The Design Tank
Owner: Rachel Tibbits
KW: Tell us about your business.
RT: I’m an artist and have been for many years. I would paint and give my art away for a long time. Then I started selling it. Then I sold other people’s art. I started this website a year ago, not knowing what would happen. Now I have artists from all over the world that I get to help sell their art! I put their art on canvas, print, apparel, etc., then sell it through the website. Now I also do branded logo wear. Logos, shirts, hats, beanies, or unique apparel... and really helping businesses with their branding. I create a bridge between artists that want to be recognized and their customers. There has been a lot of synergy and like-minded people. I’ve been an agent for artists for 4-5 years, the website has been live for a year.
KW: Who is your target customer?
RT: Many of my artists are internationally recognized and teach art through workshops all over the world (or online). Our audience is clients who are artists that create art that appeal to other artists. Sometimes art collectors.
KW: What has been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
RT: I started the website before COVID, so at first I thought timing was terrible because art is a luxury item. However, there has been such an increase in online purchasing, so we are selling art every single day. I don’t have a brick/mortar storefront, and now I’m not sure I ever will.
KW: What are one or two actions you’ve taken to make a difference?
RT: Just having the website isn’t enough. It takes perseverance, a lot of hours and hard work to make it work. I spend a lot of time creating an online presence through social media, which can be grueling! I spend a lot of time every day building an audience. I couldn’t have made it without social media.
KW: What is a mistake you’ve made along the way that other people can learn from?
RT: My approach is that every day has been an experiment. Be willing to put the time, money and energy into testing. When it works, that’s great, but how do you adjust when it doesn’t? There is no black/white manual to follow, so you won’t learn until you try. You just have to keep trying, and find the things that work. That has helped me get my business to where it is right now.
KW: What is inspiring to you today?
RT: What inspires me the most is helping artists sell their art. It’s hard to understand if you’re not an artist, but it’s hard to put yourself out there because it is so personal. I’ve had artists who sell their very first piece of art on my website. Knowing that someone is willing to pay for that piece that you’ve created, it is such an honor!
OFFER: Mention this newsletter and receive a free logo design.
The Design Tank
Owner: Rachel Tibbits
509-999-3237
By Kendra Wiiest