Art + Audience Podcast Summary
Episode Title: Ep. 22: When Your Art Business Stops Growing
Host: Stacie Bloomfield
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Introduction: Navigating Business Plateaus
In Episode 22 of the Art + Audience podcast, host Stacie Bloomfield delves into a universal challenge faced by many creative entrepreneurs: what to do when your art business hits a growth plateau. Stacie shares her personal experiences and offers actionable strategies to overcome stagnation, ensuring that artists can continue to thrive and evolve in their creative endeavors.
Stacey’s Personal Experience with Business Stagnation
Stacie opens the episode by recounting a poignant moment in her own business journey. She describes the launch of a new candle line for her brand, Gingerbread, which was meticulously planned and executed. Despite the careful promotion across various platforms and a beautifully photographed product campaign, sales were disappointingly slow.
Stacie Bloomfield [00:00]: “We launched. And nothing. The response was quiet. Like, eerily quiet.”
This lackluster response felt like a "gut punch" to Stacie, especially since her entire team had invested significant energy and belief into the project. The failure prompted deep self-reflection about whether she had misread her audience or lost her "magic."
Understanding Plateaus as Opportunities
Stacie emphasizes that plateaus are not signs of failure but invitations to evolve. She shares that even with Gingerbread’s success in generating seven figures, she has faced moments where growth seemed entirely stagnant. These moments, though challenging, have been pivotal in pushing her to reassess and adapt her strategies.
Stacie Bloomfield [00:51]: “Plateaus are not punishment. They are invitations. Invitations to evolve.”
Steps to Overcome Business Stagnation
To assist listeners facing similar challenges, Stacie outlines a three-step process designed to diagnose and address the root causes of business stagnation.
Step 1: Diagnose the Real Problem Before You Blow Everything Up
The first step involves pausing and conducting a thorough analysis to identify the underlying issues causing the stagnation. Stacie advises artists to question whether the problem lies with the offer, the audience, or the messaging.
Stacie Bloomfield [02:30]: “Is it the offer? The audience? The messaging? Sometimes we're selling a great product but to the wrong person.”
She highlights the importance of understanding the target audience and ensuring that the product aligns with their needs and desires. For instance, determining whether customers are buying gifts for specific occasions can significantly impact the product’s positioning and appeal.
Step 2: Do Something Bold
Once the problem is diagnosed, Stacie encourages artists to take bold, albeit small, actions to revitalize their business. This might involve experimenting with new art ideas, refreshing the website, launching a different offer, or adding a new income stream.
Stacie Bloomfield [04:15]: “Let's try a little refresh and shake things up. Get weird.”
Stacie shares her own experience of venturing into education by teaching other artists how to grow their art businesses. Despite initial reservations and self-doubt, this bold move reignited her passion and expanded her role within her business.
Step 3: Recommit with a Fresh Rhythm
The final step focuses on restoring balance and preventing burnout by adopting a structured yet flexible workflow. Stacie introduces the "five-hour a week" framework from her book, The Artist Side Hustle, which allocates time for product development, marketing, audience connection, administrative tasks, and personal well-being.
Stacie Bloomfield [05:50]: “That rhythm works because it gives you structure without burnout, action without anxiety and progress without overwhelm.”
This approach ensures that artists can maintain productivity and creativity without succumbing to stress and fatigue.
Insights and Conclusions
Throughout the episode, Stacie reinforces the notion that encountering business plateaus is a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey. Instead of viewing these moments as setbacks, she urges artists to see them as opportunities for growth and innovation. By diagnosing the real problems, taking bold actions, and recommitting with a balanced approach, artists can navigate through stagnation and continue to build successful, fulfilling art businesses.
Stacie Bloomfield [06:00]: “You're not broken. You haven't peaked. You're not behind. You're at the edge of your next evolution.”
Final Thoughts
Stacie concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to embrace change and remain resilient in the face of challenges. She invites artists to engage with the community by sharing their experiences and questions, fostering a supportive environment for collective growth.
Key Takeaways:
- Plateaus Are Natural: Understand that periods of stagnation are part of the growth process and can lead to significant evolution.
- Diagnose Before Acting: Carefully assess the root causes of business challenges before making drastic changes.
- Embrace Boldness: Don’t be afraid to try new strategies or pivot your business approach to reignite growth.
- Maintain Balance: Implement structured routines that promote productivity while preventing burnout.
By following Stacie Bloomfield’s guidance, artists can overcome periods of stagnation and continue to develop their art businesses with renewed energy and clarity.