10 Lessons Learnt from 10 Years Running a Creative Business
Running your own business is living the dream, right? Yes! And no 😉
We get to choose our own hours / work more than ever before, and take as many holidays as we want / worry about no money coming in when we take time off. It’s a privilege and a challenge, and we’ve learnt a lot along the way.
As Oldmangrey Illustration is turning 10 years old this month, I wanted to share 10 of the lessons I’ve learnt (so far!) running a small creative business…
Value Your Creative Skills
This is especially true in the early days of running the business. You can feel awkward when quoting for jobs, worrying that your costs could put a potential client off. But you do need to recognise not only your time (preparing for, completing, and wrapping up the job) but the skillsets that you bring – you’re needed for the job because of the skills that you have!
Go with Your Gut
Don’t always say yes to work. This can be hard when there’s money on offer. But it’s important to be true to your core values and beliefs, to work on projects that align with your brand, and to stick to your guns with regards to your quote. Trust me that working really hard on a project that you know you’ve underquoted for is demoralising. You can use your time in a more valuable way while you look for the right project for you!
Analogue still has Value in a Digital Age
Most of my illustration and design work is now completed on the iPad Pro, and I could go on at length at what a great piece of kit that is. But I still like to draw on paper occasionally; just for fun or often when planning the initial stages of designs. It’s good to work with different mediums, it maintains my technique and I find it gives me a different feeling to digital work. Anologue art forces you to be braver with your line choice, without the help of a quick undo, so it’s key to practice this, to keep your craft at a good level.
Be a Sponge
If you’ve read some of my other blogs, you’ll have seen me refer to Mr Jake Parker’s ‘creative bank account’ approach. Although life is busy, I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to read, travel, say yes to different experiences, visit art galleries, appreciate work by other artists, and so on. Keep your creative bank account topped up – it will help when you next need to be inspired!
Cairn Terriers are Inspiring
You all know a lot about Pip by now – she’s always popping up on our socials, on the website, or at markets! And it’s safe to say that my initial creative inspiration has only continued to grow in her role as our mascot. Whether it’s drawing her, sharing her life on TikTok and Instagram, or talking about her online or at markets with other pet owners, she really is at the heart of Oldmangrey Illustration.
Pro Bono can be the Most Rewarding Work
As much as I’ve emphasised knowing your worth as a creative, it’s an amazing feeling to offer your time for free to good causes. It can also provide an opportunity to develop your skills or work on projects you wouldn’t otherwise get the chance to. I’ve done free product design for charities, created my own products and sold these as a charitable fundraiser, and illustrated two 32 page books at no cost. But these opportunities have to be balanced with paid freelance work, full-time employment, and the rest of life! Find a healthy balance for that feel-good vibe without knackering yourself.
Upskill
This is not to devalue the skills that other people can bring to the table; I do occasionally, for example, bring motion graphics pros on board. But as a small business looking for ways to save money where possible, always consider what you can do for yourself. We’ve become amateur photographers for example, using some basic tools like light boxes, ring lights, tripods, and camera filters to take great (if we do say so!) product photography and content for social media.
It's Impossible to be Too Organised
It’s January and we’re planning for Easter. It’s April and we’re planning next year’s Calendar, to be printed in June. It’s May and I’m drawing Christmas cards. Particularly as I’m also in full-time employment, I need to maximise my free time by planning ahead, and time passes very quickly!
Communicate like a Business, not an Artist
Particularly when taking on corporate client work, it’s important to agree your price, payment structure, terms for amends, delivery date and so on, up front. Larger companies tend to have more time-consuming processes to register you as a supplier, so ask about this early on and complete their paperwork. I’d also suggest agreeing on a percentage of the project fee up front, and through practice, you’ll get more comfortable with all of this. Don’t shy away from conversations around money, and be prepared to substantiate your costs if needs be.
Pets Really are at the Heart of Families
Meeting you and your dogs, or seeing photos of your cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and so on at markets, is the best feeling – you’re all as mad about your furry family as we are! It will always be a joy to draw your pet pals and hear all about them – pet people are good people 😊 The stories I’ve heard and the animals and people I’ve met through Oldmangrey, are what keep me inspired.
We’ve Loads left to Learn
We’ve by no means cracked it, and the phrase ‘you learn something new every day’ couldn’t be truer! Who knows what the next 10 years will hold? If you’re a small business owner, what lessons have you learned? Which is most important? Drop me a comment below!
Want to see an at-a-glance summary of some of the work I’ve created over the past 10 years in business?
Click here to scroll through my Look Book!
