We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful La’Shawnda Mansfield. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with La’Shawnda below.
Alright, La’Shawnda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later
If I could go back in time I wish I would have started sooner. I started my business in 2018, when I officially got an LLC and started treating my love for art and creating as more than a hobby but I way to make a living and soon build wealth one day. At that time when I started I worked at Federally Qualified Health Center as a Community Health Worker. Even though I love public health and helping people. Going to work and not truly loving what I do and dreading having to wake up and go to work everyday. I knew it was time for a change. If I had started sooner I would have taken advantage of using my art to produce multiple streams of income using social media. I would have applied for an artist residency to spend dedicated time on my work and learn from others in another state or country. However, the path I took was meant for me. Everything that has happened was supposed to happen exactly as it should have.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I started drawing in 3rd grade. My art teacher at the time told my mother to get me into a performing arts school. Since then I have been creating art of all types using all mediums. I do abstract art, portraits, sculptures, jewelry, body painting wearable art, and commissions upon request. If there is something you want I can create it. What sets me apart from others is I am not boxed in when it comes to my creativity. I don’t use just one medium or have one creative outlet like charcoal or pencil. I use all mediums and I paint a wide variety of things. And I am really proud that I allowed myself to do more than just one style of painting or drawing. Monotony is torture and variety in my art portfolio is important to me.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
What I had to unlearn is everything I have been taught in art classes. If I want to discover my own style I needed to unlearn a lot of those things I was taught. It kept me in a box and was an obstacle to my creative growth as an artist. We are all taught at a very young age that everything is a competition and if you lose you’re not good enough. When we are all winners and all good at our craft. I had to unlearn that competitive mindset that the next artist is my competition and a threat to my business.
How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.
I sell on my site. I decided to sell first on my site instead of Etsy or another platform because I honestly did not like all of the hidden fees and having to communicate with clients through that platform. Through my own site I am able to learn how to develop website, set up my products and have more control of my products on my website.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.createdbylala.com
- Instagram: @createdbylala
- Facebook: Created by LaLa
- Twitter: @lingerie_artist
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@createdbylala