Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tonia Nesmith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Tonia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Resilience. You have to be resilient in order to run a successful business. You have to be able & willing to go through unexpected problems/issues, but also be able to solve them in a timely manner. Rather than focusing on the problem, you must focus on the solution. Then & only then will you be a successful business owner.

Tonia, 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?

My name is Tonia but I go by SolelyArt & now SolelyLocs on both of my business pages. I started my art business after the pandemic struck. I felt it was the perfect time to put myself out there. I provide freelance art such as logos and/or customized artwork for those who are interested. I’m most proud of my ability to provide the client with what they envisioned, if not better. As an artist my mind has the ability to see the finished product before even starting. & to me that’s a beautiful, yet powerful thing. I want any future clients to know that I listen. It’s about their vision, their wants, & their needs. My clients will always come first because if not for them, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love for a living.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Working with a plethora of different clients can be trying. Depending on the client you’re working with, you have to be open to criticism & the fact that they may not like the work you’ve provided at all. Also, if you’re working with a client who doesn’t trust your artistic ability it can be frustrating as a creative. That’s where resilience comes into play. Resiliency helps you push through any negativity or feelings of doubt that can stem from not getting positive feedback from your clients. You have to know how to pivot, change your perspective, & problem solve. You have to understand that everyone’s mind works differently. Everyone sees the world differently. Just because someone doesn’t like what you provided doesn’t mean you’re not equipped to doing what they ask. It means you have to change your perspective to the client’s perspective. Always remember that no matter what business you’re working in: it’s about the client, not you. Take your pride out of the equation & running your business instantly becomes easier. In my opinion, that’s resilience at its best.

How did you build your audience on social media?

In my opinion, personality is everything. Of course we all know that consistency is key to growth, but having an inviting nature about yourself will always help with your growth on social media as well. People want to support people they relate to or simply someone that makes them feel good. So I’ve always make it a point to interact with as many people as I could. Or even showing love to smaller creators who are in the same place I once was. So don’t be afraid to interact with those who support you! No matter how big your audience becomes, ALWAYS make time for your followers. Never become so big headed that you forget how you got to that point. Remain open to others & you’ll continue to get love in return.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: SolelyArt_
• Twitter: solelytonia
• Other: Other Instagram Account: SolelyLocs