. For example, my friend Elizabeth began her business by teaching her children how to sew. Eventually parents of her children’s friends were asking Elizabeth to teach their children. She now has six stores and is sponsored by a major sewing machine company.

      What can you glean from your past and present? Which passions burn brightly? If you picked up this book and are anything like me, you probably get lots of inspiration from anything connected with art, such as TV programs, instructional videos, and books about the art masters. This is a significant clue that you might consider becoming an art teacher.

      How you can turn your creativity into a business

      Self-expression through visual art and through the written word are my parallel loves. My own art career started when I opened myself up to new and uncharted territories. A local minister’s wife loved my custom thank-you card, which I had produced from one of my original paintings, and she asked if I taught art. Could I do a watercolor demonstration at the next ladies’ social? Absolutely. I prepared for it, got all the materials ready, and did my best. It was well received; I even inspired some of the ladies to return to their long-forgotten interest in creating art. (One of these ladies now sells her artwork nationally!)

      Next, I was asked if I could run classes at the local community center. Through these community contacts my database of interested clients grew larger. That is how simply it started for me. Word spread, and my students’ siblings, friends, and school classmates wanted to create their own artwork to be proud of. Within seven months of registering my business I seriously contemplated expanding to an even larger studio.

      Being open to opportunities and suggestions, and trying something new outside of your comfort zone may pay dividends. Pay close attention to the situations in which you thrive. If you find yourself constantly СКАЧАТЬ