Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Vivienne Strauss, Owner of Vivienne Strauss Art, located in Bowling Green, KY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am a self-employed artist working in several mediums selling primarily online to patrons worldwide. I work in watercolors, oil paints, collages, and fiber arts.

Tell us about yourself

Before I was a full-time artist, I was a personal trainer for several years. Before that, I worked in a vintage retail shop for seven years, and prior to that time, it was various corporate jobs. I had been doing art for a while as a hobby, but after a cross-country move to Oregon, it was my husband and artist, Matte Stephens, who encouraged me to do my art full-time. Working really is my life (aside from our many pets, being a nature lover, and an avid reader). My inspiration for ideas comes from all of those things, so it is truly interwoven. Working from home is great; working around many pets can also be a challenge, though!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

It is difficult to choose one aspect or event- I have been so lucky to get some really good press over the years (magazines, book covers, and newspapers). I have gotten to work with some really great art directors (magazines and one movie). A big career highlight was a museum show two years ago.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

I would say the most difficult thing is taking time off from work. This is in part because I am a compulsive creator and also because of selling online to a worldwide base and wanting to provide prompt answers to any questions they may have. Sometimes it feels like I'm never actually "closed." I've been trying to be better about not actually creating every day, but that is an even bigger challenge because my ideas come from so many different areas and aspects. The creative side is fun and rewarding - the practical side- packaging, marketing, etc. can be exhausting but just as necessary.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. If you do what you truly love, while you will work very hard, it won't feel like work as it does when you are toiling away from someone else.
  2. Figure out a schedule or methods that work for you - for example - I do all my packaging/shipping/checking email - post office runs, and all those jobs that have a beginning and an end to them. After that is accomplished, I'm better able to settle down and concentrate on creating something new.
  3. Jot down all your ideas - in a notebook or on your phone - you can always revisit and revise these later - good for when you might know what to work on next. I find that so many ideas lead to other ones.
  4. Work in several mediums, even if some are just for "fun." I love taking photos while I'm out walking - many are for my own enjoyment, but some lead to ideas or, at the very least - it teaches you to notice details and really SEE things. Another fun hobby is writing poetry or short stories, which also sometimes lead to ideas or simply allow me to play creatively without any kind of pressure for it to be a money maker. Play is so important to keep the fun in your work! This also means you will never feel blocked. Don't feel like painting? Try hand sewing or cutting up paper; doing another activity can activate another part of your brain.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.viviennestrauss.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063282155109
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viv_strauss/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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