I recently finished reading The Millionaire Fastlane and it confirmed prior thoughts I had toward my business. First of all, The Millionaire Fastlane is an incredible book! I have read dozens of other financial/self-help book and they come no where near the content delivered in The Millionaire Fastlane . Most times I would read a book that makes me feel inspired, but failed to understand how to get from A to B. The Millionaire Fastlane provides an excellent foundation, roadmap and guide to achieving your business and financial goals.
Having said that, I felt not only inspired, but also lost in my roadmap and perhaps I can have some insight and feedback? Here is a bit of what I am struggling with...
I am a professional wildlife artist and have established myself as a widely collected artist at a very young age. My artwork is collected nationally and internationally as I participate in prestigious exhibitions and auctions throughout the year. My artwork has taken me around the world to exotic locations for photography and ideas. Pretty cool right? Wait...
For as long as I know I have been interested in entrepreneurship, proclaiming to my family that I will never work for anyone but myself. So far I have been able to create income for myself. Art became the vehicle I leveraged when I was 18. I live in Montana and create paintings every day! Along with my business are art kits, an art business course, licensed images and limited edition print series.
My business violates the Command of Time. I have control of my business, and even though anyone can be an artist (easy entry), I feel I am exceptional at what I do, however, I am trading my time for money... and I have little free time anymore. Unfortunately I can't hire people to paint my paintings.
I feel stuck because I don't believe there is a great need for what I do. I do believe I provide value and touch those who do buy my artwork, but obviously sales are never guaranteed in a timely manner, no matter how good the painting is. The right person has to see it, have wall space for it and the budget. And I am competing among many other talented artists for that sale.
Fortunately I can scale, but not quickly. Artists build brands and recognition over time through consistent sales, rewards and demand. I wish I could sell my paintings for $100k but it takes a long time to reach that point and often after I am dead, sadly.
The question I keep asking myself is, am I in the right business? Or would this be a great hobby in my early retirement? Right now my sales are consistently breaking over 6 figures every year, so I am profitable!
I have introduced other extensions of my business to help feed the income streams such as an art business course, limited edition prints, art kits, and licensed images. But nothing truly substantial amounts from these. And worse... they aren't consistent revenue streams.
Should I be looking for a new business that can move me into the Fastlane? Or stick with this one and continue to grow the brand? The passion for art has left... which is consequence explained in the book for doing what you love as a career.
www.jamescorwin.com is my website so you can get an idea of the type of painting I do.
I suppose I feel lost because I am already burnt out of painting every day at age 27.... knowing every new painting I do is an opportunity for another sale. But I don't want to just paint for the next 60 years with fingers crossed it will sell.
Thoughts?
Thanks,
James
Having said that, I felt not only inspired, but also lost in my roadmap and perhaps I can have some insight and feedback? Here is a bit of what I am struggling with...
I am a professional wildlife artist and have established myself as a widely collected artist at a very young age. My artwork is collected nationally and internationally as I participate in prestigious exhibitions and auctions throughout the year. My artwork has taken me around the world to exotic locations for photography and ideas. Pretty cool right? Wait...
For as long as I know I have been interested in entrepreneurship, proclaiming to my family that I will never work for anyone but myself. So far I have been able to create income for myself. Art became the vehicle I leveraged when I was 18. I live in Montana and create paintings every day! Along with my business are art kits, an art business course, licensed images and limited edition print series.
My business violates the Command of Time. I have control of my business, and even though anyone can be an artist (easy entry), I feel I am exceptional at what I do, however, I am trading my time for money... and I have little free time anymore. Unfortunately I can't hire people to paint my paintings.
I feel stuck because I don't believe there is a great need for what I do. I do believe I provide value and touch those who do buy my artwork, but obviously sales are never guaranteed in a timely manner, no matter how good the painting is. The right person has to see it, have wall space for it and the budget. And I am competing among many other talented artists for that sale.
Fortunately I can scale, but not quickly. Artists build brands and recognition over time through consistent sales, rewards and demand. I wish I could sell my paintings for $100k but it takes a long time to reach that point and often after I am dead, sadly.
The question I keep asking myself is, am I in the right business? Or would this be a great hobby in my early retirement? Right now my sales are consistently breaking over 6 figures every year, so I am profitable!
I have introduced other extensions of my business to help feed the income streams such as an art business course, limited edition prints, art kits, and licensed images. But nothing truly substantial amounts from these. And worse... they aren't consistent revenue streams.
Should I be looking for a new business that can move me into the Fastlane? Or stick with this one and continue to grow the brand? The passion for art has left... which is consequence explained in the book for doing what you love as a career.
www.jamescorwin.com is my website so you can get an idea of the type of painting I do.
I suppose I feel lost because I am already burnt out of painting every day at age 27.... knowing every new painting I do is an opportunity for another sale. But I don't want to just paint for the next 60 years with fingers crossed it will sell.
Thoughts?
Thanks,
James
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