This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with Susan Hazel Rich. She used her experiences as a former logo and brand designer to create Hazelmade, a collection of illustrated paper and home goods. Each design in her collections is hand drawn and paired with environmentally friendly papers, fabrics and earth-friendly packaging. We know you’ll enjoy hearing Susan’s open and honest conversation about what it took for her to succeed. We’ll have Susan’s website in the show notes so you can see her creative designs and functional pieces of art.

In this episode:
Susan takes us on an enlightening journey through the often overlooked administrative side of art entrepreneurship, including accounting, bookkeeping, and even sales tax. She stresses the importance of acknowledging one's limitations and delegating tasks accordingly. And if you've ever found the legal side of starting a business daunting, Susan discusses the invaluable help she received from business incubator programs like Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.

Transitioning from Etsy to Shopify was a decision that came with its own set of challenges for Susan. She candidly shares her experience of rethinking the financial component, emphasizing the need to adapt to the ever-changing market. Moreover, Susan generously reveals her marketing strategies that have contributed to the growth of her business. From personalized handwritten thank you notes to holiday cards, she delves into the simple yet effective ways she has been reaching out to her shop owners. 

Finally, we tackle the ever-pervasive challenge for entrepreneurs – time management. Susan gives us an honest look at how she dealt with this issue and the strategies she implemented to successfully pivot her business. One key takeaway is the significance of listening to feedback and using it as a stepping stone for growth. Susan's belief in the necessity of making arts accessible to a broader audience is truly inspiring. So, if you're an aspiring art entrepreneur, this episode with Susan Hazel Rich is a goldmine of insights waiting to be discovered.

This week on the podcast is part one of our interview with Susan Hazel Rich. She used her experiences as a former logo and brand designer to create Hazelmade, a collection of illustrated paper and home goods. Each design in her collections is hand drawn and paired with environmentally friendly papers, fabrics and earth-friendly packaging. We know you’ll enjoy hearing Susan’s open and honest conversation about what it took for her to succeed. We’ll have Susan’s website in the show notes so you can see her creative designs and functional pieces of art.

In this episode:
​Striking a balance between her passion and practicality, Susan talks about her innovative approach to inventory management by stocking her studio instead of bulk-ordering. This not only ensures quick shipments but also reflects her commitment to the environment. As the conversation unfolds, she shares insights on maintaining profitability while ensuring fair wages for her team. From forming partnerships with family and women-owned businesses to discussing the financial implications of entrepreneurship, Susan's story is an enlightening guide for those considering a similar path. So, tune in and take a deep dive into Susan's journey of building Hazelmade from the ground up!

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This week on the podcast is part 2 of our interview with artist Leandra Drumm. Her works are sold in shops and galleries across the United States and Canada, and her artwork combines storytelling with humor and functionality. Leandra is known for her crystal wedding bowls decorated with words and charming figures spinning tales from bottom to the top, as well as dinner plates and glassware. In pewter she creates fanciful switch plates, wall hangings, ornaments, and measuring spoons, guaranteed to bring smiles. Her collections have been featured in Bon Appetit Magazine, the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine, and in newspapers throughout the US.  Make sure to tune in--and visit her website to see her imaginative art!

In this episode:
​This part of the conversation takes a deeper dive into the business side of things. Leandra provides valuable insights into pricing and distribution in the art industry. Discover how she built relationships with galleries, the benefits of having a representative, managing the costs of craft shows, and the advantages of online selling. This chat is an absolute goldmine for understanding the markup process and maintaining a consistent list price.

In the final part of our conversation, we touch upon Leandra's journey as an art entrepreneur. Hear firsthand how she and her father transitioned to running a successful gallery business, their innovative response to the impact of COVID-19, and their efforts to make art more accessible. So, whether you're an artist, an art lover, or just intrigued by the art industry, this conversation with Leandra Drummer is one you wouldn't want to miss! Tune in and get ready to be inspired.

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This week on the podcast is part 1 of our interview with artist Leandra Drumm. Her works are sold in shops and galleries across the United States and Canada, and her artwork combines storytelling with humor and functionality. Leandra is known for her crystal wedding bowls decorated with words and charming figures spinning tales from bottom to the top, as well as dinner plates and glassware. In pewter she creates fanciful switch plates, wall hangings, ornaments, and measuring spoons, guaranteed to bring smiles. Her collections have been featured in Bon Appetit Magazine, the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine, and in newspapers throughout the US.  Make sure to tune in--and visit her website to see her imaginative art!

In this episode:
Leandra shares about her transformative experience at Penland School of Crafts, her exploration of graphic design at Kent State University, and how the chance discovery of sandblasting eventually led her to follow her heart into the craft market. Leandra's story serves as a reminder of how following our passions can open paths we never expected.

Leandra takes us a step further into her world as she delves into the rich artistic legacy of her family and how it has profoundly shaped her work. From the sculptures and paintings of her grandfather to the mechanical inventions of her father, creativity clearly runs deep in her bloodline. Leandra also emphasizes the importance of self-sufficiency, a trait she proudly carries from her family, and the value she places on community art projects. Listen as she recounts the joy she experienced while creating the Light Up Lantern Festival, where performance and art harmoniously merged. Join us for this inspiring conversation with Leandra Drumm about art, family, and following your passions.

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This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with artist and printmaker, Joseph Velasquez.  He’s the founder of Drive By Press and has taught many budding printmakers his techniques via his YouTube channel. In addition to his personal artistic activities, teaching and community engagement greatly influence his visual narratives. Please tune in to hear all of the experiences that helped Joseph become the artist and entrepreneur he is today.

This week on the podcast is part one of our interview with artist and printmaker, Joseph Velasquez.  He’s the founder of Drive By Press and has taught many budding printmakers his techniques via his YouTube channel. In addition to his personal artistic activities, teaching and community engagement greatly influence his visual narratives. Please tune in to hear all of the experiences that helped Joseph become the artist and entrepreneur he is today.

This week on the podcast is part one of our interview with acclaimed sculptor Alan Cottrill. He has a fascinating path to becoming an arts entrepreneur: After college and enlisting in the US Army, he founded a successful fast food chain and traveled the world as an international entrepreneur. After touching clay for the first time in 1990, he sold his business interests and dedicated himself full-time to becoming one of the finest figurative sculptors in the world.  Alan’s sculptures can be found in universities, memorials, and other venues throughout the United States.  If you’re interested in hearing how someone became a successful entrepreneur in two different fields you won’t want to miss this interview!

This week on the podcast we release part two of our interview with Dominik Kuhn. While this Zurich native was finishing his MBA at Baylor University, he met several art students and soon recognized the need for a platform to help them sell their art, so in 2022 he launched artbystudents.com. It’s an online marketplace that allows art students to exhibit and sell their artwork. If you are currently studying visual art, or know a student who has art they’d like to sell, you’ll want to hear Dominik’s interview!

Today on the podcast we release part one of our interview with textile artist Janice Lessman-Moss. Her work has been presented throughout the US and internationally. Among Janice's many accolades, she won the prestigious Governor's Award for the Arts in Ohio in 2016, the Cleveland Arts Prize Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, and a coveted United States Artists Fellowship also in 2019. We cover a wide variety of topics in the interview, so please share the interview to the budding artists you know.

 This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with Mary Kay Thomas. She's a self-employed artist, art teacher, and art therapist, and the founder of Rhythmic Art Studio. For decades Mary Kay has introduced and inspired children through the arts, and she has long been a proponent of helping her community. Most recently she has been spearheading the revitalization of East Cleveland by using that community as a canvas for public art. In addition to her art initiatives, she is a community engagement advisor for Zygote Press, one of the largest fine-art print shops in the Midwest. Since our interview, Mary Kay has been awarded grants totaling $40,000 from three different organizations!  We're confident you'll be inspired by Mary Kay's story!