Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alexandra Mazzola, Visual Freelance Artist of AMazzola Heartsome Creations, located in Orlando, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a creative commission & freelance artist that specializes mainly in realistic pet portraits; however, lately, I have been experimenting with a new impressionistic and expressionistic style as I create acrylic paintings “live” to the flow of music. My customers range from anyone who wants to get a life-like portrait of their beloved pet or family member, a commission painting, or wants to hire a live painting artist for a special event.
Tell us about yourself
I first started realizing I wanted to pursue a career that incorporated art because I have been an artist my whole life and have always wanted to help bring happiness to others.
I began drawing at a very young age and primarily taught myself how to draw animals from the local town library books that I used to rent and take home. I would spend hours following these drawing book pages and would eventually choose to take art classes in high school once I realized I was not good at any other hobby or sport. Having learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and other developmental disabilities such as autism, I remember being significantly bullied for many years for not fitting in with peers in my grade, so it led me closer and closer to the art rooms where I felt I most belonged. This helped me realize I was actually good at something, so I continued to experiment with pastels, acrylic paint, and charcoal pencils and created many different subjects outside of animals and flowers. Examples include ultrasound paintings, individual family homes, family members, other beloved pets, the night sky, etc. When I received compliments on what I had created after I posted online and people wanted to purchase my artwork, I decided to take a few art classes in community college once I graduated high school. Since I did not know what career I wanted to pursue just yet, I left community college with a degree in general studies. This led me further to decide to continue teaching myself how to paint outside of my comfort zone and artistic style.
I developed my own art business after participating in numerous local craft shows and online exhibitions, where I now accept and take on a variety of different art commissions that are very meaningful to those individuals that make the requests, as well as posting some artwork for sale that I have created in my own free time.
Currently, I am looking to pursue a career in art therapy where I will help many others with disabilities, like the ones I have overcome or still struggle with, to help their healing through artmaking. What motivates me each day to do what I do is knowing the joy my artwork brings once each unique piece is sent to its forever home. Through my art, I am spreading happiness and brightening the lives of many individuals as they hang their custom or one-of-a-kind, vibrant artwork in their homes.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner would have to be how I have reached and continue to reach many people from all around the world that contact me to commission a piece of artwork for them. Along with this, I completed my biggest project of an individual’s New York City apartment view of Manhattan. Once it was completed, it was safely packaged and shipped off to his home, and this commission has given me other painting opportunities and written or video interviews that have been published and released online.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is not having enough funds to be able to have a team of individuals that can help keep your business and audience keep growing. I would love to someday have a social media team that assists me in keeping my followers and customers up to date on my recent projects and upcoming projects.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I would have to say that.
- This is not a race, and if you only have a small following at the moment, it is okay. For some people, it just takes longer to achieve their goals. You should always go at your own pace.
- Do not take on too big of a load that will eventually cause you to burn out or causes you too much stress. You’ll get there and reach all your goals eventually if you’re very passionate about it!
- Even if you don’t have too much engagement or followers if it reaches even just one person and they express that you have helped influence their life for the better, you have already succeeded big. Hold onto the little accomplishments as well.
- Focus on how much progress you have already made and the positive influence you’ve spread, and not on what you haven’t accomplished or who you haven’t reached just yet.
- Never give up on your dream, and always keep pushing to get where you truly want to be. Sometimes, you may want to give up everything you’ve worked so hard for, but you may surprise yourself with how fast you bounce back. So always keep pushing forward. You got this!!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.heartsomecreations.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mazzolaheartsomecreations
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartsome.creations/
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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