For the longest time, I believed that my business should focus on the product, not the person. Yet I’ve been told repeatedly that the opposite is true, and recent trends indicate that customers want to know from whom they’re making their purchases. Honestly, I’m not comfortable in front of a camera, either live or still. Although I’m perfectly happy with what I see in my mirror, images of me make me cringe. My lifestyle is very casual, I wear no makeup, and I love my natural hair. I’m not fashionable or glamorous, nor am I very entertaining, and my sense of humor can be a bit twisted. I share lots of information about myself on my personal Facebook page, which is public, but as an artist who wants to sell her work, I’m being told that it’s not enough. I am a wordsmith in the age of live video performance by artists of all genres, and I’ll admit to having a bit of FOMO (that's fear of missing out for the less hip among us). What’s an entrepreneur to do?
There will probably never be a time when I’ll get all dolled up and dance around to sell my work. It’s simply not who I am, nor who I wish to be. I am and always will be an artist, even if I never sell another piece. I will, however, do my best to provide you with interesting information about myself and other artists, both as people and as entrepreneurs. I’ll include the processes we use and the motivations behind them. And I’m learning to add video content so that whenever possible, you’ll see who we are and how we do what we do. And maybe when I’m comfortable with you watching our hands at work, I’ll be brave enough to speak to you on camera.
The last few years have brought on some unique challenges and the world continues to change. Like some of you, I’m still recovering from past trauma, and I’m rediscovering who I am and what I want in this life. I’ve no doubt about my purpose – to create - and I want to empower others by sharing my knowledge. It’s enough for me, and I hope it will be for you as well.
Wishing you all the best in 2024 and beyond.
Darlene
