Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fine arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarah Rafferty, owner of Atwater Designs, located in West Chester, PA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am an artist, educator, and advocate for finding peace through time outdoors. My business is called Atwater Designs, where I create blue and white botanical art using the oldest form of photography called cyanotype.

Tell us about yourself

I have always been an artist; it is what I did in my time as a kind, what I went on to major in college, and taught post-college. I continued my pursuit by earning an MFA from The University of the Arts and then taught photography for eight years. But somewhere, I had this itch to make art my career. I didn't have a ton of examples in front of me that gave light to what it could look like, so about five years, after talking with my husband over and over, he said, "Just do it! Start the business you have dreamed of." I took on the challenge with $600, a dream and a vision, built the business as I worked full time, and then in 2020, I went full-time with Atwater Designs. It has been a dream come true to start and run this business. I am motivated by my audience, who continues to support me, encourage me, and include me in their lives by sharing and helping spread the word. I love waking up each morning, excited to see what lies ahead.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

This is such a hard question because I truly believe in the "tiny victories" in life - that each small step forward marks progress towards dreams and goals! I've seen this to be true in my business, that each small step leads to bigger things, but without celebrating the small stuff, it can be easy to get discouraged and lose momentum. But last year, I had the great privilege of being on the cover of Where Women Create, and that was totally amazing and a life dream come true.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Self-motivation can be challenging. I think owning and running a business comes down to really managing your mind, so I have done a lot of work to understand myself and my own motivations. More than I ever thought I would! The more I learn about these things, the easier it becomes to keep on track with my dream and the vision for this company.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Be ok with discomfort. Starting anything is hard, but it is in the difficulty that we are usually learning. I often say, "There is no failure; it is all research."
  2. Pay attention - to yourself, your audience, other people running successful businesses. Success leaves clues - if other people can do it, so can you!
  3. Be consistent! I often use this analogy: if you love coffee and there are two coffee shops in town, one that is open every day 6-3 and one that is only open when they feel like it, and every time you pass by, they are closed, which one would you go to? If you are starting a business, take it seriously; show up!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.atwaterdesigns.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Atwater-Designs-1861114217479284/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atwaterdesigns/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.