(no subject)
I find myself a business woman- or attempting to be one. This wasn't exactly intentional. It shouldn't be surprising, but its almost coincidental occurance takes me aback.
I've started teaching bellydance classes again. Not in community college/an organised community this time... My tattoo artists opened up a studio-- the top half is their studio and working space, the bottom part is an art gallery. It's outside of Pittsburgh, closer to where I live, and in an area where there is little-to-no alternative scene, but a definite need for something different. I think we're doing our part to convert the Valley. Anyhow, this is a heck of a time to be taking financial risks, and to try to organise a class that can consistantly pay the rent. I'm expecting to pay to teach for at least a month- hopefully it will improve after that and pay for itself in the long run. Right now, it is a decided business risk, and the responsibility is a bit intimidating. I have a ton more advertising to do. It's just odd, because bellydance is actually one thing I never planned on making a profit on. I think my main goal is successful classes that I don't have to worry about financially, and creating an interest/venue in my area. Developing the habit until it can support itself would be fabulous, but that's about as much as I ask for.
One really cool thing? I might have a live musician soon. Will have to work the details out for that one, as I can't afford to pay myself yet. But still. Bellydance classes, fifteen minutes from my house, in a tattoo studio and art gallery, with a live musician? ...seriously? No wonder I'm paying to do it.
Photography... Working on revamping my business plans. Yes... again. I equate it to newborns; how the most rapid, miraculous developmental growth occurs in the first three years of life. At least, that makes me feel better about the ever-amorphous direction that is a small business. I'm working on finding a studio to rent for shoots. As most of these have monthly membership fees, that means I have to start generating a consistant amount of work to cover the rent and my own expenses. Because there's nothing like pressure, right?
I've actually been working on new marketing, some promotions that will possibly push prospective customers out of the woodwork, but haven't yet decided the best course of action. I can do the work, the graphic design and writing, but marketing and networking is so not my strong field. Also, I really need new equipment, specifically a new lens, which will probably cost more then my camera even did. My style has literally gotten to the point where I can take better pictures than most of my lenses are able to. Especially when relying on paid work, I have to be able to consistantly deliver improved products, and that's not going to happen with my current equipment. It's growing into a bitter circle.
I feel like it is necessary to spend so much time on bellydance, and then on photography, and that they both can't be handled at once. I hope that I can get to a point that has less of my reclusive, unmotivated tendencies and actually give both jobs the attention they need in these early years.
(or, see more shiny pictures here.)