We were lucky to catch up with Victor Giraldo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Victor thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Being a business owner has been a unique experience for me. It comes with its fair share of ups and downs but it is, without a doubt, extremely fulfilling. On the one hand I have a freedom I’ve never experienced when previously working for employers.

I always think back to how it felt when having to ask permission to leave work for an emergency. Asking permission for anything really did not make me feel good because it was always an inconvenience to someone, but now it feels great to be able to pick my schedule and live on my own terms.

However, the downside of not working for a company is, I am now the entire company. Lead generating, accounting and billing, marketing, brand development, customer service, shipping, as well as production are now all on my shoulders until I can scale up my operation. Sometimes I wonder if its all worth it or if I should just throw in the towel.

During my first year working independently I was getting lucky by having work fall in my lap which put me in a comfortable place, but I soon learned that doesn’t always happen. Eventually I would get to the point where I was not getting any work and my finances were steadily depleting, this was when I wondered if I should just get a regular job again. Then I remembered the feeling of working for someone else and decided to keep going until I have no other choice.

From my experience I think the biggest break-throughs have always come when there was no sign of hope but I decided I wasn’t ready to give up. It feels amazing to be able to continue the journey, overcome obstacles and do what I love in spite of the hardships.

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 multidisciplinary artist from Hialeah, Florida. In 2017 I graduated from the University of Florida, by way of New World School of the Arts, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design.

From a young age I developed a passion for drawing and was inspired by my surroundings. Growing up I was immersed in latin family culture, Hip-Hop, movies, cartoons and video games, martial arts, and the the urban landscape which play a pivotal role in my work and personal life.

As a teenager I learned about graffiti and was always mesmerized by the large scale works I’d see in the streets or in magazines. It was a dream of mine to do that one day. Throughout my late teens and 20’s I would experiment with spray paint on walls and wooden boards any chance I’d get. Eventually through my connections at school and work I would meet many talented artists and graffiti writers who would share their wisdom with me for which I am forever grateful.

After graduating college I worked as a large scale printing operator for some years and eventually was offered a position as a full time graphic designer at another company. This was a big deal for me, however, my time at my dream job would be short lived due to the Covid 19 shut down. I eventually was let go of my position just as I was really starting to grow and see a bright future at a great company. Even though I felt lost I was also ok with my situation because I knew this was happening to countless others.

During the shut down I began to invest in my skills and started drawing again. First it was just a way to cope and stay occupied but then I realized I was on an even playing field and if I wanted to take it to the next level, this was the time to do it. I started drawing on small pieces of paper and eventually worked my way up by painting on left over 5 foot canvas rolls I still had from my previous job. This was where I decided I would go “all in” and invest in materials to start painting murals.

The plan was to paint as much as possible and get better, not knowing what was to come. I would find places where I could paint on walls without any issues and just concentrate. After a year of dedicated practice, not gaining any income from painting, I saw an opportunity. I offered my services to paint characters for a Christmas village that was being set up by the Curtiss Mansion in Miami Springs and I just had a blast. From that opportunity came another, and then another and this was when the hard work was starting to pay off.

I am now a dedicated muralist with large scale works throughout South Florida and I aspire to take my work all around the world. I specializes in photo realism and my work is an infusion of graffiti, illustration, fine art and graphic design.

In February of 2022 I officially registered my company “Victor Giraldo Art and Design, LLC”. I provide creative art and design services for businesses and offer help with projects that require my assistance. Illustration, large scale mural and sign painting, logo design and fine art portraits are what I love to do. I am learning so much as I continue to pursue my dream to provide the highest quality of art and design services to others.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me by far is client referrals. Word-of-mouth has been great for me and it really helps save time because there is already a sense of trust established because of my reputation that is shared by someone in relation to the client.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Consistency and creating relationships have helped me the most in building my reputation within the market.

By sharing my work and projects often throughout social media, people become engaged with my work and become part of the journey. Even if I am just sharing my doodles and experimentations people really get a sense of the passion and work that goes into creating.

Consistency of work output is important but I am really big on consistency of quality. By constantly pushing to get better and go further with each attempt I build a reputation of being serious about what I do.

And in every business engagement I do my best to be as professional as possible and create a lasting impression. It is important to establish a healthy relationship with clients and genuinely show you care. I think doing good work and being kind to others are essential.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vmgdesign.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vic_the_viper/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-m-giraldo-a6ba1689