We were lucky to catch up with Sophia Early recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sophia, thanks for joining us today. Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?
Vacations and traveling are key elements that drive my creativity and productivity. I love the inspiration of the incredible architecture of a city and the unique landscapes of the countryside. The energy of a particular place can spark new ideas, and refresh me mentally and spiritually.
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 am a graphic designer and artist. My works include paintings, pen and ink drawings, mix media and computer designs. My graphic design work includes clean and quirky styles. My other artistic endeavors include pen and ink drawings of commercial architecture and residential homes. My paintings and mix media works vary depending on the commission or inspiration I might have. I am a perfectionist and will spend long hours making my pieces the best they can be. I am precise in my approach and I prefer more literal pieces to abstract ones. I love working with a client and making their visions come to life.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I have learned that strong communication with my clients is key from the start. I had a project where I client wanted me to do a watercolor for the skyline of Houston. I had a quick discussion with the client and went to work. I worked on a style that appealed to me. When it was almost complete, I started to second guess if it was just right for this client. Before showing it to her, I went back to her and had her send me examples of similar pieces she had in her home. What I saw was that she wanted a more cartoony and whimsical style from what I was doing. I had to start over on a new piece. It was not my initial vision but in the end the client loved it. I also gave her the first piece and she gave it to her son who loved that style as well. It was lesson learned that when doing a commission, I must have a strong list of questions prepared and get a real feel for client expectations before I am too far along.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clients for my business is word of mouth. I have gained new business from people seeing my work in past clients homes or through pictures they post on social media. I am blessed to live in a very connected community that supports local artists.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sophiaearly.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: @Sophia.early.art
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-early-b645b9215/
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