Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Georgia Tardy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Georgia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I am more fulfilled as a business owner than being an employee.

I have worked since I was 14 years old and have had every kind of job under the sun from corporate America to housekeeper. So I don’t have to wonder what it is like to have a “regular” job because I’ve had so many job experiences in a variety of industries. I don’t miss being an employee nor do I regret my decision to start my own business. Don’t get me wrong it’s hard as hell out here! But I would much rather spend my time building my own dream than someone else’s.

As a business owner, things get scary and unpredictable at times. There are high moments and low ones. The last time I had thought about getting a regular job was during a time when my business and personal life were in disarray and I needed a sense of stability. The thing about being a business owner is that you don’t turn it off like clocking out of work for the day. You still have to manage life circumstances and your business constantly. I came to the realization that getting a job isn’t any less risky than starting a business because the companies that we put so much faith in go under all the time. People get laid off. We just went through a global pandemic that shifted the workforce in a historical way. That truly opened my eyes to the fact that nothing is permanent and if I am going to spend 8 – 10 hours a day working, it will be on my own terms. So I decided to put my trust in God, focus all of my energy on my own business and celebrate every small win.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have been an artist since childhood, professionally since 2005.

I am a fine artist and educator. I create abstract paintings, murals, apparel, and graphic design. I offer art education experiences for adults and children through group and individual art classes and workshops.

I am all about creating opportunities for others to discover and nurture their creativity. I exist for people who desire to tap into their own creativity and discover more of themselves as artists.

My overall mission is to expand the narrative of art and artists in our society and to show the younger generation that being a professional artist is an option.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn was waiting for someone else to make my business successful. We are conditioned to believe that someone else is going to come along, discover what we do, and magically elevate us to unbelievable levels of success. I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s, the era of being “discovered”. MTV birthed the music video, and supermodels emerged making us believe that you had to have an “it” factor and someone would choose you out of thousands of hopefuls. Recording artists, models, actors, etc. all had these mystical discovery stories and I grew up believing that’s how success happened.

Now, it’s about doing something that goes viral on social media and BAM! Success! The main lesson is that true sustained success is not instant, it is a slow burn and you have to stick it out for the long haul. And it is solely your responsibility, no one else’s.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

The first book that opened my eyes to how I have to think as a business owner and how crucial it is to adapt when needed is Good to Great (Jim Collins). The second book that impacted me, and still does, is The Law of Success (Napoleon Hill) because it speaks to human behavior as well as business principles. Lastly, a book I am reading now that is reminding me of very important fundamental things and restoring my inner fire is You Owe You (Eric Thomas).

Contact Info:

• Website: georgiatardyart.com
• Instagram: @georgiatardyart