5 Things You Should Know About Being a Small Business Artist

Being a small business artist is one of the most rewarding but demanding journeys you can embark on. It means building a life around your creativity, sharing your voice with the world, and learning to navigate the ups and downs of turning passion into livelihood. Here are five truths every small business artist learns along the way:

1. You’ll Wear Many Hats

When people picture artists, they often imagine someone peacefully painting away in a sunlit studio. While those moments do exist (and they’re glorious), they’re only one piece of the puzzle. As a small business artist, you become the photographer, the social media manager, the copywriter, the customer service rep, the packaging department, and the accountant—often all before lunch. It’s a lot to juggle, and sometimes it can feel overwhelming. But it also means that every piece of your business—from the colour palette of your Instagram feed to the care in your handwritten thank-you notes—is uniquely, entirely yours.

2. Talent Isn’t Enough

Being a good artist is just the start. What truly makes a sustainable art business work is consistency, resilience, and the willingness to learn. Talent can get you noticed, but showing up regularly, improving your craft, communicating with your audience, and being adaptable? That’s what keeps things moving forward. Building a business means committing to your art long after the initial spark of inspiration fades—and that commitment is what sets you apart.

3. You’ll Be Told to Niche Down

One of the most common pieces of advice out there is to "niche down" so your work is more marketable and easier to explain. And while that can be helpful for some, for others, it can feel stifling. If you're a multi-passionate artist who loves experimenting and exploring different subjects or styles, forcing yourself into a narrow box can dim your spark. Over time, your body of work will naturally start to take shape and make sense to others. Let your niche find you, not the other way around.

4. You Won’t Be Everyone’s Favourite — and That’s a Good Thing

Not everyone will connect with your art, and that’s not just normal—it’s healthy. You’re not creating for everyone. You’re creating for the people who resonate with your vision, your voice, and your way of seeing the world. Trying to appeal to everyone often leads to work that feels watered down or disconnected. The more honest and specific you are in your art, the more your true audience will recognise themselves in it.

5. You’ll Work 24/7 (At First)

Running your own creative business means that, in the early days especially, you might feel like you never switch off. Ideas don’t keep office hours, and when you're doing everything yourself, it's hard to put boundaries in place. But even if it doesn’t always feel like it, you are building something. Over time, you learn to balance things better, but the early hustle is very real. That said, don’t forget: you are your business’s most important resource. Rest isn’t a luxury—it’s part of the work.

Whether you’re just starting out or deep into your journey, I hope this reminds you that the struggles are shared, the lessons are valuable, and the effort is worth it. Keep going. Your voice matters, and there is space for your art in the world.

Sally x