Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts and crafts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kate Stewart, Founder of Kate Stewart Fine Art, located in Charlotte, NC, USA.

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

I am a Live Wedding Painter. This means couples or their families hire me to come to their weddings and capture a special moment during the day. Most of the time, I am engaged in painting them during the ceremony or their first dance.

Tell us about yourself

Earlier in my career, I spent most of my time doing commissioned paintings of special moments with children, pets, and families. I also participated in live painting competitions and spent time teaching classes.

I found out about Live Wedding Painting several years ago and was immediately drawn to it. I combined my love of painting special moments with painting live into one extraordinary career! I'm a very social painter and a romantic, so it's the perfect match.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My most recent painting is my biggest accomplishment. Each image is better than the last, so I experience victories with every new painting. It's quite a rewarding experience.

If we are talking business, my biggest accomplishment has been deciding to paint for others. After graduating, I needed to learn how to paint for myself. Once I started painting for others, my business took off and has steadily grown.

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

Hands down, paperwork, and accounting. It's not necessarily hard, but so dull and constant work! You could consider it to be more tedious than anything. That's it, though. Work is easy when you love what you do.

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

  1. Marketing is everything. Take every opportunity to market yourself and figure out how to do it effectively.
  2. Business ownership can easily mean working more than 40 hours per week—scheduling time off to rest and spend time with family.
  3. To quote Confucius: "Do something you love, and you'll never work a day in your life."

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.katestewartfineart.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StewArtStudioPage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katestewartfineart/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/katerstewart/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-stewart-601021212/

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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