Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in body art but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kajsa Andersson Rhodiner, Founder of Kajsart, located in Switzerland.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am an artist who creates carefully crafted fine line tattoos; I take inspiration from plants, flowers, and animals. Focusing on creating realistic and organic designs, which have all the rawness and beautiful imperfections like nature in reality also does. I sketch freehand directly onto the skin before I start to tattoo, in a way, so it fits every different body shape the best, and through this, I aim to create a feeling of uniqueness with my pieces.
My clients are of all ages, from all over the world, who each wishes to invest in a piece of art for themselves, either to represent something or someone special or simply just for they want to wear a piece from me. Something I love about my clients is that they're all very invested in the project (just like me); often, we communicate for many months before the appointment. This creates a very nice connection right from the first point of contact, all the way through until the end of the appointment, and sometimes even longer than that.
Tell us about yourself
I've always loved art in many forms; throughout my life, I've loved drawing, painting, doing ceramics, jewellery - but I never thought I could have a passion as my job or as my main income. It was actually after trying "to make it" in various big corporate jobs that I realized what I thought was my "dream job" all along wasn't it.
That's when I once again turned to art and made it my next goal to be able to live off it. For six years, I had many part-time jobs whilst pushing my art and tattooing as much as I could. I have a level of appreciation today, which I doubt would've been as great if my journey to get here wasn't as challenging as it has been.
I am motivated each day because it's simply living off what's been my passion all along in life; I just didn't realize it straight away.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being able to do exactly what I love, in places I love to live in. For example, my primary home is in the middle of nowhere in the alps of Switzerland, where I am surrounded by all those elements that I take my inspiration from, right outside my door.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
In all honesty, if you are a social person like me, I have found that the hardest thing is that it can be lonely to work for yourself. It was something I had never thought of before; luckily, I have found other independent business owners who have a similar opinion, and together we organize awesome admin days every week. Great colleagues, even though they are working with completely different things.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- To actually follow and go for what you simply urge to do/feel inspired to try to create will turn into something that you'll simply be really pumped and motivated to work on every day.
- Take the focus on money; it will follow if you excel in what you're doing. Your primary focus should be finding something you actually love the idea of creating and having a part-time job on the side instead if needed.
- Surround yourself with people who bring you up and who believe in bigger things and with others who already work for themselves so that you easier will feel inspired and tap into that right mindset.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.kajsart.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kajsart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kajsarts/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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