Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Robbi Firestone, Virtual Reality Artist Live Performer of FirestoneArt Gallery, located in Santa Fe, NM, USA.

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

I am an artist, I create 3D sculptures in both the real and virtual worlds, and I often perform live VR demonstrations at in-person events for various organizations, such as corporations, museums, and fundraisers. In addition to my work as an artist, I also serve as the Creative Director for Club FOMO and sit on the Board of Advisors for SearchLightNFT. Some of my NFT exhibitions have been showcased at high-profile events such as SXSW and Art Basel Miami, as well as at Domance, Domelandia, FigureGlyph, Gender Equality, and Future Femme through FortGalleryNFT and IllustSpace. I have also been a featured speaker at Bill Tai's ACTAI Global. My art has been featured in prominent publications such as The New York Times, Worth, LA Travel, and the Huffington Post. One of my installations, TheEmptyWomb.com, even premiered at the United Nations with a documentary created by an internationally acclaimed filmmaker, which is now available on Amazon Prime. For my contributions to the art world and society as a whole, I have received various awards, including the Iconic Leaders Bettering the World for All award from the Women's Economic Forum. I studied at both Parsons and FIT.

Tell us about yourself

On my fine art website, you will view a multitude of mediums and subject matter. My artistic attempts and creations are not intended to master any one medium. My focus in life is to master My Self by exploring as many adventures as possible. To master fear. To master the act of adventure. And creativity. To become the most efficient, joyful, contributing human as possible in order to fulfill my personal mission. You see the works before you...yet, just like You... "I AM" my art. The paintings, pastels, photographs, installations, NFTs, and explorations are a by-product of my Being. My hope is that these works enrich, inspire, and entice you to move further into your own beautiful Self.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I explore traditional, digital, and non-art mediums "which best render my inquiry and message." My art installation about infertility and in-vitro is titled "The Empty Womb." The work premiered @United Nations with the same title documentary film about the Firestone by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Betsy Chasse (What the Bleep do We Know?). This artwork earned me my prestigious award, "Iconic Leaders Bettering the World for All," by Women's Economic Forum 2017. My works have been featured in The New York Times, Worth Magazine, LA Travel, Boston Herald, Huffington Post & more.

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

The most difficult thing I encounter as a business owner is balancing between passion, service, and my P&L. As an artist, my soul is inherently PART of my product, so separating my personal experience from what is productive for my business challenges me fiercely. And the fact that 'industriousness' is not always 'productive.'

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

  1. Be passionate about your product or service.
  2. Delegate as soon as you are able.
  3. Educate yourself about all aspects of your industry.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.firestoneart.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rofirestone/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robbifirestone/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobbiFirestone
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbifirestone/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.