We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Danielle Cowdrey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Danielle below.

Hi Danielle, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

As an artist, the first challenge is that you usually fall into a niche. You have to find your audience which is not always easy. Social media is great, but can also be complex when it comes to algorithms and understanding when and how much to post on different platforms. Video has also really changed the game with reels, TikTok, and YouTube. It’s a whole new dimension to learn and it requires a level of vulnerability to put yourself or your work on video. The second biggest challenge is giving your work the monetary value it deserves. They say something is only worth what someone will pay for it, which is true but there is an investment that come with being an artist in supplies, your time, marketing, etc. When I first started my business I reached out to a lot of artists to figure out how to price my work. And the one factor that affects everyone is the economy. Sometimes people just cannot afford to spend extra money and especially on something like art.

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 have always been interested in the arts. I participated in choir and theatre growing up and have always enjoyed going to exhibits. During Covid I started doing some paint by numbers and started getting different artist’s reels. It finally gave me the courage to try painting myself and it turned into an immediate passion. I started with tutorials and inexpensive materials to make sure it was something I wanted to stick with. I used YouTube tutorials to build different skills and gave away my first paintings to family and friends. Then I started having people ask if other pieces were for sale or if I could do commissions. I started my business less than a year ago and it’s slow but going well. I envision a very different future for myself now where I can grow into having my own dedicated studio and maybe even a gallery. I would love to see more of my pieces in people’s homes and offices. I create my pieces out of love and want to share that with the world.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the things that gave me the time to start my online gallery was being laid off from my full time job of 12 years. I immediately started working as an independent contractor, working from home. It gave me over 10 additional hours a week to invest in my art. It was an incredibly emotional time for me and so art also gave me a way to express all of those feelings. I thought I would be with my previous company until I retired, so suddenly leaving was quite the shock and required me to take some risks. It turned out to be the best change I never wanted.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Your current circle of friends, family, and colleagues will most likely be your first customers and will also be your biggest cheerleaders. Lean on those people to help promote you in an organic way. I started with a giveaway when I first launched my website and it helped build my contact list. I have celebrated sales, posted pictures of my work in their new homes, and tried to put myself out there by applying to different exhibits and other opportunities. Within my first few months of painting I had a couple of pieces chosen as Commended in an art competition at the University of Oxford. Not only have these things helped grow my reputation as an artist, they have also helped me build confidence in myself and my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://acdcart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ac.dcart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564769750068&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-cowdrey-mba-pmp?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app