Have an artistic hobby, talent, or skill you love to do in your spare time? Wish you could turn it into something that’s more than just a hobby, with the possibility of even making a livable wage? Entrepreneurship in creative fields is often overlooked as a possible career, yet provides many people with a great opportunity to do what they love.
There is no set definition of what a creative entrepreneur does; after all, creativity is in the name. Just a few examples include painting, photography, music, digital media, jewelry making and other crafts. Creative entrepreneurs can sell both products and/or services relating to their craft.
Entrepreneurs are business owners, whether they are the only employee or manage hundreds. This means that creative entrepreneurs carry the responsibility of not only perfecting their work but also handling the business side as well. Marketing, social media management, sales and shipping are all examples that fall under the umbrella of business management. No matter how amazing creative entrepreneurs’ art is, they can have trouble with the long term viability of their business if they only focus on the production side.
With the rise of technology, creative entrepreneurship has become a much more accessible field to enter. Websites like Etsy and Pinterest make selling creative products online easy. Anyone can reach hundreds of thousands of people around the world. Social media also plays an important role in entrepreneurship, as creatives are able to spread the word about what they have to offer.
Here are some steps you can take to kickstart your business.
1. Make a plan
Although it may sound straightforward, make sure that you know exactly what it is you’re selling and the goals you are trying to achieve. Questions like how you will source your product, how many you can produce, and the price point you will sell at are just a few that you should be able to answer before moving forward.
2. Keep track of finances
It’s important to make sure that the method you are using to sell your product is one that fits you best. Whether it be through a website, an online marketplace, or a store, do your research. Additionally, one you start making sales, keep track of the money that flows into your account.
3. Utilize social media!
No matter how great your product is, people won’t buy it if they don’t know about it. Be sure to spread the word on social media, and use marketing tools like ads on these platforms to further expand your reach.
There are plenty of examples of successful people who have made creative entrepreneurship their life, many of them Americans. The reality is, however, that success in this field isn’t defined by fame. While Madonna is a great example of a creative entrepreneur, so is 13-year-old me, who made and sold bracelets to my friends.
Creative production adds value not only to the life of the individual, but also to the community and culture they inhabit. With the pandemic condemning so many to their homes, diving deeper into developing an artistic interest and turning it into a business is a great way to spend free time. There has never been a better time to pursue creative entrepreneurship!
Vocabulary list:
Livable (adj.): an environment that is suitable for living in, comfortable
To overlook (v.): to fail to notice or consider
To carry the responsibility: to be responsible for something
Viability (n.): the ability to live, especially under certain conditions
To inhabit (v.): to live or dwell in a place
To condemn (v.): to show strong disapproval of
Maya Sobchuk is a third-year at Macalester College in Minnesota studying international law and international relations theory. She is from Kyiv, but grew up in Los Angeles, California. She has previously worked for the Kyiv Post, is the Web Editor for her college newspaper, and is involved with Ukrainian-American causes in Minnesota. Maya is particularly interested in the post-colonial space, multilateral diplomacy, and disinformation.