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

Alright, Samuel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I have been able to make a full-time living from my creative work, but it took a while to get to a comfortable place financially. I have had to wear many different “hats” to piece together the career I have now. I teach private electric and upright bass lessons and music classes, perform regularly in bands, and build wooden housewares and custom furniture. It is a real balancing act to make it all work, but I am fortunate to do what I love to make a living.

Musically, it has taken years to earn a solid reputation. Being on time, prepared, and easy to work with have been the keys to my success.

With my woodworking business, Hawley House Studio, I have built the business slowly over a few years. My first projects were for friends and family. People started to react positively to my projects on social media and the business has continued to grow from there. Caroline, my incredibly gifted wife, has been a huge help in building our brand from the beginning. She is a true marketing wiz!

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

Ever since I can remember, I have been drawing, building hang gliders, banging on pots and pans, generally being creative. I grew up working with wood alongside my father and being encouraged to pursue my passions by my mother. When my friends wanted to start a rock band, I picked up a bass guitar. By the time I hit eighth grade, I knew I wanted to be a professional musician. I went on to get my master’s degree in jazz studies on the upright and electric bass. I have worked professionally as a musician ever since. I really feel like I have a calling to create.

I always try to be a light on stage. I love music and the way it brings people together. I am proud when an audience member tells me I look like I am having fun. Hopefully, it gives them the chance to have fun as well.

Hawley House Studio, my woodworking business, started during the 2020 lockdown. The first week of the lockdown, the coffee shop I was working for at the time was giving bonuses for posting on Instagram about things you were learning during this strange time (#neverstoplearning). I decided that I would build us a dining table and posted the process on Instagram. Friends began to ask me to build them furniture. The business has grown organically ever since.

Hawley House Studio is known for heirloom-quality wood pieces with clean, modern style!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think many people struggle to understand the trajectory of creative work as a profession. It is not a stable climb upward to success. I don’t have a boss offering me bonuses or raises. I don’t have anyone else to blame when I fail. When I want to make more money, I have to create opportunities, make smarter decisions about my time, and work incredibly hard. That is not to say people with bosses don’t have to work hard or create opportunities. I just mean, I really have to be my own boss and push myself to do the things that are challenging for me. A creative’s path is full of low valleys and high peaks. Having a good support system and someone to celebrate with is imperative to making a creative career!

Additionally, non-creatives can sometimes assume that as a professional musician, you’re automatically a “starving artist”. It’s like they automatically pity you and assume you are really struggling. You can earn a good living and love what you do! I hope this encourages creatives as well – it is possible! Keep pushing.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think the best way for society to support artists and creativity is to create spaces where people can gather — places where many forms of art can come together and feed off each other’s ideas! There is art happening all around us, but we are slowly losing the places that have supported the arts throughout history. Being a patron of the arts is an incredibly important role and I am so thankful for these vital community members. “Just showing up” and supporting live music will allow these spaces to remain.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.samwinternheimer.com/
• Instagram: @samwintern, @hawleyhousestudio

Image Credits
First Image by: Yann Cabello