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

Samira, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Starting a business is a huge risk in itself. It is a commitment to offering services or products to people. When I started my journey I decided I had a talent I wanted to monetize. I did not realize I was basically creating another job. It quickly became supplemental income and gained traction. Owning a business can be scary and the risk honestly never goes away. You have to constantly keep it up. However, risks that pay off are worth it. I wouldn’t change a single step of my process.

Samira, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a visual artist who who has always loved anything creative. Now I own a business (Artwork By Samira) where I provide paintings and digital art for customers. I solve problems with my art in the community by creating memories. Often times I create paintings of someone’s lost loved one or them on their graduation day. My craft solidifies memories for people. I also create art for businesses who are looking to grow their brand. This is helpful because my art can help build a positive reputation so they earn future clients. Something I am proud of is I have had artwork reach many celebrities. This has benefited my resume and experience thus bringing more clients to my business. I want people to see what I do and know they can do anything if they put in the work.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I have always been a kind and understanding person. However I learned quickly that in the business world clients can take advantage of those characteristics. When trying to “people please” and accommodate everyone, it makes it harder to set boundaries. In my experience this refers to money. I had to unlearn being so forgiving and understanding. For example, people would give sad stories about how they don’t have money to pay me for the art I created. I would be overly accommodating and charge them less. I had to stop allowing people to cross boundaries because I have bills to pay too. I could have a sad story just like them. I wouldn’t necessarily say I had to unlearn being so kind, but I had to know when it’s appropriate to be kind and when I need to keep boundaries.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

One of my marketing risks was getting artwork to Lil Boosie. I was working an event and had some connections who helped me be in the right place at the right time. I brought my artwork and I had 10 seconds to get Boosie’s attention all while people were pushing and yelling trying to reach him too. He spotted my painting and said “I want that.” All the chaos paused for that moment and I felt accomplished. Then a year later someone tagged me in a YouTube video where Boosie was giving a mansion tour and he showed MY ARTWORK in his house. This was probably the most successful I have felt regarding my business. It was a risk that became a marketing WIN.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artworkbysamira.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artworkbysamira/profilecard
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtworkBySamira?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits

N/a