Design, Code, Animate, and Illustrate

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rich Armstrong, Founder of TapTapKaboom, located in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

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

I create art and teach others how to create—I interact with collectors and students.

Tell us about yourself

I’ve always been creative. I’ve drawn and written stuff from when I was a kid. I even created a brand when I was 11 years old. But I’m ADHD. So I start tons of stuff and very rarely finish it—most of the stuff I start is still an idea in my ideas database. But over the years, I’ve found ways to get things done—and do them well. I’ve found that being authentic helps, and taking things step by step helps too—and timers. And tons more stuff.

So, I began teaching the things I know in ways that would help people like me learn. I began with how to code your first website and have created over 30 classes on things like creating art, making animations, being productive, and spending time working on your creativity. At its core, what makes me come alive is connecting people to their inner kids—to their dreams, imaginations, things they loved doing, their passions, to play, to creativity. Whether that’s by teaching or by creating art that evokes the same feelings, allowing people to be a kid again does something inside of your soul.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I wrote a book called The Perfect 100 Day Project.

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

The hardest part is that I don’t have many friends who are creative business owners. It can be lonely at times.

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

I’d suggest you start doing this business on the side because you want to help (or add value) to a specific group of people in a specific way. I’d recommend focusing on what you’re good at and what you love doing—numbers and profit are poor metrics for how you feel—because there’s always more runway for doing things you love. You don’t want to burn out. Lastly, be patient and keep on pitching up and helping—sometimes, you’ll need to change direction. But you’ll only be able to do this if you have momentum.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.taptapkaboom.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taptapkaboom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/taptapkaboom
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrrichardarmstrong/

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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