"My goal has always been to combine art and practicality. Majoring in Industrial Design at Pratt Institute taught me high ideals in the union of art and function. Now I’m pleased to produce a product that is a highly functional garment as well as an original painting. These pieces can be hung on the wall as well and used to enhance an outfit."  Valery is a brilliant artist who has diversified her portfolio in order to expand her customer base.  She has found that teaching new students adds a brand new dimension to her studio. You'll enjoy hearing her interviews.

Dan's business statement: "We offer structural elements like custom glass textures and shapes. You can work with our artists to create showers, waterfalls, windows, and walkways that fuse form with function. If you can conceive it, we can achieve it".  Dan has his own gallery and works with different artists. There have been many pitfalls along the way: with his location, changing economy, and in finding artists who can supply his gallery. 

Stu is active teaching business classes at Dallas Christian College and has developed an online sales management class at University of Texas, Dallas. He is a member of the Richardson Chamber Board of Directors and active on boards with Leadership Richardson and Prevent Blindness Dallas.  Stu is a business coach who works with small, medium, and large businesses and helps their sales team achieve greater results. His advice is great for anyone wanting to start their own business.

"Originally from Sydney Australia, I moved to Dallas in 1996 and soon after began painting murals, eventually making it a full time obsession and starting my own business, Muralicious."  "I always find it an absolute joy working with a homeowner or business owner to create scenes and images unique to their own style and taste."  Craig made the leap into business almost on a whim. His first few years were a major struggle but he has succeeded now beyond his expectations. Hear what he has to say.

"I strongly believe in selling through education. By listening to a customer about their needs and informing them of the technical guidelines the end result is a beautiful product that generally exceeds the customers expectations."  Jerry started his business in his garage before finding a location. His considers his wife to be his greatest business asset because she adds capability to the business that Jerry didn't have.  

A strong background in developing relationships, creative "out of the box" thinking and love for animals, brought Kim to a point in life where her success in marketing, sales and client development afforded her the best gift of all, the chance to create and design, from scratch, a state of the art Pet Care facility.  Kim had some start-up funds to begin her new business. With a good business plan and the help of a business coach, she was able to grow her business into a small empire, and she's not stopping there! 

Mark is quickly becoming one of the most influential potters in Texas with his unique style of pottery and teaching. Mark established his "Clayworks" studio in Dallas in 1981 and is an established fixture at many shows in Texas. He has taught at several community colleges in the Dallas area and has his studio at home.  Mark went through the "school of hard knocks" and survived. Today, he is an acclaimed artist who is popular at shows and is invited to do workshops all over the country.  Watch his interviews and you'll learn a little from his early mistakes.

Dorinda's experience is with SBA loans and she explains what information the SBA is looking for when you apply for a small business loan. Whether you need a 7A or 504 type loan, this interview will help you tell the difference. Before you make that trip to the bank, listen to Dorinda.

Mary is in charge of Factoring for a large Dallas bank. If you are trying to finance a new business, or an existing business, be sure to catch this interview with Mary Rettig. She has many years of experience helping new business start-ups and she can tell you what the bank wants to see when you walk in to ask for that loan. She has some great advice about establishing a relationship with your bank that will help your business grow in the future.  

Andrew has some terrific advice regarding the various types of companies, whether they are sole proprietorship, partnerships, or corporations. He talks about your choices and how to protect yourself in your new company. He makes a good point that your attorney is part of your board of directors, along with your CPA, insurance agent, and banker. 

Scott's talents with a welding torch are amazing. He has quickly risen to respectability in the art world with his incredible designs. He also has a strong business sense and you will enjoy his "take" on problems facing artists today and how he has managed to make money with his artwork in this difficult economy. 

Gene has more than 25 years of insurance experience and has some great advice for artists or anyone trying to start up their own business.  He goes into detail on liability,  business, and car coverage. If you are using your personal vehicle for business purposes, or skimping on any personal coverage, you should hear what Gene has to say about how to protect yourself in case a client gets hurt, or you lose your studio, or even get hurt yourself. This is a MUST see interview. 

Randy is one of the best known potters in Texas and the Southwest. He does around 22 shows per year and travels all over the U.S. and Canada, too.   Randy's work is very spiritual to him and believes that his pottery is an extension of himself that he shares with other people.  In the interview, he talks about the need for the artist to take control of their environment and work for themselves. He also talks about setting up shows and his way of marketing, which has been very successful for him.

Lisa's background is computer graphics and she transitioned into oil painting, took a leap of faith, and totally immersed herself in her work. She is also one of the few artists who have diversified their work and she does her own screen-print designs on eco-friendly dyed shirts and retails/wholesales these around Texas. She has some great advice about studio space and talking to galleries.

This Baylor business school graduate has developed an almost one-of-a-kind artwork using raised surface edging to outline images and create a 3d effect. The effects are stunning!  He jumped into the artworld with a business plan, which also sets him apart from the crowd. In this interview, you'll hear Chris talk about how he got started, and how adding some simple business and marketing plans can help your personal art business be more successful.

Steve is an award winning goldsmith with 30 years experience in designing and hand making jewelry. He attended The University of Texas at El Paso where he studied fine arts. The majority of Steve's studio classes were in sculpture and this is reflected in his pieces.  Steve is a firm believer that business classes should be included in the art curriculum in the universities.  Too many artists get skilled in their art, but their knowledge is somewhat murky when it comes to marketing and sales. Steve makes it a point to talk business while he's teaching art techniques to his students.  

Jenifer's photographic ability is amazing. She uses her camera as a paintbrush to create beautiful images that tell a story, and she is one of the few artists who can use the same tools for her fashion and commercial work.  She loves school, has several degrees, and would like to teach someday at University level.    

Marty is a wonderful painter who has over 10 years of experience in the art world, and over 25 years of experience in sales and service. He offers a workshop in Dallas to help emerging artists make better business decisions when they start their own studios. His personal style is all about positive expressions and his paintings have a wonderful fun feel to them. 

Frankie is a self taught artist and businessman who has become very successful at both endeavors. Not only does he push his own art, but he works dozens of hours each week helping other artists market their work. He is striving for a higher acceptance of the arts in Dallas with his new program...the Dallas Independent Artist Community.  His personal work has evolved using color and designs popular in the Latino neighborhoods where he grew up.

Bob is a popular photographer with a business background. He travels all over the world searching for the perfect scene. His photos are  quiet, reflective, peaceful,  and he often adds his own spiritual messages to them. He is an artist with some great marketing and sales ideas and has been very successful.  Bob is willing to share those experiences with emerging artists who are trying to find their own way in the art world. 

Brenda Baker has a passion for the process of creating functional and decorative pieces in traditional shapes. Her love for nature is often found in her designs with ivy carved or cut out on many of her pieces and this has come to be her trademark.  She uses a dark clay and white slip as the base for her carvings and spends many hours creating intricate designs.

Larry is a cool artist who has a strong business sense and a varied artistic background. He's a musician, painter, wood worker, and builds stained glass sculptures and jewelry. He teaches classes in a huge purposely designed art studio in the Kessler Park area of Dallas. Doing over 25 shows / year keeps him busy but I caught up with him to do this interview and you'll enjoy his philosophy on making a living selling artwork. 

Dan left a career writing software and "found" himself as a poet. Frustrated at trying to find someone to illustrate his poems, he picked up a camera and started doing his own photography. Now, he is very well known for his wonderful skills at nature photography and he still illustrates his own compositions.

David has been a part of the Texas potter's scene for over 30 years.  Not only accomplished as a potter, he also is a musician and very good with a computer. He lives with his wife in Maydelle, Texas,  on 74 acres of forested land. Oh, and by the way, he and his wife built their own house and it is stunning!  Pictures of the house are included along with his pottery.