We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Peggy Dean a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Peggy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

As a creative entrepreneur, I had convinced myself that the key to success was to do everything myself. I believed that my unique vision and passion were the only things that could truly drive my business forward. However, I realized much later that this mindset was significantly holding me back.

When I finally decided to let go of some control and hand off tasks to others, my workflow was supercharged. I was able to focus on the things that I was truly passionate about, while I outsourced the things that weren’t my zone of genius, but were for the people I gave those tasks to.

At first, this was incredibly difficult. I think all creative entrepreneurs who have poured their heart and soul into their business can agree. I now know that it’s not only important, but incredibly necessary, to understand that delegating doesn’t mean giving up control or compromising on quality. Instead, it allows you to prioritize and focus on the things that truly matter to you and that make the most impact for your business in the long run, while still ensuring that the other important aspects of your business are taken care of.

Peggy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am the founder of The Pigeon Letters, a creative platform that offers online courses, workshops, and resources for artists at all stages in their creative journey. My business stands for empowering individuals to unleash their creativity and embrace their unique style. It’s my passion to teach individuals how to confidently hone their skills in their art using various mediums and techniques, such as modern calligraphy, line drawing, watercolor and gouache painting, and digital art on Procreate. I also emphasizes the importance of community and support, offering opportunities for individuals to connect with other artists and creatives. The Pigeon Letters is not just about creating art, but also about creating a positive and supportive community that encourages individuals to embrace their creativity and pursue their passions. With that as a core pillar in my values, I host a membership for creative entrepreneurs that helps them to navigate all the moving parts of creating and sustaining creative business of their very own.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My first book was a passion project of mine. I desperately wanted to write a book about brush lettering, and at the time, nothing like it was on the market. I started working on a book before I kicked off my creative career full time, which involved going into the back room at my salon in between clients to bring this dream to life. I didn’t have any contacts in the publishing world, but I was too excited to wait to get started.

My book was about 75% finished when I started pitching to publishers. At the time, I knew nothing about what a good pitch should look like, so I did my best to compose intriguing emails and fired them off. I felt a mixture of imposter syndrome along with confidence in what I was creating, which was a strange feeling. I thought the waiting period was the worst until I started receiving “no” responses.

Some pitched other ideas instead of what I was working on.
Some said it’s not something they’re interested in.
Some said they’re already in the works with another author on the topic.
And some never replied at all.

This was extremely discouraging, to say the least. But I refused to let any of that be final. I researched how I could release this book on my own and discovered the world of self publishing. Without getting too far into the details, I’ll just say that the self publishing process taught me a lot -the hard way- and I’m better now because of it.

The big picture results? The book was released as the first of its kind. It did so well that it earned the title of #1 New Release, and Best Seller, and even landed on end caps in stores, despite everything I read saying that self published books don’t make it into the retail market.

The real kicker? A handful of the publishers that told me “no” returned a few weeks after I published and offered to pick up my book for distribution. This time, I was able to say “Ya know, turns out I didn’t need you after all. I see these numbers too. So I’m returning this back to you: No.” (Obviously this isn’t verbatim, I was much more professional about it, but you get it.)

This is a valuable story that I remind myself of when I’m feeling stifled, and I like to share with others because it’s an example of how resilience can have a huge payoff.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Accessibility is a key component of my mission as an artist and educator. I believe that everyone should have access to the tools and resources they need to create, regardless of their background or circumstances. For me, this means creating courses and resources that are affordable and easy to access, as well as offering support and guidance to those who may be new to the creative world, along with those looking to establish a creative career of their own.

Empowerment is another driving force behind my mission. I believe that creating art is not just about the finished product, but also about the process. Through my courses, community membership, and resources, I aim to empower individuals to embrace imperfections, take risks, and explore new ideas. I want to help individuals realize their full potential as artists and feel confident in their ability to express themselves through their work.

Guidance is also a crucial component of my mission and I strive to offer a platform through The Pigeon Letters that not only provides access and empowerment but also direction. Whether it’s through personalized feedback or structured courses, my goal is to help people develop their skills and reach their full potential as artists.

Ultimately, my mission as an artist, educator, and creative entrepreneur is to provide a platform that is accessible, empowering, and guiding for anyone with a passion to create. I believe that everyone has the potential to be a great artist, and it’s my goal to help individuals unlock that potential and share their unique perspective with the world. Whether it’s through my courses, resources, or community, I aim to create a space that encourages and supports creativity, no matter who you are or where you come from.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thepigeonletters.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thepigeonletters
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/thepigeonletters
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggydean/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/thepigeonletters