Encouragement for the Small-Business Owner: Count Your Victories

​For those who know me well, my fascination with art is nearly equaled with my fascination about business: how to run one, how to own one, how to make it succeed, etc. Once I had seriously decided to go back to my artistic roots in 2019, it was a logical step to start my own art business at the same time. I had seen many people, including my parents, run their own full- or part-time businesses for years. I knew that it was possible to live off of the income from a privately owned business as well as how much work it was. After spending sufficient years being an employee, I was ready to take on the responsibilities, freedom, and risks of being an owner. Full disclosure: I am not a profitable business yet! BUT, I have seen the growth in professionalism, revenue, and technical skills since I began. And the importance of tracking successes, even small ones, gives the encouragement on a day-to-day basis necessary for keeping the hope alive. For instance, noticing you have an uptick in viewers to your website, finding a more efficient way to track sales, or having a chance to talk to a successful business owner who's gone before and who's willing to share their ideas. It's easy to see your failures. Practice taking time out of your day or week to count your victories too!