Everyone could use a bit of coaching

I have always been a big fan of learning.  Whether it is a new technique in polymer clay, beading, or whatever.  Most recently, I have learned the incredible value of coaching.   A business coach to be exact.  What the heck am I talking about?  Let me back up a minute.  I have been creating in polymer clay and selling my work in shows for a few years now.  I love it.  I certainly wish to continue doing it and most importantly, I wish to be successful doing it.  I already know that gaining proficiency with polymer clay comes with time and a great deal of practice.  (often generating a ton of scrap clay!)  What I could not seem to get a handle on was the other stuff.    How do I juggle a polymer clay business with the rest of my life?   How do I get “noticed” by the rest of the polymer clay world?  (or the more basic question; DO I want to be noticed in the polymer clay world?)  How do I measure success?  how do I market myself?  What exactly IS marketing and “branding”  ?    I have no doubt that these are questions many artists selling their work ask themselves.  Over the past few years , I have picked up a thing or two , from reading books and articles, talking to more experienced folks, and attending the odd seminar.  I still felt like something was missing in my education.

I discovered what it was.  It wasn’t my education that was necessarily lacking…it was how to put it all together.  I needed a coach.  I came across a web site called www.artbizcoach.com.   Alyson Stanfield offers a variety of classes  to help artisans grapple with many of those nagging questions and then how to channel their energies in the appropriate areas so they can realize their goals, (what ever they may be).  I am in the process of finishing up one of those classes….and  I can honestly say, I view my business and many other areas of my life quite differently.   It has been eye opening and profoundly empowering.  I would encourage everyone to check out Alyson’s site..or someone like her.

I have no idea what the future has in store for me in regards to my career in polymer clay.  But at least I now know  that I have considerably more control of it than I previously thought I had.  ( a powerful thing in these troubling economic times.)  I have learned that sometimes it takes much more than  talent and luck.   Sometimes, finding the right coach,(whom ever it may be) will help you pull it all together so that you have a shot at achieving your dreams.

Advertisement