Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fine arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Harley Spencer, a highly accomplished independent artist, based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm an artist who creates colorful and playful paintings that people from all over the world purchase to decorate their homes, businesses, and public spaces, such as restaurants and lounges. My customers are individuals and organizations who appreciate art and are looking to add character and personality to their environments through my unique artistic style.
Tell us about yourself
Art has been a lifelong passion for me. I've been creating art as a hobby ever since I can remember, and I even pursued formal training by graduating from an art school. However, it wasn't until I moved to New York and began visiting galleries of modern art regularly that I started to take my artistic pursuits more seriously. While I was drawn to a specific style, I could never find the perfect painting that I would want to purchase for myself. That's when I made the decision to create it myself - if I couldn't find it, I would make it. And that's how my journey as an artist began. My biggest motivation is to create something beautiful that doesn't exist yet. I always have an idea of what I'm going to make, but I never know how it's going to look in the end. I'm like a detective novel writer who doesn't know the identity of the killer until the end. My paintings surprise me every time.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I thought having my own gallery in New York would be my biggest accomplishment. But as soon as I got it, I realized it wasn't enough. It was just the beginning. Artists are a unique group of individuals who often prioritize creative expression over material wealth or fame. Their work is driven by a deep desire to communicate and be heard, and leave a lasting impact on the world. As human beings, artists are keenly aware of the fleeting nature of life, and this motivates them to create something that will endure through time. By leaving a lasting legacy that can continue to inspire and touch people's lives for centuries to come, artists hope to create something that transcends the limitations of their own mortality. I believe that being an artist is less about achieving a specific goal or accomplishment and more about expressing who you are as a person and what you are passionate about. For me, creating art is a fundamental part of my identity and something that I cannot imagine living without.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
As an artist, my biggest challenge is selling my work. Being an introvert, I find it difficult to engage with people and develop the necessary social skills for selling. While creating art is important, as an artist, it's essential to be able to sell your work, which involves effective communication with potential buyers. This can be a challenging task for introverted artists like myself.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Cultivate a unique style that is distinctively yours. Aim for people to recognize your work based on its individual character, not solely by your name in the description.
- Dedicate the majority of your time to your artistic pursuits, striving to be productive and constantly improving your craft.
- Focus on developing your social skills, as promoting yourself and your art requires effective communication. Remember that art is more than just the finished piece; it is also the story behind it. Build your personal brand by crafting a compelling narrative about yourself and your creative process. Spread the word about your work wherever you can.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://hs-artist.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harley_spencer_art/
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.
