When I first started my own business, I'll admit I was pretty lost. I was booking a lot of private clients, but I wasn't sure what the end game was. Was I just supposed to keep doing private one-on-ones? Should I focus more on group sessions? How would I scale and get some more of my time and creative freedom back?

In this LONG ASS video (clocking in at over 43 minutes), I share my honest journey from Corporate America to actually starting my business, pivoting, a million times, and then finally finding more peace through making products. I'm still not near anywhere done, but I'm making progress, and wanted to share an HONEST look at what it's like. So if you are a fellow artist or creative, looking to grow your business, tune in!

We go through the 7 stages of entrepreneurial growth, so feel free to skip what makes sense for you.

Timestamps:

0:00 Welcome

1:39 Level 0: Corporate Life

5:28 Level 1: Go Freelance

7:40Level 2: Freelance, But Your Own Company

14:06 Level 3: Your Own Company, Plus Hire Others

21:08 Level 4: Social Media Monetization

24:17 Level 5: Social Media Brand Deals

27:00 Level 6: Products, Not Services

37:28 Level 7: Digital Products + Physical Products

42:14 Wrap-Up

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Career Journals:

If you’re considering leaving your 9-5 job, try the “Should I Quit?” journal. If you need step-by-step help in finding a new job, try the “10 Week Plan." Journals are handmade and shipped globally. Starts at $28 USD. https://mandytang.co/products/should-i-quit-journal

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Long-form articles on careers and creativity, published twice a month: https://careercoachmandy.substack.com

Articles that may help you:

What do I do next? https://careercoachmandy.substack.com/p/what-do-i-do-next

How do I make time for my creative projects? https://careercoachmandy.substack.com/p/i-have-a-burning-question-answering

The importance of finishing: https://careercoachmandy.substack.com/p/the-importance-of-finishing

What are your favorite books? https://www.amazon.com/shop/careercoachmandy/list/23GFL2SJOVANU?ref_=aipsflist https://www.amazon.com/shop/careercoachmandy/list/3R1Q9BBISTNGG?ref_=aipsflist

What tech do you use? https://www.amazon.com/shop/careercoachmandy/list/11GCX9B5N0XRM?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d

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#28 Yeah, You Should: Just Start Your Creative Business Already -- The 7 (no-BS) Stages of Entrepreneurial Growth