101010 Project: Me, Stephanie Guimond, on Business Mentors

Today is the last answer post for the 101010 Project (or in this particular case, 8-8-8) and I'm featuring yours truly! Mais oui, today I answer my own question on business mentors. Read on...

Business name: Stephanie Guimond - Artist, visionary, avid left-brainer

Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/strawbalestudio

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieGuimond.Artist.Visionary.LeftBrainer

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/s_guimond

Artist profile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTUIcky8uOU

Years in business: less than 1

Bio:

I'm Stephanie Guimond, artist, visionary and avid left-brainer. I paint, I dream big and I love spreadsheets.

In 2008 I picked up a paint brush for the first time since kindergarten and haven't put it down since. My art, like myself, varies in style and personality; the most common theme is visibly the feminine, but I'm always exploring...

Working with materials like acrylics, paper, pastels and ink, I'm drawn to an intuitive and fluid approach to painting where images appear organically before being polished into a finished product. Because of this intuitive nature, pieces are heavily influenced by what I'm living the week, the day or the moment they are created. They reflect a personal story that in an odd way infuses them with a universal quality.

I share my home with hubby and Cassie, our Golden Retriever. I left my 9-5 job last fall to try something different, and spend most of my days creating art and other paid work that supports the life I want to create overall. I am grateful for the opportunity.

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QUESTION: Do you have a business mentor? What value does that offer to your experiences as a business owner?

My ANSWER:

I don't have a business mentor in the traditional sense where two people have a formal mentor/mentee relationship. I have identified individuals I admire for either their creative or business endeavours or both, who serve as role models and show me what's possible. I call them my possibility tracks. I guess you could say it's mentorship via observation and study.

In addition to my possibility tracks I converse with other businesswomen regularly either online or in person to exchange goals, ideas, challenges and support. I am tremendously grateful for these circles of kindred spirits. I guess you could say it's mentorship via group sharing.

I think I would enjoy the connection that comes by apprenticing with someone who's been through many of the joys and challenges I'm currently navigating, but in the absence of that relationship, there is no lack of ways to learn and be inspired. Learning and inspiration are always of value no matter what form they take.

Current projects: a new Website, growing my business with a new left-brain offering called Get Clear, Get Moving (coming soon!), learning to balance it all in my own way

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For more information on the 101010 Project, the complete list of questions and the women hosting them, check out the 101010 Website. 

(Note: Due to life's unexpected twists & turns, this session of the 101010 Project features eight participants instead of the intended 10.)

101010 Project: Phyllis Dobbs on Business Mentors

Phyllis Dobbs

 

Business Name: Phyllis Dobbs Art & Design

Started business as: Lucky Duck Designs

Blog: http://www.phyllisdobbs.info/

Website: http://www.phyllisdobbs.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Phyllis-Dobbs-Art-Design/171513056197540

Zazzle: http://www.zazzle.com/phyllisdobbs?rt=238522936928369533

Zazzle for Businesses: http://www.zazzle.com/businesswithflair?rt=238522936928369533

Years in business: I started my business 28 years ago.

Brief Bio:

As an artist, I create art for licensing on products in the textile, gift and home goods industry. In textiles, I have designed fabric collections for 7 years. I also focus on designing quilt and sewing patterns and have written a new built book “Asymmetrical Quilts”.

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QUESTION: Do you have a business mentor? What value does that offer to your experiences as a business owner?

Phyllis' ANSWER:

No, but I have received a lot of help over the years. When I started, I talked to designers/artists doing the same thing. I am also a member in several forums where we act as sounding boards to each other. Everything I learn is of great value to my business - whether it's taking steps forward or avoiding pitfalls.

Current projects: Phyllis is currently working on new art for licensing including a new fabric line as well as adding more art to products for her Zazzle store. She also just entered into a collaboration with another quilt designer for a quilt related project.

~~~

For more information on the 101010 Project, the complete list of questions and the women hosting them, check out the 101010 Website. 

(Note: Due to life's unexpected twists & turns, this session of the 101010 Project features eight participants instead of the intended 10.)

101010 Project: Valerie Weller on Business Mentors

Valerie Weller

BUSINESS INFO:

www.twig2neststudio.blogspot.com

www.twig2neststudio.etsy.com

www.valerieweller.com (launching soon)

http://pinterest.com/valerie_weller/pins/

https://www.facebook.com/valerie.weller

30 years in the business of art and graphic design

BIO:

Valerie Weller considers herself an art creator, a lover of color, and a seeker…. She has spent most of her life as a graphic designer with a fine art background, yet in the past few years, has been transitioning into developing & creating her own body of work. Her dream is to create, paint, and share her process full time.

Passionate about color, Valerie works in watercolor, acrylic, oil and mixed media. She holds a BA degree in art with a minor in education. After a solid thirty years of running a successful freelance graphic design business, she is now transitioning to create "part two" of her artistic life, in the world of painting. Currently she is developing various works of art in the mixed media category. From small to large paintings in an organic, intuitive style, to art journaling in watercolor, & mixed media, her work continues to express her passion for color and expressive, organic forms.

Valerie shows her work at boutiques, art shows as well as online through her etsy shop, website, and blog. She is working on an e-course/video series in watercolor, based on the wonderful response to her art journaling pages. Valerie loves to connect with people and works to inspire others to believe in their own gifts.  Her hope is to connect through her art, to cultivate and nurture the development of each person's individual "art spirit".

~~~

QUESTION: Do you have a business mentor? What value does it offer to your experiences as a business owner?

Valerie's ANSWER:

There are a quite a few people that I look to as mentors in business. It's hard to think of only one, when you are influenced by so many. Two that come to mind immediately, are Kelly Rae Roberts  & Brian Schnetzer of Aunt Sadies Candles. I admire how both structure their business, work through their soul purpose, and how they connect with the community that brings them their success. I've come to know Kelly Rae through her original art and Flying Lessons e-course that I took two years ago. And I must say that her e-courses have been part of the core foundation in redirecting my business. I learned so much from her, not only from her teachings, but also from watching her business grow tremendously in the past few years. Just by taking a peek at her website www.kellyraeroberts.com would confirm a savvy, down to earth artist and business woman.

My dear friend Brian runs a candle company that started out in Boston, and now is headquartered in Vermont. He started Aunt Sadies Candles back in the mid nineties. His business grew and flourished with a brick and mortar shop, online product and wholesale accounts in high end stores such as Anthropologie, to smaller boutiques like Kitson in Los Angeles. Being a close friend for many years, I watched his business grow and prosper. Created from his soul, to honor the life of his dear grandmother "Aunt Sadie", I've been able to learn much about company culture, as well as starting up and keeping a business through the years. It's great to have a few mentor's willing to share with you, allowing you to learn more about developing your own path. Being a creative in "business" can sometime seems like opposites- I'd rather create than sell, market, or ship goods… but having mentors to share with, brings encouragement, and reassurance in business.

CURRENT PROJECTS:

www.valerieweller.com (projected launch- July)

an online watercolor e-course (in-process-stay tuned to blog posts for launch date)

SHOWS:

June 24  www.topangavintagemarket.com

July 22  www.topangavintagemarket.com

~~~

For more information on the 101010 Project, the complete list of questions and the women hosting them, check out the 101010 Website. 

(Note: Due to life's unexpected twists & turns, this session of the 101010 Project features eight participants instead of the intended 10.)

101010 Project: Paula Joerling on Business Mentors

Paula Joerling

Name of Business: Paula Joerling Studio

Blog: www.paulajoerling.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paula-Joerling-Studio/218183375864

Etsy Hand Made: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaulaJoerlingStudio

Etsy Vintage:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaulaJoerlingVintage

Years in Business: I have been a freelance artist in one form or another for 30 years. I have been a freelance illustrator for about 8 years.

A little info:

I am a freelance illustrator living in Atlanta Georgia. My designs are primarily used for the gift and tabletop industry. Typically, I work in watercolor and collage and enjoy incorporating fabric, stitched paper and found objects in my art.

~~~

QUESTION: Do you have a business mentor? What value does that offer to your experiences as a business owner?

Paula's ANSWER:

Funny you should ask…….as of a few weeks ago, yes. I felt like I was hitting a wall and needed a shot in the arm. I do my best work when I am directed and I hadn’t been getting much of that lately. I found a mentor through a friend and it’s been really great having someone help me with some of the things I have been struggling with in my business.

It’s always good to see your business through the eyes of someone who has been there and done that.

Current Projects:  "Currently I am working on a series of collage pieces that will make their way to my etsy handmade shop."

~~~

For more information on the 101010 Project, the complete list of questions and the women hosting them, check out the 101010 Website. 

(Note: Due to life's unexpected twists & turns, this session of the 101010 Project features eight participants instead of the intended 10.)

101010 Project: Dani Keith on Business Mentors

dani keith

business name: {dani keith designs}

years in business: 2

blog: http://danikeithdesigns.com/blog
shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/danikeith
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danikeithdesign
twitter: danikeithartist

bio:
maker of pretty things. grower of dreams. catalyst for creativity.

dani keith has been creating for a lifetime. in the spring of 2010 she was set up on a blind date with metalsmithing, and she says it was instant, true and deep love at first fusing! {dk} is constantly evolving, and dani is genuinely excited to see where each turn takes her.

artist statement: "I find the beauty in the simple geometry of shape and transform metal into a story that the wearer wants to be a part of"

~~~

QUESTION: Do you have a business mentor?  What value does that offer to your experiences as a business owner?

Dani's ANSWER:

My mentor is amazing on two levels, she is an amazing metalsmith/creative entrepreneur and I am lucky to have studied with her, plus she is a very successful gallery owner {one of my future goals} While there are numerous gifts that we give and receive when working in a collaborative studio space, what I learn from her is both how she continually feeds her creative muse and how that talent and creativity translates into her business model.  She is an amazing example of generous talent and savvy businesswoman.  Observing a person who has achieved my definition of success has had a dramatic effect on how my business model has evolved and been honed.

~~~

For more information on the 101010 Project check out the 101010 Website. For a complete list of questions and the women hosting them on their Websites, see below.

(Note: Due to life's unexpected twists & turns, this session of the 101010 Project features eight participants instead of the intended 10.)

THE WOMEN, THE QUESTIONS

Laura Otero: #1. Is it necessary for your business to line up with your soul purpose?  What value is there to having that aligned?

Me: #2. Do you have a business mentor?  What value does that offer to your experiences as a business owner?

Shari Sherman: #3. What animal would represent your first year of business.

Robin Norgren: #4. What business/businesses have you chosen to model your business after?

Dani Keith: #5. At this moment, what one idea do you need to start executing for your business?

Paula Joerling: #6. What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

Valerie Weller: #7. How did you finally decide on the look of your brand?  What did the evolution look like?

Phyllis Dobbs: #8. Who is that one person you would like to sit and talk with about your business? What would you talk about?