I’ve been an independent business owner for more than 20 years. I held a flexible-commission position for a couple years in the early 1990s. I’ve also worked a number of part-time jobs. But I have never devoted 40 hours a week to one employer or client.  That might have to change.

Like any business, I’ve had my ups and downs. Last year was a struggle in the Detroit area. Despite that, my income still increased  by about 15 percent last year.

During the last recession in 2002,  I lost close to 70 percent of my business. How did that happen? I didn’t adjust to the new environment.  When times are good, making money is easy. 

However, Michigan didn’t enjoy the last upswing in the economy. In spite of that, my company grew over the last six years. Why? This time I made the proper adjustments as the business cycle swung forward without us.

Now, we stand on the brink of a new era. As print and traditional media continue to free fall, I’ve watched as most of my reliable, consistent work has tumbled over the edge. Although I’ve replaced that income with new corporate clients, it is easy to see the business environment for my service is making additional shifts.

Even with all my grand plans, I realize that I’m not adjusting fast enough.  I’m not working efficiently. I’m not following through on my new ideas and business plans. The thought came to me: If I worked this way for another company, would I still have a job? The answer is no.  So, I fired myself today.

As I  pondered my unemployed status, I thought about who would hire me.  Who would pay me what I made at The Rosh Group Inc. last year?

What skills do I have?

• I have a BFA in photography from the Center of Creative Studies in Detroit.
• I have a competitive photography portfolio.
• I’m an able writer with a growing social media brand and skills (www.newmediaphotographer.com).
• I am an effective public speaker.
• I know how to network;  I understand marketing and public relations.
•  My accounting skills are pathetic.

As a 40-year-old man, I’m not sure who or what company really needs someone with my qualifications.  But, if it’s your company, feel free to e-mail me and make an offer I can’t refuse.

In the meantime, I have a company to run.  I have released that old- school, inefficient slacker. I’ve kicked to the curb the dead weight that would allow this fine company to go down without a fight.

Now, I have to step up and personally fill that position.  I must network. I must rethink this new environment.  I need to take action on a daily basis.  This needs to be a full-time effort.  Sitting back and riding the wave is not acceptable and will not work.

Why was I really fired? Why must I step up and fill this position with all my heart?

The answer is simple:  If I don’t do what it takes, I will lose it all. 

Rosh

This week Rosh and Dean offer a valuable podcast about the importance of experience.

• Experience podcast #125
• Hosts Rosh Sillars and Dean LaDouceur
• This Podcast is about supporting artists and creative companies with business, creativity and marketing ideas.
• Topics Mentioned: Experience. “Getting it” – knowledge is good but, experience allows you to really understand, Selling your work, Are you being a thought leader? How do I get experience?create the experience. Build relationships, Illustrative style photography, Lucisart.
• People, places and things mentioned during the show: Rosh Sillars’ 40th Birthday, Twitter, Laura Jean La Douceur, Tom Wilson Palace of Auburn Hills, Flickr
• High contrast illustrative photography.  Rosh Sillars example roshsillars.com
• Comment line 206 202 3586
• E-mail Prosperous Artists
• New Media Photographer
• Prosperous Artists
• Artist blog, blogging for artists, artists podcast, marketing podcast, art marketing
• Who’s creative: Linda Lewis
• QUESTION :  What are you going to do to create more experience?

This week Rosh and Dean talk about giving and receiving affirmations. Supporting others.

• Affirmations podcast #124
• Hosts Rosh Sillars and Dean LaDouceur
• This Podcast is about supporting artists and creative companies with business, creativity and marketing ideas.
• Art Career.net New blog with some resources and they listed Prosperous Artists
• Dean’s post Double edged sword 
• Who’s creative Jason Jones  Costa Mesa, California
• Topics Mentioned: It is better to help and encourage other artists “your competition”, offer recognition, champion other people, retaining employees
• People, places and things mentioned during the show Sarah ferguson , Linkedin, Flickr , New media photographer Flickr Group
• Comment line: 206-202-3586
• E-mail Prosperous Artists 
• New Media Photographer
• Prosperous Artists
• Artist blog, blogging for artists, artists podcast, marketing podcast, art marketing
• QUESTION :  Who can you champion?

Today Dean and I talk about “cash flow”.  Please note we had a microphone off in the first few minutes.

A fellow podcaster and listener of Prosperous Artists Rebecca Coleman has a blog post and podcasts coming up on the same topic.  We encourage you to listen.

Hey! I’m a publicist and actor, based here in Vancouver, BC, Canada. For a bunch of years, now, I have been facilitating workshops for artists on the business of being an artist, and recently, I started a monthly column on a local blog, The Next Stage, and a podcast called The Art of the Business.

-Rebecca

Who’s creative:

Storyboard

Steve McCurry – photographer

When you share your knowledge you strengthen your industry and gain unexpected rewards.

I’m certainly not suggesting Coke publish the secret formula on their web site.  But for a creative person sharing knowledge, especially business knowledge, will help the community has a whole. 

The more knowledge amateurs, students or beginners have the greater their ability to make quality decisions.  People can’t be forced to follow best practices or charge a professional rate for their work.  But, more often it’s a lack of knowledge and experience that leads to such poor decision-making. 

One person can make a difference.

In the depressed Michigan economy may photographers offer lower then average rates.  A respected commercial photographer took a simple action and posted his high rates on his web site.

Detroit area photographers began to use his information as an estimating reference, as a result, the average professional photography rates in the community began to rise.  For example many photographers who would often charge $100 an hour for events started charging $150 + an hour (just below the listed rate of $175). 

Over time, the bold photographer continued gain the reputation as an expert and mentor to photographers in his community.  He is regarded as an expensive photographer, which of course translates into the perception of quality.  This has earned him quality clients with serious budgets who demand only the best for their high value projects.

What can you do?  Share what you know!  If you don’t know anything, find someone who does, learn and then  you can make a difference too.  

Rosh

Fear comes in many forms. 

I had planned on writing about fear for the last few weeks.  It’s a major factor preventing many people from living their dreams.

I write this post as I fly home from New York.   Exhausted both physically and mentally, I really am not sure what to feel.  I faced fear.  But, I know I have far to go. 

I had four assignments on my New York trip. First was to photograph the two new baseball stadiums and the union members building them.  That was not bad.  But, today (Friday) my assignment was to photograph two new 50-60 story “green buildings” still under construction and the members good work.

To get to the workers we had to travel up.  Way up.  We traveled in a construction elevator off the side of the building. 

I can be a nervous traveler, I’m traditionally not a fan of heights and I have lost clients in the past do to my refusal to enter elevators in tall old buildings in Detroit.

Today, I’m much better about my traveling, I’ve worked through much of my elevator phobia, and I now hang out of low flying helicopters and lifts to take photographs.   But being asked to photography ground zero off the side of a platform between the construction lift and the building twenty stories up worked my nerves.   Not to mention immediately after the shot they announced it was time to get back on the lift and travel up to about fifty stories. 

“Do you have stairs?”

The answer was yes.  So I walked up fifteen-twenty stories.  The walk, as painful as it was, grounded me.  I got my wobbly legs back and promised myself I would get back on the elevator.  I did and proceed to again trek several times up and down the side of the building.  I even found myself leaning back relaxed on the last couple trips.

Fear, in my experience, is usually related to the unknown or lack of control.

While, I’m not ready to do this assignment again soon.  I do know I will have another like it in the future.  I’m prepared.

Fear often keeps us from moving forward into the unknown.   Getting over fear is not an easy task, but the only cure is to work your way through it.  It’s like removing a bandage.  You can rip it off quickly or you can do it slowly.   Either is fine as long as you finish the job.

Quick takes guts, but it’s over with fast.  Slow is more painful, but you feel like you have more control over the pain.

I jumped in to this project quickly, but had to take a twenty story step back (or up) before I could jump on again.  

Fear will stop you from following your dreams.  What fears do you have? What unknowns are holding you back?

Fear of speaking, crowds, germs, criticism of your work, failure and success are common issues people need to face.  If you are not taking the steps you need to follow the path you desire, it is time to step back, think about what your fear might be and take immediate steps to overcome it.

Fear of success is just as powerful as fear of failure.   Sometimes failure is more comfortable because you know what it’s all about.  Success may be foreign to you.  The unknown.  Allow yourself to succeed.  Allow yourself to fail.  Allow yourself to act. 

Rosh