From Sensitive Artist to Savvy CEO: Building a Sustainable Business Around Your Art
Ever poured your heart and soul into something, only to be stumped when it’s time to build a sustainable business around it? Yep, been there. As creatives, it’s easy to get caught up in the passion of our work and find ourselves fumbling when it comes to the business side of things.
But guess what? I recently had the most enlightening chat with the incredible Tamera Darden, founder of Darden Creative and author of “The Photo CEO.”
This woman is a powerhouse of wisdom, and she dropped some serious truth bombs about how to navigate the world of business as a creative.
Meet Tamera: The Creative Genius Who’s Got Your Back!
Tamera isn’t just a pro at creating stunning photos; she’s also a master at building a sustainable business around her art.
In this episode, we took an in-depth look the nitty-gritty of running a creative business, and trust me, it’s a game-changer. We talked about everything from pricing and networking to the power of mindset and the importance of detaching your art from the business hustle.
The Real Deal: Key Points
- The Art of Detachment: We explored the struggle of separating our creative souls from the business side of our work.
- Done is Better Than Perfect: Perfectionism can be a real buzzkill, right? Tamera reminded us that sometimes, “done” is better than “perfect.”
- The Power of LinkedIn: We talked about how LinkedIn can be a goldmine for connecting with your audience and growing your business. Forget the stuffy, corporate vibes; it’s time to show up authentically and build genuine connections.
- Negotiation Doesn’t Have to Be Scary: Negotiating can feel intimidating, but Tamera broke it down in a way that makes it feel totally approachable. She shared her top tips for advocating for yourself and your worth.
The Importance of Mindset: Your mindset is everything, and Tamera reminded us that we have the power to rewrite the stories we tell ourselves. It’s time to ditch the limiting beliefs and embrace a mindset of abundance and possibility.
About Tamera
Tamera is the producer and creative force behind Darden Creative, which is based in New York City. After years in corporate retail, she transitioned her merchandising, styling, and creative skills to producing compelling content for beauty and product photography clients. Her work is known for capturing joy, creativity, and fun with a bright, clean, and colorful aesthetic.
When not bringing a brand’s vision to life, Tamera shares her expertise with outlets like Vogue Business, LinkedIn, and Alt Summit. She also enjoys staying active with workouts and dreaming of sunny skies and the beach.
Episode Breakdown
- Focusing on one social media platform with KPIs.
- Encouraging authenticity and vulnerability on LinkedIn.
- Networking and detaching emotions.
- Separating art from business.
- Setting clear parameters before negotiating.
- Reframing rejection as an opportunity.
- Taking ownership of your business.
- Rewriting self-limiting beliefs and embracing challenges.
- Your “why” can evolve and doesn’t have to be profound.
Action Checklist
- Define your “why” (your motivation for pursuing photography).
- Choose ONE social media platform to focus on.
- Set 3-month KPIs for your chosen platform.
- Identify 3-5 non-negotiables for your business.
- Practice a negotiation conversation. (Use a real-life scenario if possible).
- Send 10 outreach emails to potential clients or collaborators.
- Rewrite one self-limiting belief into an empowering belief.
- Schedule one hour each week for self-care and reflection.
Resources
- The Photo CEO Book: A book about the photography business by Tamera Darden. Amazon
- Darden Creative: Tamera Darden’s creative agency. Darden Creative
- The Photo CEO Substack: Tamera Darden’s photography business newsletter. Substack
