We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sergio Santos a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Sergio thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.
I was fairly savvy as far as using social media for marketing early on, but If I could go back–I would be way more aggressive about learning the ins and outs of new social medias as they formed and adopting them earlier.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My mother planted the seeds of the artist in me from an early age. Early memories consist of creative projects she’d have me doing with construction paper and crayons. Discipline, regarding art came easily, because it’s child’s play to me, and I never outgrew that child. I love getting up every day and playing in the studio.
A lot of the art that resonates with my clients is very rooted in that energy I think. That young energy resonates, not that I’m young, but the excitement of those happy times that come with being a kid are heavily present. I believe that is need my artwork fills. That need to return to those happy places. My artwork does that both through content, and process.
Being distinct in the artworld is very easy in my opinion. Art is something that is individual to each creator. What sets me apart, however, I think is my willingness to share and celebrate the work. That doesn’t come as easily to an artist. It’s all very personal. Even when I am working with pop-culture, the world sees me. That can be intimidating, but I’m not afraid. I don’t think anyone else should be either, but I get it when they are. It can be scary.
I’m proud of everything I produce, and just humbled and thankful for those that embrace and celebrate it with me.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Prior to Covid, I was very much an artist that you saw in person. either at galleries or festivals. Back on that infamous March Thursday when it seemed like the world was shutting down, I was, like many people, scared. After a little hyperventilating, I got to work on my social media and online marketing.
To this day, it’s primarily how I sell work. I also, I was thankful that I had been doing my good share of online activity all of these years, because, man–did it come in handy. I actually have a bigger audience than before the pandemic now. Definitely make lemonade, when given lemons!
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
As far as painting and drawing, these mediums are at an advantage. Paint can be applied to just about anything. Drawing, takes paper. There’s no obstacle there. There’s just will, and how committed you are to creating, followed by sharing and marketing the work you produce. I started by creating like crazy and pushing it out into the world. I like to keep my inventory high, so that I always have art to sell and exhibit. It sounds simplistic when I read what I just wrote, but it kind of is that simple.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.elsantosworld.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/elsantosworld
- Facebook: facebook.com/elsantosworld
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elsantosworld/
- Twitter: twitter.com/elsantosworld
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzgt0lUfqq1qa5HcRg6SHfw
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@elsantosworld
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Juan Zamora