Identity Crisis?
DEFINING MY BUSINESS
Identifying my Business is not an Identity Crisis
Perhaps ‘crisis’ is too strong of a word—I’m not having a breakdown. I promise. I am, however, spending a lot of time defining my business, identifying my target market, exploring my core values, setting goals, and Writing. It. All. Down. Developing a brand identity and writing a business plan is not easy; in fact, it’s downright mind-boggling—and I come from a marketing background! The exercises are absolutely necessary to owning a business. My business.
Do I need to make art?
Damn right I do.
I am a creative;
it is what I must do.
If I want to be successful at making art, I must first answer this question:
Why am I chasing this dream?
A few years ago, my (now former) boss and (still a) very good friend gave me a book to read called The Crossroads of Should and Must - Find and Follow Your Passion by Elle Luna. She said to me, “I really think you should read this book, even though I'm afraid you may you quit your job.” I was intrigued; how could I not be?
The book is about the journey of honoring the voice inside us that says we have something special to give, heeding the call and taking action. To people other than my former boss, striking out on my own may have seemed unexpected and unplanned. While I wasn’t prepared for it in the ways recommended by experts, I am, after all, a creative; I do things a little differently.
“The key to success is to start when you’re not ready.” —Marie Forleo, American Author and International Entrepreneur
So why am I chasing this dream? I am still in the process of answering that question, and I imagine that the answer will morph and change over time. Right now, at this moment in my journey, my answer is this:
I am chasing this dream to have more moments of excitement and celebration from creating beautiful and unique art that makes people feel like they’re experiencing something very special.