Business Consultations for Artists: One-on-One Support

Get personalized guidance to build a sustainable creative business. These virtual sessions focus on practical strategies for artists, makers, and creative professionals. Drawing on decades of entrepreneurial experience – from my first business in elementary school to managing multiple creative companies with employees and retail locations – I help artists develop businesses around their creative passions. Whether it's selling directly to customers, getting into galleries, or finding the right mix of markets, fairs, and online sale.

Details

My Background

I've been an entrepreneur since elementary school in the 1980s, when I started Aran's Art Oils-N-Stuff, painting wood panels with hidden compartments and designing my first business card with Letraset type. That early drive to earn a living from what I make has shaped my entire career.

I've been fully self-employed since 2012, and before that, worked part-time as a hairstylist while building my creative businesses. I've run Aide-mémoire Jewelry since 2012, growing it to seven employees, a robust online store, and a retail location. I also run AranMade, where I follow whatever creative thread I'm pulled toward at the moment (metal, textiles, ceramics, painting, printmaking) and then find a buyer for it. I design surface patterns that sell through Spoonflower and other platforms.

I earned a BFA in Material Studies with a focus on Metals from Virginia Commonwealth University and an MFA in Metal from New Paltz. I completed a two-year fellowship at Penland School of Craft. I've served on boards of art and craft organizations and teach business strategy to artists.

My experience covers business structure (LLC, S-corp), pricing strategies, hiring and outsourcing, retail and wholesale operations, gallery relationships, product development, marketing with integrity, booth design for markets and fairs, packaging and presentation, financial tracking, and building sustainable income streams while maintaining a creative practice.

How It Works

We'll start with you filling out a brief questionnaire about your work, goals, and current challenges. I'll review your responses before we meet so our session is focused and productive. After our consultation, you'll receive a written action plan with specific next steps and exercises.

What We Can Cover

• Finding your path to market: Fine art vs craft, one-of-a-kind vs production, choosing between galleries, fairs, markets, online, and wholesale.
• Pricing and value: Cost calculation, understanding perceived value, tiered pricing strategies.
• Building your brand: Defining your niche, developing cohesive work, and visual and verbal identity.
• Business foundations: Legal structures, licenses, taxes, and bookkeeping basics.
• Systems and scaling: Time management, hiring, outsourcing, and protecting yourself from burnout.
• In-person selling: Booth design, market prep, connecting with customers.
• Marketing with integrity: Telling your story, email lists, social media.
• Product development: Matching what you love to make with what sells, designing for your market.
• Presentation: Photography, packaging, communicating value through visuals and words.
• Mindset: Managing slow times, rejection, and building creative resilience.

Note: I'm not a lawyer or accountant. I share what's worked in my own businesses and can point you toward professional resources when needed, but legal and tax advice should come from qualified professionals.

Format and Rates

Initial Consultation Package: $200
- Brief questionnaire (completed before we meet)
- One-hour virtual session
- Written action plan with exercises

Follow-up Sessions: $100 per hour
- Troubleshooting specific challenges
- Accountability and progress check-ins

Three-Session Package: $350
- Initial consultation plus two follow-up sessions (saves $50)

Getting Started

Fill out the form below with:

• Links to your website, shop, or social media
• Your current experience level and work type
• What feels hardest right now
• Your biggest question for me

I'll review your information and get back to you to schedule.