It feels especially important during these uncertain times to take a moment and reflect on the incredible women who have helped me and my art business in immeasurable ways.
Terry Eldridge
The very first person who I want to tell you about is Terry Edridge of Zenso Creative. I truly believe that God sent her to give me the motivation and tools that would take me to the next place in my career. I had been thinking about creating online painting classes for years, but I had absolutely no idea what that would take or even where to start. Then one day a friend introduced me to Terry who just so happened to have spent the last year researching exactly how to do everything. It was meant to be. Terry took me under her wing. She told me what equipment I needed to buy, how to film lessons, and how to host the classes I would create. She did the hard work that I might have never done for myself.
Terry is an incredibly generous person when it comes to her time, her knowledge and her friendship.
She has been my biggest cheerleader through the whole process of creating my courses and learning how to market them. She is also determined and enthusiastic. She wants me and all the other artists that she works with to succeed.
I don’t know where I would be today if I didn’t have Terry in my life. I had to cancel all my in-person workshops last spring when the pandemic started. Because I already had my classes online, I was never worried. I knew what I needed to do and I went all-in on the online part of my business. This is the direction that the world is going and she prepared me in advance.
If you are ready to start teaching your art online, I cannot stress enough how much I recommend Terry’s assistance. She has a training program designed specifically for you with all the tools you need. You can learn more about it here.
Kim Garnett
Not only did Terry share her expertise with me, but she also introduced me to another incredible women who has also forever changed how I run my business, Kim Garnett. Kim (aka Brainy Girl) is a business coach, as well as an expert in designing and marketing online courses. Kim tells me exactly what I need to do to move forward in my career. She challenges me when I need it and gives me the motivation to do the things that I might have otherwise set aside. She helps me to focus on the what is most important when it feels like I’m going in too many directions. So many artists struggle to make a living with with their talents. Most artists don’t know how to run a business. We just want to create. Kim is willing to give me an honest critique when I need it. Her suggestions and advice have helped me to reach my goals in my new pursuit of teaching online.
Kim has a mind for marketing and sales. She has taught me to remember to give first and sell later.
I should always be looking for ways to serve my students and find out what their needs are so that I can help. These are not things that you learn in art school where the common theme is self expression. Having this helpful and serving mentality is not only a good way to approach business but it’s also a good way to look at life. I am so grateful for all that Kim has taught me over the past year.
Jaime Barks
Another person who I want to mention is my friend and fellow artist Jaime Barks. Jaime is an amazing painter and she also happens to live a few blocks away from me. Jaime and I relate on so many levels. We are both solo entrepreneurs with elementary school kids and husbands who work in the “real world”. We both are constantly looking for new ways to succeed as artists. We go for runs and meet for lunch where we talk shop. We tell each other about what is working in our art businesses and what isn’t. We motivate each other to just keep going and do the hard stuff. Jaime also knows way more about social media and overall pop culture than I do so she fills me in on all the stuff I don’t understand. It can be lonely to work by yourself. I feel lucky to have a friend like Jaime who I can connect with.
I have been able to launch my art company forward during a turbulent year because of the support I have found in these strong women.
I am so grateful for their expertise, their guidance, and their friendship. I think that the most successful people get there because they aren’t afraid to ask for help when they need it. Over the past year I have been able to strengthen my relationships, learn new skills and accomplish so much that I could have never done alone.