Art – From Side Hustle to Serious Business

Why Artists and Creatives Should Stop Calling What They Do a Side Hustle

When I started my photography business in 1999, I never heard the word hustle! Even though I was working full-time, I had the greatest desire to start a business that would one day provide me with a living.

People often think of art and creativity as hobbies instead of real jobs. This can be especially true in the world of entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, this perception can lead artists and creatives to downplay their skills and the value of their work. When individuals refer to their creative endeavour as a “side hustle,” they may unintentionally perpetuate this harmful stereotype that what they do is not a serious business. This can result in others undervaluing their work, and it can also cause artists and creatives to question their own worth and legitimacy. To combat this perception, it is important for artists and creatives to recognise the value and impact of their work, and to frame it in a way that reflects its significance and relevance as a legitimate profession.

Expanding the Definition of Entrepreneurship

The traditional image of an entrepreneur is often associated with tech startups, investors, and big money. However, this narrow view of entrepreneurship fails to acknowledge the contributions of creatives and artists. In reality, artists and creatives are entrepreneurs in their own right, as they bring unique skills, creativity, and vision to their work. By embracing the identity of an entrepreneur, creatives can take pride in the business aspects of their work, such as marketing, pricing, and managing finances. They can also share their experiences and knowledge with other entrepreneurs, which can help redefine the stereotype of what it means to be an entrepreneur. By highlighting their role as entrepreneurs, artists and creatives can contribute to a larger conversation about the importance of creativity, innovation, and problem-solving in the world of business. Ultimately, this can inspire a new generation of artists and creatives to pursue their passions and build successful businesses.

Reframing the Narrative

Using language that accurately reflects the value and impact of an artist’s or creative’s work is crucial for commanding respect and attention from clients, collaborators, and the wider community. By describing their work as a serious business rather than a side hustle, artists and creatives can signal to others that their work is deserving of the same respect and recognition as any other profession. This shift in language can also help creatives to view their work as a serious business, which can be a powerful motivator in building a successful career. Additionally, by reframing their work in this way, artists and creatives can challenge the harmful stereotype that their work is not valuable, and contribute to a larger conversation about the importance of creativity and innovation in a range of industries. By highlighting the significance of their work and embracing the identity of an entrepreneur, artists and creatives can help to reshape the image of entrepreneurship and create new opportunities for themselves and future generations.

The Power of Language

To conclude, the language we use to describe our work matters. By framing their work as a serious business rather than a side hustle, artists and creatives can challenge the stereotype that their work is not valuable or worthy of respect. Artists and creative people can also change the way people think about entrepreneurship by embracing their identity as entrepreneurs. This can inspire a new generation of creative people to follow their passions and build successful businesses. This can help artists and creative people find new ways to contribute to the business world and show how important creativity, innovation, and problem-solving are in a wide range of fields. Ultimately, by valuing their work and framing it in a way that reflects its significance, artists and creatives can build successful careers and help to create a more inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial landscape.

The Power of Perception

It is possible that if I had looked at the businesses I have created and been involved with as a side hustle over the last two decades, I may not have had the right mindset to create this article. Using words that downplay the value and importance of one’s work can have a big effect on how one thinks and how much confidence they have in their skills. By framing my work as a side hustle, I may unintentionally be telling myself that my work is not a legitimate profession or that it is not worthy of being my primary focus. This would have led to a lack of confidence and commitment to my craft, which would have hindered my ability to build a successful business.

Art as a Serious Business

However, by reframing my work as a serious business and embracing the identity of an entrepreneur, I have infused my mindset and approach to work with a greater sense of purpose and intentionality. This helped build confidence and commitment to my craft, which ultimately led to greater success and recognition within my field. By valuing my work and viewing it as a legitimate profession, I created a more positive and empowering mindset that can help me propel even further.

Feel free to give the team here a call on 01753 542319 if you have any questions about your art business or connect with us through our contact form.