Holly Blondin makes learning about the business side of the arts approachable for artists
BASED IN: SPAIN
Arts Meet Bizness is a young organization that started in 2015 only as a project or vehicle to raise the profile of professional artists around the globe with our campaign “I Am. I Dream. I Do.” While collecting artist stories, we learned so much more about why artists don’t like business. Our mission is to help close this gap between artists and business.
Arts Meet Bizness makes learning about the business side of the arts approachable for artists. We understand how growing their business can feel like a distraction to their creative work. We continue to develop interactive workshops and creative think tanks for artists, where they can gain awareness of the changes happening in their creative industries. We help artists develop and navigate an action plan to a sustainable career in the arts.
How did your previous life/work experience help you with creating your business? How did pursuing an MBA help you with your business?
I have spent the majority of my life working alongside, or for, creative professionals. After my own professional pursuits and successes in musical theatre and design, I understand firsthand the challenges artists and creative people face in developing professional careers in creative industries.
Earning my MBA in Entrepreneurship and Marketing not only gave me the knowledge I needed to help develop and grow a business, it also opened many doors for me, where I gained professional experience in the business world. These are the experiences I want to share with artists.
Why do you think that artists need business help? What made you so passionate about it?
Many young and emerging artists come to me asking for help with finance or marketing. But what all artists at all stages of their careers want to know is what new opportunities exist for them in their creative industries, which are so rapidly evolving because of new technologies and globalization.
I am, and always will be, passionate about artists and the arts. Period. Therefore, anything I can do to support them I will do it.
We live in a capitalistic society, in which businesses aim to do business faster and cheaper. Currently, the people who make decisions at the top of creative industries are business people. If artists want to continue to carve out a space for themselves and their work then it is crucial that they begin to learn more about the business sides of their careers. Businesses are now infusing creativity into their models and strategies. Why shouldn’t artists infuse business basics into theirs?
Is it important to “dream big”? What is your dream for your business?
Now more than ever it is crucial for us to “dream big”.
My dream for Arts Meet Bizness is that we are able to start a movement in the arts community that changes how artists perceive themselves and the value of arts in modern times, and ultimately creates a new space for artists to lead the story once again.
Living the entrepreneurial life tends to be very “up and down”. What keeps you going? What makes you not give up?
Passion and obsession.
What is the best advice you can give to another entrepreneur?
I have two pieces of advice:
Stay true to yourself. In the beginning, write down on a piece of paper why you are doing this. Be clear and be honest. Throughout your time with your business you will find it easy to compare your success to that of others. You will also have difficult decisions to make. When things get tough, or when you are tempted to stray from your mission, take out that statement as a reminder of why you started in the first place.
Always get it in writing. Business involves building, and sometimes breaking, relationships. Don’t let your business suffer because you once trusted someone.