Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shelley Vanderbyl, Founder of Shelley Vanderbyl Art, located in Trenton, ON, Canada.

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

I create paintings that have a positive effect on viewers' mental health based on research and my own experiences in aiding people. I both exhibit and sell them, working with museums, curators, and private individuals. They end up in public galleries, hospitals, and in the hands/pockets of people who suffer from various conditions and those who want to support the work that I do in destigmatizing mental health conversations.

Tell us about yourself

Since I was 15, I've felt called to use my artistic abilities to help others, and I keep learning and experimenting with the best way I can do that. It's been quite a journey of learning about my own needs as well as the ways that I want to be helped by looking at how I can have an impact on others. I feel like I'm making a difference. I'm told that I'm making an impact. I'm really thankful to feel a part of work that's about loving people. I feel like a lot of love gets channeled through me and my work. I'm really grateful.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

There have been some amazing moments, meeting famous people, seeing my work in beautiful collections, etc., but I feel the most sense of accomplishment from the moments when the art that I made was able to help people move forward when they were faced with really hard circumstances.

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

It's prioritizing and jumping between tasks when I just want to sit down and enjoy delving into some deep work.

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

Learn about boundaries and communication. I've had to learn the skill of establishing internal boundaries in order to care deeply about people I want to make art for, and also not care when someone doesn't email back or about when I have enough followers that my socials attract trolls that so far I have been blessed not to have, in the online zone I'm creating.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.shelleyvanderbyl.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShelleyVanderbylArt/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelleyvanderbyl_artist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyvanderbyl/

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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