The Power of Positivity

If you’re like most people you complain. Maybe it’s every day, maybe it’s just in your head, maybe it’s less than others. I’m a complainer. I think it’s in my DNA. Well, really I think I’m just making observations and letting my boyfriend know EXACTLY how hungry I am- but he qualifies it as complaining. And I know I’m not alone.

I’ve realized that it’s common practice these days to use complaining and negative experiences to bond. It makes sense- you meet up with someone and you’re both like “YES PARKING SUCKS TODAY!” or at a networking event you bond over how much you actually hate most networking events. It’s sometimes easier even then bonding over things you love or stuff you’re really excited about.

Over the last year I’ve become part of a group of women who are AMAZING. Like seriously kicking ass running multiple businesses, traveling, expanding their personal lives, supporting others, and greatly enhancing my life. What I’ve realized is that although we all go through ups and downs and have dealt with heartbreaks and business fails and everything in between- when we get together we don’t complain. I don’t think I’ve heard any one of 12 or so women be negative or complain or harp on something for more than 30 seconds, maybe a minute. It is truly miraculous in a time when people LOVE to use their negative experiences to bond. (Hello extensive Yelp review writers!)

And this is a powerful realization because it’s not that we’re being fake with each other- but quite the opposite. We want to be our best selves, in life and for each other, and we know being negative doesn’t actually HELP anyone. Including yourself. So even though I was down the other night, we got together and instead of talking it out we had fun and talked about the things we’re working on that light us UP and get our creative juices flowing. We laugh, we smile, we support each other.  We bring a positive attitude and it makes a difference.

Now I’m not saying don’t FEEL negative emotions. Definitely allow yourself to be mad/sad/frustrated/annoyed. But there is some science to the “fake it 'til you make it” theory at least for happiness. (Check out science behind smiling.) And here’s an interesting thought: If you put on your best attitude for others, can do you that for yourself when you’re not in public? Again, not saying to ignore your feelings. But if you had a real shitty day, does complaining about it make it better? No. So what if instead you did things that would turn your mood around. What if you did something nice for yourself? What if you didn’t burden someone else with stuff that in the big picture doesn’t even matter?

If you’re familiar with mindset work it goes something like this: observe your thoughts, take your negative thought patterns and flip them into something positive. Rinse and repeat until eventually you’re able to let go of negative thoughts quicker, turn a situation around and generally be a more positive, peaceful person. It's something I've been working on for a year and I can say truly has made a difference in my world. 

I also realized that after spending time with these women I’m ALWAYS energized. There are some friends who you hang out with and by the end you’re ready to leave because you’re totally drained. But that is just never the case with my beautiful group, and it’s amazing!

So I challenge you to notice: are you complaining so someone else will try to cheer you up? Are you able to just BE, whether it’s sad or mad and not unleash it on someone else? Can you be the best version of yourself while you're in a negative space? What if you flipped your internal dialogue to positive? What if you projected positivity? It’s better on this side friends. Try it out!

Let me what you think in the comments! 

Peace, love & pixels,

Sonya

 

Insurance for Artists- What It Is & Why You Need It!

A few months ago I was lucky to meet a woman who owns an insurance agency that specializes in working with artists. I had to admit I did not have insurance for my art business and really didn't know what it could do for me. And of course- what it cost! Being a solopreneur (or any entrepreneur, right?) you are always keeping your income & outcome in mind, and deciding what you NEED to spend money on and what can be passed up. Turns out insurance is not something to pass on for many reasons! 

So I decided to interview the lovely people at Michals Insurance based in Watertown, MA and find out what art insurance was and how my fellow creatives might benefit! Michals does personal, business and fine art insurance and serves a wide range of clients around the USA. For this interview I spoke with Vice President of the company, Susan Michals. 

RWC: What is insurance and why is it important for creative business owners and individuals? 

Michals: Insurance is protection. We sell protection, and the most important thing is to make sure our customers understand what they're purchasing. One of the things is to make sure your business is protected, and make sure your equipment is insured. To have professional liability is important, to make sure you have all the right documents in place incase something doesn't work out. If a client gets angry and decides to send a letter from a lawyer, if you get sued, there's protection put in place for you and we help navigate that. 

RWC: So who do you work with and when should artists look into getting insured?

Michals: We work with galleries, museums, book dealers and individual artists. If they are doing anything and making money, yes look into insurance. Once you become an entity, you can be a sole proprietor, but do something to separate yourself from your business so you're protected. 

RWC: What about new business owners & artists who are weary about investing money into something they aren't sure they need? There's so many expenses running your own business and not knowing how much insurance costs could prevent people from even looking into it.

Michals: I think it's something that should be built into your start up costs. I can't say what the cost would be, because it's based on individual factors. So we would need to have a conversation to figure that out. 

When we put programs together, everything is individually tailored. No two cases are the same because everyone is different- down to what's on your schedule, what equipment you use, it all varies. We get to know what the person does, how much money they make, and we want to make sure we provide a service of education so everyone knows what they're getting.

It depends who you're photographing, what locations you're going to, do you need certificates before being allowed to work in certain places? We figure all that out based on individual needs.

RWC: Good to know! And if artists were looking for insurance what would they look for in an insurance agency? 

Michals: Fine art insurance is a niche, and that comes into play for clients who have inventory. Michals can cover insurance for every aspect of your business, but other general insurance companies can help cover artists as well. For fine art inventory we have specific questions and precautions we know to take because we specialize in it. 

RWC: What about digital artists and digital inventory?

Michals: You have to look at the most valuable thing in the production line and what happens when that gets damaged or lost? So if you're working in digital formats your laptop and external hard drives are where your work is stored and needs to be protected. If your physical stuff is stolen/damaged from an insurance point you'd be covered for those objects. But if your work isn't backed up in multiple places that can't be replaced obviously. 

And if your equipment or whatever you use to make money is lost and you're unable to work because of it, you can be reimbursed for the income you would have normally made in that timeframe. It's built into the coverage. And if you miss weeks of work and lose that income, it's important to know you can submit documents on that and be reimbursed based on your income history.

RWC: Wow I didn't know that! I bet a lot of people don't know that.

Michals: Yeah most people don't realize how much coverage and protection they really have access to. 

And if you're involving other people in your business it's helpful to know what you need. If you hire someone for one day as an assistant you technically should have workers' compensation. Or if you hire someone to transfer your art or help set up an art show- and they get hurt while doing so, workers' compensation comes into play. You can carry the smallest amount of workers' comp, but then if something happens you know you're covered.  

RWC: So people can use insurance not just to protect art and equipment but their businesses and anyone involved in the process. 

Michals: Yes and it's all adjustable, so if things change people can just call and update us. It's important we know what is in your inventory, what's been sold, what new camera you got etc. It's just about communicating and keeping us updated so we can protect what you really have. 

RWC: That's so interesting, you are dealing with so many different situations all the time! 

Michals: Yes, and we make sure to check in with clients and if their renewal is coming up we talk and get everything up to date! Insurance is key to what artists are doing when they go out in the world and do work, and involve anyone in their business. And it's really serious and important to understand what you're buying, so talk with someone who can explain in layman's terms what insurance can do for you. 

RWC: Right and it's something you may not think about, but when you really need it and don't have it, it becomes a very stressful situation. 

Michals: Exactly. The best scenario is you have insurance and never have to use it. It's peace of mind. Anything can happen, but we don't want people to run around worrying about it, let us worry about it. 

Thank you so much Susan! This was so informative and I hope other artists will feel more knowledgable now about their options & need for insurance. To find out more about Michals Insurance and how they can protect your business, check out their website. 

Let us know if you have insurance or if you're going to go get some after reading this! Comment below with your thoughts. 

Wishing everyone a SAFE and creative week! 

Peace, love & pixels,

Sonya

The Best Thing To Do For Yourself- Ask For Help

If you're like me (and a lot of other people!) you may find yourself wanting to learn/do/improve your life & business on your own. It took me a long time to really admit I needed more than myself to create the career I desired. And since I decided to let others help me on my journey my life has improved drastically. Not just in business but in my personal life as well!

If you're at a point where you're frustrated, unenthused or even ashamed of your creative career thus far, then take a deep look at where you've been denying yourself help. Maybe you need a total overhaul or maybe it's as simple as putting in the time to ask someone about your marketing, your pricing or your customer etiquette. 

Once I dove into my own mission of finding mentors, guides and creative business buddies I've expanded not only my knowledge but my network. I've gained friends in the process who inspire and support my big creative dreams. And I've learned from others who've created businesses I admire and gotten an inside look at what it will take to get mine to my ideal level. 

And the most important part of what I learned when I asked for help- is that the most successful people get a lot of help!! High-achieving and inspirational people are able to be that way because of the help they've received, and continue to receive. It's not only opened my eyes to the positive force of a community you trust but also that no one is a "one woman show" in reality. 

So I challenge you to ask for help, and lots of it! Let go of the idea you can and should be able to do everything on your own. You and whoever you work with will be SO much better off when you go beyond yourself and let others in to help. 

Peace, love & pixels,

Sonya

What I Learned in 2 Minutes With a Gallery Owner

Recently I was in Martha's Vineyard photographing a four day event. Between working I explored the little town I was in and checked out a few of the galleries they had there. One day I found myself alone in a gallery and when I introduced myself to the woman sitting at the desk I found out she was the owner. I have to say I don't end up in many galleries these days and I knew I had to take the opportunity to ask some questions. 

I told her about Real World Creatives and our mission and asked if she had any insights for artists looking to work with galleries. Here's what I learned from our conversation:

1. Make sure you're appropriate. When reaching out to galleries make sure you've done the research on the gallery and know that it's an appropriate place for your work. This means finding out whether they represent local, regional, international artists or a mix. And, are the artists emerging, established or historical? If they are accepting submissions be certain you've provided all the information they request or may need to know to understand your work. 

2. Document your work and shows/exhibitions. Whatever shows or exhibitions you've participated in before you should have documentation for- photos as well as information on what other artists were showing with you. It helps galleries visual how your work is displayed and what might go with it in a gallery space. If you haven't been in shows I suggest having your website include sample images of how your work would look in a room/hall/environment that you envision it being shown in. (That may or may not require some photoshopping!)

3. Reach out, don't wait to be found. While gallery owners are always on the look out for talent they will also get tips from different galleries, artists and others in the industry. Reach out and start making connections with those in your area. Go online and find the social media and networking groups gallery folk use and start engaging. A friendly acquaintance that knows of your work could be the missing link to getting in with a gallery! 

I'd love to know who of the RWC tribe has been in galleries or would like to be? Comment below. If you have more questions, as always let me know so we can get you some answers! 

Peace, love & pixels,

Sonya