We were lucky to catch up with Tisha Taylor recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tisha, appreciate you joining us today. Covid has brought about so many changes – has your business model changed?

Certainly! Covid has forced me to reevaluate and transform my business model in ways I never anticipated. Prior to the pandemic, my business primarily revolved around providing face painting and balloon twisting on weekends, while working another job during the week. However, when Covid hit, both of my sources of income came to a halt. It was a challenging situation that required me to find a new way to generate income.

During this uncertain period, I made the decision to revisit my passion for painting on canvas, which I had set aside for 17 years. Initially, I had concerns about whether my artwork would be marketable online. However, given the sink-or-swim nature of the situation, I decided to push forward, despite my fears. As I began showcasing my art online, that’s when my business started to gain traction and take off.

Tisha, 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?

My name is Tisha Taylor, also known as Tee Taylor, and I am the proud owner of Taylored Faces in Balloons LLC, located in Philadelphia. I graduated from Moore College and Design, where I earned a degree in illustration with a minor in fine arts. Following my graduation, the unfortunate events of 9/11 resulted in a scarcity of job opportunities in my field. This prompted me to explore the idea of starting my own business, despite having limited knowledge about the process.

One day, while attempting to vend downtown, I encountered a girl who was face painting and noticed the overwhelming demand for her services. Intrigued, I approached her to inquire about her pricing. It was in that moment that I realized face painting was the path I wanted to pursue at the time.

However, when I reached out to local face painting businesses to get started, I was informed that I needed to build a portfolio first. To overcome this hurdle, I set up a face painting table at festivals and offered my services free of charge, relying on tips as compensation. Gradually, I built up my portfolio and gained valuable experience by working with different companies in the industry. In 2016, I finally took the leap and established my own company, specializing in face painting and balloon art. Despite my passion, I initially hesitated to make it a full-time endeavor due to fears and uncertainties.

The arrival of the Covid pandemic served as a turning point for my business. It was during this challenging time that I fully committed to my entrepreneurial journey. Today, I offer a diverse range of services, including face painting, body painting, balloon twisting, live painting on canvas at weddings and other events, as well as creating custom artwork for clients. I have expanded my reach by selling my artwork to clients across the United States and displaying it in galleries.

One aspect of my business that sets me apart is the connection I establish with people through sharing my personal challenges. From being dyslexic to struggling with anxiety, I openly discuss these experiences, which resonates with others. People appreciate following my artistic journey and celebrating my achievements alongside me. I believe that my story serves as an inspiration, particularly for those who desire to transition from their 9-to-5 jobs but are held back by fear. I aim to demonstrate that with determination and self-belief, anyone can pursue their dreams and overcome obstacles standing in their way.

I take great pride in the personal growth I have achieved by breaking free from my self-imposed limitations and learning to embrace fearlessness and faith in my art and myself.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social media requires a combination of networking, understanding your followers, and leveraging engaging content. As an artist, there are a few strategies I employed to grow my social media following.

Firstly, I found that painting live wherever possible was an effective way to connect with people and expand my audience. Whether it was at events, festivals, or even through live streaming on platforms like Instagram or Facebook, showcasing my art in real-time allowed people to witness my creative process and engage with me directly.

Additionally, I experimented with creating reels or short videos that captured interesting moments or unique aspects of my artwork. One particular reel that gained traction was when I decided to paint over an existing painting and transform it into something new. This video went viral and attracted a significant number of followers. While some viewers were saddened by the painting being covered, they were also excited to see the creation of a new piece of art.

Understanding the preferences and interests of my audience was crucial. By actively engaging with my followers through comments, direct messages, and polls, I gained valuable insights into what content they enjoyed and what resonated with them. This allowed me to tailor my future posts to their preferences and create a more meaningful connection with my audience.

Consistency was another key factor in growing my social media presence. By regularly sharing my artwork, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and personal stories, I kept my followers engaged and coming back for more. Developing a posting schedule and sticking to it helped maintain a steady flow of content and demonstrated my commitment to sharing my artistic journey with my audience.

Lastly, collaboration and cross-promotion with other artists, influencers, or relevant accounts in my niche played a role in expanding my reach. By partnering with others for joint projects, shout-outs, or sharing each other’s content, I tapped into their existing audience and introduced myself to a wider network of potential followers.

Overall, building a social media audience as an artist requires a combination of creating captivating and relatable content, engaging with your followers, and leveraging collaborations and networking opportunities to expand your reach.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Currently, my most successful source for attracting new clients is TikTok. By painting live and sharing my process on the platform, I have been able to build a significant client base. TikTok provides me with access to a diverse audience, including those who are willing to invest in higher-priced paintings.

One of the advantages of TikTok is its supportive community for artists. I have been able to connect with fellow artists and enthusiasts, and you never know who might be watching your content. This networking aspect of TikTok has led to valuable connections and opportunities.

In addition to TikTok, I have also utilized other social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook to reach potential clients. These platforms allow me to showcase my artwork, engage with followers, and establish my brand presence. Through consistent posting and active interaction, I have been able to attract new clients who resonate with my art and storytelling.

It’s worth noting that word-of-mouth referrals have also played a significant role in acquiring new clients. Satisfied customers who have experienced my art firsthand often recommend me to their friends, family, or colleagues, leading to additional business opportunities.

Overall, a combination of TikTok, social media platforms, and positive client referrals has proven to be a successful strategy for attracting new clients. By leveraging the power of social media and fostering connections within the artistic community, I have been able to expand my clientele and reach a wider audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TayloredFacesPhilly.com
• Instagram: Taylored _ _Faces
• Facebook: Artist Tee Taylor
• Youtube: TeeRossTaylor
• Other: Facebook: TayloredFaces