Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kerrie Woodhouse, an artist, and author based in Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I help creative souls learn watercolour painting from the comfort of their homes so they can experience the fun and relaxation of a rewarding hobby and the satisfaction of confidently creating beautiful pieces of art. I offer a variety of free and paid online classes that offer anyone with the slightest urge to learn to draw and paint in watercolour the chance to do so in the simplest, most enjoyable way possible.
Tell us about yourself
I came to painting later in life, so I experienced firsthand the frustrations of being an adult beginner. But when I finally felt comfortable painting, it was such a joyful experience I couldn't wait to share what I had learned in the hopes of helping others jump into the fun part of painting much quicker than I did. I am a Chartered Accountant by profession, so I spent most of my life in the world of numbers and logic. My earlier career included a variety of roles (Auditor, Financial Controller, Group Reporting Manager, and Academic) that built skills that equip me very well in my current business.
Arts and crafts were something I enjoyed as a child, but I put that away when it felt like time to do more grown-up things. But then I had children and began rediscovering the delight of play - and kid's art supplies! One day, on a beach holiday, I watched my then three-year-old daughter completely absorbed in creating a picture with delightfully creamy fat sticks of colour. I thought to myself - "I want some of that!" The next day I found a book called "Funky Things to Draw" in a discount bin at the shopping centre. Only $5… a sign, surely? I bought that book and never looked back.
Watercolour is sometimes described as an exacting, challenging medium, but once I learned that it didn't have to be, I couldn't wait to share this idea with other kindred spirits. I started blogging and sharing my art online. Having spent ten years as an academic in the faculty of business and economics, teaching felt quite natural. I am also an eternal student, so I really enjoy the challenges of learning new things - not just art but web design and all the technology involved in running an automated online business.
I believe the world would be a much happier place if everyone with the slightest urge to draw and paint had the chance to do so. One of my greatest joys is to show those that doubt their creative abilities that painting has little or nothing to do with "talent." With a bit of help, "anyone" can experience the fun and relaxation of this rewarding pastime. I feel very lucky to be able to spend my day creating art classes with this aim in mind.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Marketing has always been one of my biggest challenges. Of all the many facets of a business, this is the part I had the least experience in, and it certainly does not come naturally! While I can't say that marketing is now comfortable or a particular strength, I count it as a significant accomplishment every time I engage in a marketing activity. I think it will always be the thing I have to work hardest at. I make sure I am investing in my own education to support myself in this area and being open to outsourcing this part of my business if necessary. When I sit down to plan and execute my quarterly marketing campaigns, I always give myself a little pat on the back for doing so - that is important when you are a one-woman band!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Being able to work for yourself has an appeal that motivates so many of us to start our own businesses. However, the freedom and flexibility that comes from this independence can be both a blessing and a curse. Sure, it is ideal to chart your own course and not have to report to anyone. The kind of people that want to start their businesses is the kind of people who have lots of ideas. It can be challenging to sort through all those ideas on your own and decide which ones to pursue.
There is a tendency to want to do all the things, and, in my case, I usually want to do them all myself. And if you work for yourself, there are not necessarily set hours, so you may find yourself working more than you did when you worked for someone else's business. Even if you set yourself working hours, it can be difficult to switch from work mode to downtime - especially if your business is fun! This may not sound like much of a problem at first, but if being constantly mentally at work becomes a habit, you can easily jeopardise both your own wellness and that of your precious business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be persistent.
I don't think there is any such thing as an overnight success. Even those that appear that way usually have a long history of trial and error if you investigate a little further. Things don't always go smoothly, and you have to be prepared to be flexible, find another way, and try again. The online landscape is constantly changing, and I think successful businesses are the ones that accept that, embrace it, and evolve with it. - Manage your Mindset.
I think this is the biggest tool in your survival arsenal as a business owner. The only way to be persistent is to have a healthy mindset around what you are doing. A solopreneur really needs to maintain the optimism and positivity that facilitates creative thinking and forward momentum in a business. All the ingenious tactics and strategies in the world will be worthless if you don't have the mental fortitude and resilience to see them through. - Pick your Mentor(s).
In this information age of ours, there is more advice and information available on running a business than you can consume in multiple lifetimes. It is easy to get lost in the noise and confused by what appears to be contradictory advice. Don't be like the guy in that old adage who is chasing two rabbits and catching none. Save yourself the misery and overwhelm by choosing a minimal number of experts to follow and ignore everyone else.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.kerriewoodhouse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KerrieWoodhouseArt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arttally/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kerrie-woodhouse/
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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