stuck in a rut? 5 small-business owners share their best career advice
Forget strangers on the internet and obnoxious family members after one too many glasses of pinot – the best career advice comes from those who have done it all before (and are still in the midst of getting it done). From a clever artist to a talented tattooist, a top-notch fashion designer to a rad photographer, these creative boffins are all at the top of their practices. If you want to be the best, you have to learn from the best – but what do they know? Let’s find out.
MICHELLE PITIRIS – PHOTOGRAPHER The best advice I received was to not undervalue myself and my work – I struggled for the longest time to charge people accordingly for the quality of work I deliver. It was a stylist who said to me that my work was worth more; an objective eye helped me understand my talent. I realised that if I undervalue myself, I am undermining the entire industry of my peers, and that is not something I wish to be a part of. I have a service, I've done the time, I deserve the value I designate.
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ELEONORA AROSIO – ILLUSTATOR The best career advice I can give actually comes from my own experience: connect with other creatives. Reach out, grab a coffee and have real conversations. Some of the most valuable friendships you’ll make will come from these connections – people you can exchange advice with, talk openly about rates, share skills and grow alongside. We’re all navigating this creative path together, learning as we go, and having a supportive community around you makes all the difference.
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TARA WHALLEY – FASHION DESIGNER Jason Wu once gave me the advice to “Shut out the noise and do the work”. To me, this means that you need to put your focus on where it’s most important – creating quality art and work. There can be a lot of distractions that take up a lot of your time, but you have to keep the focus on the heart of your business. Trusting the process is important. If you are focusing on making artwork and quality product that you are excited about, the opportunities will come. Putting in the time and allowing yourself to play and enjoy the process will create a stronger end product. You might be someone who happens to be an overnight success, but for a lot of people it’s the long game that brings the bigger wins. Building the muscles over time prepares you for handling the success when you are ready.
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LAUREN ERICKSEN – ARTIST AND TATTOOIST When I was in my first studio, another artist told me to document everything. Not just the art, but also what I was doing day-to-day. “It makes you look busier than you are,” they said, half-joking. But for me, it became about preserving the work. I’ve sold pieces I really loved and only had a few crappy phone photos. Working with photographers changed that. I now have someone for art prints, and friends who help document milestones. It’s become important – not just for sharing, but for looking back and seeing how far I’ve come.
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MAXIMILLIAN MALONE – AUTHOR AND SHOP OWNER Don’t wait for things to be perfect before you begin that big idea. Just start. Muck in. Make mistakes. Figure it out as you go. You don't need all your ducks in a row! When Zoe and I started That Paper Joint, we didn’t have a flawless business plan, we had just enough mapped out to get going. Maybe our naivety was useful, as knowing too much might have overwhelmed us from even beginning. We simply knew we wanted to make space for creativity, connection and community. Momentum has come from showing up, experimenting and championing our collage niche along the way! Also? Find your oracle aunties – talk to those people who are a few years ahead of you; get their words of wisdom. Finally, things take time! Don't fret that you’re off track. Those seemingly random work and life experiences you accumulate from different chapters in your life are actually so useful. It takes a rich tapestry of life lessons to help you follow your own goals, dreams and ideas. We wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the crazy side quests, travels and unexpected road bumps.
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