I wouldn't be the same person I am today without my mom!
A big “Mother’s Day Shout Out” to all you mother’s out there!
As I am apt to say, “Parenting ain’t no joke!” (Good grammar I know but it sounds good when I say it with much enthusiasm!) Until you are a parent yourself there really is no way to understand just what it is to be so attached to, responsible for, concerned about, delighted in and yes, sometimes frustrated with your child.
I made a card with this artist in flowers for my mom this year. Inside I wrote, “Mom, I wouldn’t be the person I am today without you telling me I could be anything I put my mind to. Thank You!”
Now I wish I had added a line for her to come read this blog post — but don’t worry, I’ll email her.
I appreciate her for letting me try every craft under the sun growing up. For buying me art supplies and Christmas decoration making kits – and for hanging those hand-made treasures on the tree. For putting my work on the fridge and later on the wall – showing my that my art was important, no matter the technique or medium.
Without parents who encourage creativity in children, there would be no artists. Without a support system that tells us to follow our passion, work through the rough times and stay the course, fewer of us would be in business. Today is the day I thank my mom for her unending love, support and influence in my life. I also think about how I can and do encourage my son in his creative endeavors.
So today, find a mom and acknowledge her hard work! Maybe it’s your mom, your friend or your neighbor. Because as I said in the beginning… Parenting ain’t no joke!
Happy Mother’s Day to you and yours! Here’s a photo of some of the mom’s in my life…
– Tara
What Eddie Haskell Can Teach Us About Business
Eddie Haskell came to my house today.
Don’t believe me? Let me explain.
I have a 15 year old son who usually comes home with one friend or another after school. So, like I usually do, I walked down from my studio to say hi and see who that someone was today.
It was Mike and so I said, “Hi – how was your day today?” Fully expecting something along the lines of “Horrible, it is a school day.” The normal teenage boy response.
Instead I was told, “Amazing thank you. How was your day?” A sheepish grin on his face.
“Amazing?” I asked. “Why, were all your classes canceled?”
“No. I just had the most delightful time learning.” (Yeah right!) His sheepish grin then turned into a devilish laugh.
“Oh boy! Eddie Haskell has arrived!” I said, laughing as well. Then came the quizzical looks that instantly transported me from laughing along to feeling way older than my 40 odd years!
You guessed it. They never heard of Eddie Haskell. “Leave it To Beaver? Nope. Whatever mom. Nick-at-Nite is so elementary school.
This little exchange got me to thinking… where is the fine line between doing what it takes to make your client or customer happy and turning into an Eddie Haskell who says whatever he thinks a person wants to hear but isn’t true to his word?
Here are 3 rules of thumb to keep you this side of Eddie Haskell-ville:
- Only say what your client wants to hear if you plan to deliver on what you say. If you can’t make a deadline, be honest – they will appreciate you saying ‘no’ so they can find someone else to fill their need instead of you not coming through at the last minute.
- Don’t pass the buck. If you promise something and can’t deliver, take responsibility, don’t try and pass it off on someone else. Sometimes stuff happens. Things come up. Creative juices get clogged and you can’t deliver like you wanted to. Again, honesty is the best policy.
- Be a team player, don’t try to divide and conquer the team. Remember that you and the manufacturer are a team – they need you just like you need them so work together to create great art for products that will sell at retail. That is, after all, what needs to happen for you to make any money!
Even in 1957 people weren’t fooled by Eddie Haskell’s attempts at false flattery. And 50 years later, with “Integrity”, “Accountability” and “Transparency” being the buzz words of 2009, he’d be up a creek without a paddle.
The lesson to be learned – be true to your word, be responsible for your actions and be a team player. Take those three things to heart and you are sure to go far!
– Tara
P.S. The photo is ©CBS or ABC…not sure… “Leave It To Beaver” TV Series.
P.P.S. To freshen up on your Eddie Haskell facts CLICK HERE
Any Freelancers looking for a great source of information?
Two weekends ago I spent my Saturday morning talking to two very interesting and talented artists… Bob Ostrom and Chris Wilson.
They have created an amazing resource for freelance artists – an interview / podcast series called “Creative Independence!” The goal of this show is to explore and highlight the many and varied ways that intelligent and creative people are using their talents to create and run businesses that generate income in ways that are fulfilling and often do not include billing for hourly, project or any other pay per work rate.
CLICK HERE to listen to my interview about Art Licensing.
Then roam around the site and see what other information and inspiration you can find.
There are so many ways we can earn a living with our art, find the right mix for you.
Here’s to your creative success – Tara
Paul Brent number 94 on License! Magazine's Top 100 licensors for 2008
Wow! How lucky are we that we have access to such a successful artist in the licensing arena!
Each year, License! Magazine publishes their list of Top 100 licensors and Paul Brent has been one of the few individual artists to consistently make the cut. With retail sales featuring his art estimated at $67 Million for 2008 — Paul Brent knows what he is doing! (click here to download the full list)
Here is what the entry says:
Consistent retail growth in 2008 for the Paul Brent brand was due to the continuing commitment by several key licensing relationships, including a new partnership with The Paradies Shops,
Allure Home Creations’ placement of bath coordinates with Bed Bath & Beyond stores and a successful line of handbags licensed
with Sun N Sand Accessories, which was sold to Belk’s Department Stores among others.
This year, Paul Brent licensees will introduce more than 1,000 licensed products—the most ever in a single year. He will continue
to develop art that appeals to his more than 90 licensees and key retail partners such as Beall’s, Steinmart, Bed Bath & Beyond,
Coldwater Creek, Belk and Kohl’s, while also building new relationships.
Did you know we will be doing another “Ask Paul Brent” call on Wednesday, June 24, 2009? Start submitting your questions now at www.AskPaulBrent.com.
Paul is also available for coaching — for details CLICK HERE.
We can also look forward to an eBook or two in the coming months so stay tuned…
Congratulations Paul and horray for us to have the benefit of his wisdom and experience.
~ Tara
No Payroll Processing for Me Today! Thank you PAYCHEX!
Ahh… now THIS is what it’s all about! Look at my bank account and there is my pay. Let me tell you about the last year of my life…
My accountant told me I needed to start paying myself payroll so the state of Oregon doesn’t come after me. Tri-Met taxes, etc. I figured, I’m educated, my accounting professor wanted me to become an accountant, I should be able to handle payroll for myself, right? (yeah, yeah… I took accounting a long time ago but still do my bookkeeping, etc.)
So… my accountant did the first round and told me what to do each month and each quarter. I logged in and did my thing. Then the mail started coming… you put the wrong number here… you forgot one of the forms… not only was I spending my time masquerading as an accountant instead of spending my time painting or marketing, I got to know a few of the nice people at the state level who help those of us who dot “t”s and cross “i”s by mistake.
About a month ago I finally gave in to the concept of outsourcing. There comes a point in your business where you actually lose money (or sleep or free time) by not paying money for someone else to take over some of the work load. Realistically, I probably hit that point about a year ago but was unwilling to admit it.
Meet my new best payroll friend – Nancy Judson. She works with Paychex and has been so awesome getting me all set up. Since I’m the owner and only employee, the cost for them handling my payroll, paying all the Federal and State taxes, reports (monthly, quarterly & year-end) is less than $50/month. WOW! I can assure you I was burning more than $50 of my time, not to mention the stress and headaches of trying to deal with it all.
Sorry Shilo in the Oregon Department of Revenue, our nice chats about where I put numbers have come to an end. I am passing the baton to Paychex and getting back to what I do best… art and marketing.
If you want to learn more about Paychex and how they might be able to help you, I’d love for you to call Nancy. (Networking, right? Plus I know she will answer your questions and treat you right!) No matter where you are she can get you started and if you want someone local for ongoing service, she can get you set up. CLICK HERE to email her and keep your focus on your art.
~ Tara
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