We were lucky to catch up with Emily Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Emily thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?
I was working at my first market. I prepped my table for hours throughout the week before to make sure that everything was perfect. It took me an hour to pack everything into my car to drive to the market, and about an hour or so to set everything up once I got there. I’d been there watching people walk past my table for about an hour when another vendor approached my table. She loved the little chalkboard signs I was using to advertise my pricing. She said she wanted me to make some for her and asked me how much it would cost. I told her it would be $2 each and she agreed. She gave me a list of how many she wanted and what she wanted them all to say. Before I left the market, she came back again asking me to also make some bigger signs to put out on her table. We agreed on the pricing and deadline and exchanged contact information to keep in touch. Since then, she has hired me for several other projects and continues asking for more!
Emily, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’ve been creating art for as long as I can remember. I started really honing the craft in high school, but didn’t think I could ever make a business from it until last year when I finally had enough free time to work on making a business plan. I specialize in acrylic paintings of portraits, realism, landscapes, galaxies and space, and more recently, face painting and calligraphy. I started learning calligraphy for fun at first, but then I realized how I could incorporate it into my business as a service for weddings, showers, and parties. Additionally, there are a wide variety of paintings I can do, so I feel I’m well rounded, and clients can rely on me to finish anything they send my way. I’ve had more than one client tell me they had been looking for someone to do a project for them but couldn’t find anyone until I was recommended to them, which gives my work so much more value.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
Before starting my business, I slowly collected supplies over time. When I was ready to start really investing in my business, I used some of the money from the sale of my house to fund what I needed in order to get started. I used the money to purchase better quality paint, brushes, canvases, calligraphy pens, and other supplies as needed. I also had to buy supplies to use at markets and events such as a table, easels, tablecloth, bags, etc. I continuously look for ways to improve my products so that my clients will keep coming back in the future.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best sources for finding new clients have been Facebook recommendations and word of mouth. My friends, family, and previous clients consistently recommend me for new projects, which is how I am able to keep my business going. I believe recommendations are what can make or break any business.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Brianna Nelson Photography