The art of Good Business

Or is it the business of good art?

My dream studio, I took this photo from a gondola. That probably tells you all you need to know!

"Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art" Andy Warhol made this observation back in the 1960s.

On Thursday of this week I will be heading over to the South Wiltshire Business of the Year Awards and I’m jolly excited to be there. I have never entered any business competitions before, I’ve only been in business for four years!
But this year things felt right.
​My business has been quietly growing and happily it’s good enough now that I’m paying tax and and hiring accountants! I never dreamed that working on the art of business would enable me to be successful as an artist but it absolutely has.

"In the running" in a beautiful neutrals coloured lounge.

 I still try to find creative ways to do every part of my business but with so many different hats on sometimes I simply have to be disciplined. Doing the books is a task that I neither dread nor enjoy I simply have to do it. An allotted amount of time is given each month to make sure that the books are balanced. It’s worth while, it’s dull but it’s very very important. How many times have you seen people on "Dragon's Den who didn’t know what their bottom line was? How many times have you seen people not understand the difference between turnover and profit? What’s the line?- “turnover is vanity, profit is sanity". But actually entering the Southwest business of the year award has been far more important than merely spreadsheets and bottom lines.
It’s been a real boost to my business working as a sole trader. I was interviewed by two different panels of judges one for the micro business award and one for the woman in business award. And I came away from both of those interviews absolutely buzzing with excitement. So excited to be in business, so excited to be able to talk about my business, how it’s grown, how my artwork is developed and how I have become a serious professional. And in the backdrop of everything that has happened in Salisbury since March 4 with the  high profile poisoning, Salisbury has felt weird, strangely uncomfortable with itself trying to move on but being held back.
​ Talking to people about positive business and about how to bring life back into the city has been a wonderful experience for me and I’ve been really delighted to be a part of it.
How will I get on? Will even make it  As a finalist? Let alone win?
​ Who knows all I know is I’m really glad I’ve been a part of this. And I’m sure if there is good news you’ll read all about it here next week! Wish me luck.

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