Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fine arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Misa Yamaoka, founder of Headline Gallery, located in Vancouver and New York.

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

Headline is the next generation nomadic art gallery & project space. Headline works with artists, patrons, and communities to harness art's power in the private and public spheres, creating projects and spaces that connect, educate and spark introspection. We work with interior designers and clients to build well-rounded, personal collections.

Tell us about yourself

Having worked in the primary and non-profit art markets, I aim to identify a more sustainable model for small galleries and redefine art patronage. Headline's nomadic structure gives me the freedom to curate thoughtful shows. By living between physical and online spaces, the gallery can reach a broad range of collectors, reducing our overhead costs to better focus on elevating our artists to new heights - literally bringing them into the headlines. Young collectors today are embracing new forms of visual expression to understand the complex world around them. They are more willing to take risks Headline is helping to cultivate this through the art we champion.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Creating a job for myself that I love and helping the arts community in the process has been my biggest accomplishment as a business owner. I was always so fearful of being stuck in a job that didn't give me purpose. Being able to facilitate relationships between artists and collectors, and educating the public through artistic mediums, is a real privilege. I never stop learning from my community! Headline has recently launched a photography exhibition, Off The Finesse, in Brooklyn, New York.

The show highlights the stories and environments of black artists and change-makers in our community to explore the skillful process of cultivating oneself. In examining the intimacies of portraiture, audience members are invited to reflect upon the ways creative pursuits can become tools of action in service of authenticity and the realization of one's potentialities.

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

Fear of Failure. Which, broken down, is just fear of the future & not living up to my expectations as a leader and business owner. I feel a great deal of responsibility to the artists I work with to present their work in a manner that reflects the mastery of their practice - and place their artwork in responsible collections. Trying to build stability in such a subjective industry can be stressful at times.

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

Be competitive, not comparative nobody is rushing you but yourself. I've made so many wrong decisions because I felt rushed to reach the next peak, comparing myself to galleries and art dealers that have been in this game far longer than me! I have to constantly remind myself to stay in my unique lane and not feel discouraged - staying present in the now - and not lost in the future. Make your naiveness a strength. By leaning into naiveness, embracing the unknown and unnoticed, you can begin to create a path that is solely original and authentic to your brand. Use your lack of experience as an excuse to reach out to mentors for advice, learn as much as you can, then bypass industry "rules," and find "smart-hacks" in the system. Never be afraid to ask for help.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Invest in Art!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://headlinegallery.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headline.gallery/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/misayamaoka/

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.