We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Margaret Dowling-Murphy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Margaret, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

While part of me wishes I started pursuing art professionally years ago, I know the years I spent doing other things brought me to this point in my life. As a former communications professional, I learned writing and marketing skills that I use today. As a high school teacher, I learned how to execute various roles, juggle deadlines, and navigate different personalities. Plus, along the way, I made connections with many of the amazing people who are still in my life.

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 been creating art in a variety of mediums since childhood, but I got away from it as I had a family and life got busier. When the pandemic hit and my educational business paused, I saw an opportunity to collaborate with my husband, a woodworker, and expand my craft. I learned to translate my skills to wood, developing new styles and incorporating other textures, such as glass, stones, and resin. I slowly started selling pieces and eventually developed an e-commerce site and began doing vendor events. We are about to celebrate 3 years in business, and I have developed my own unique blend of skills and mediums.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve had to pivot in my career as my family demands evolved over the years. Luckily, I had education and skills to leverage, so when needed, I was able to build my professional life around my family. It’s not easy building a business, especially a messy, art business out of a home full of kids and life, but it has enabled me to be there for them while also pursuing my passion. I often joke that we’re building a future on sawdust and dreams.

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

One night, as my husband and business partner listened to my frustration about the slow growth of our young business, he asked me, “If you never sold another piece, would you stop doing it?”

“No,” I said, knowing that I would always want – no NEED – to create. But I was debating if I could justify the time, effort, and money I was putting into the business.

I had to learn a lesson that James Clear outlines in his book, “Atomic Habits.” He describes “The Plateau of Latent Potential” which is “the time gap between the results we expect and the reality. It generally takes longer than we think to reach the outcomes we desire.” Simply put, building anything – a new skill, a business, a habit – takes longer than we expect.

Social media barrages us with stories of overnight successes, but the secret is that few talk about the slow months or years leading up to that one – or, more likely, a few – break(s). On the way, we may find ourselves in what Clear calls, “The Valley of Disappointment,” where our motivation wanes as we witness slow, or no growth, and find ourselves plagued by doubts, fears, and low confidence. We are tempted to give up, but giving up never yields success.

I’ve gotten frustrated by pieces that went sideways, merchandise that got dusty, and bills that exceeded my sales, but I have also been fueled by a piece that works out better than intended, a few good sales, or a heartfelt note from an appreciative client.

Fortunately, I have had a partner who never ever stops encouraging and supporting me. He calls me the “Bamboo Specialist” alluding to Clear’s metaphor of the bamboo plant, which seemingly grows overnight, but in reality, it builds its root system for years underground and out of sight.

I recognize the ups and downs…I keep going, keep creating, and look for the young shoots signaling the breakthrough bamboo.

I often think back to the question he posed to me that night: Would I stop? I don’t think I can.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.MurphyWoodArt.com
• Instagram: @MurphyWoodArt and @magsdmartwork
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MurphyWoodArt
• Youtube: @MurphyWoodArt
• Other: TikTok @MurphyWoodArt