Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to John Cobb. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
John, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge in the line of work I do is consistently finding new customers who are looking for custom metal work, whether it’s art pieces, one off furniture or more. Finding the customers that are looking for someone like me and what I can offer has been inconsistent and sometimes difficult, I don’t do a great job of marketing myself and I think some of the problems lie here. I get so busy running a business and working on projects it’s sometimes hard to actively promote and seek more business before it’s needed.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
It’s taken years to fully realize who I am, but at heart I’m a creator. Whether profitable or not I love to make, create, build, from traditional canvas art to metal art. The age of 3 my parents introduced me to legos and I was absolutely captivated. I literally had building blocks to create whatever my mind thought up. It was an obsession and started me down the path that nourished my creative desire. Later this lead into drawing and painting for years. This eventual branched out to learning to weld and fabricate. The combining years and everything I learned and was passionate all to what it is today. Creativity has no boundaries or limits. I am an avid musician who rights music, a painter and love drawing and also now in the latter part of my life a welder and fabricator that allows me to make and build anything my imagination pleases. You are never one thing or do one thing. My years of exploring the arts and creating has been a cumulative journey that has lead me here. If tomorrow I can’t make a living what I’m doing now, then the creative and entrepreneurial side of me will seek and find to do what I love, create. What I like to people what I do now is make “art you can use”.
Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?
Whether starting out for the first time or even restarting your business your online presence is key. We live in a day and time where having a successful business can be done without a brick and mortar shop front. Social media and even eventually taking out ads on those platforms can grow your business exponentially. To really get started I made an account on Etsy and eBay and was able to start and grow my business. My target market it very niche and this allowed me to find these customers I would have never normally found. Most of my business comes from outside of the state. I have a heavy online presence but no shop front and I proudly work from my home. Minimal overhead with maximum exposure, I’m an artist and creator but being business and financially smart is absolutely essential.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
As an artist or business owner difficulties and even failure is always a looming cloud. Persistence is key. However unblinded faith and determination won’t necessarily make things work. I have had many times where business slowed down and I had to go back to a 9 to 5 job. If this happens you did not fail but it’s a time to reflect, re-evaluate and figure out what you need to do differently. It could be timing or even approach. I may love to make v8 engine block coffee tables, however the market may not be there. Do your homework, see what products, services and industries are in demand. Keep your business alive even if it’s a side hustle. Then as opportunities open see if you can take it further.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.alarisinvent.com
- Instagram: @alaris_invent
- Facebook: Alaris Invent
- Youtube: Alaris invent
Image Credits
Jon_stacy photography