Do we need a business manager?

Hi everyone,

My husband is the artist and I try to help but have a business (and health issues) of my own. We are thinking of getting out of the art fair business because we are not succeeding, and it's a lot of extra bookkeeping and stress to keep it going. I guess it would all be manageable if this were our only business, but it's not-and most days are pretty stressful.

We just took a small business class and learned that's it best to hire out those things that you're not good at, so that you can focus on what you do well. Well, we don't excel in growing the business, and seem stuck going to mediocre shows and barely breaking even. When we have gone to better shows he has done very well, and with just a few shows like this per year things would be great. I know there are things we should do but I don't have time to do them, and he is busy making art. So, would it be worth it to have a business manager or someone to consult with about the best next steps? If so, how would that work and what would be a reasonable salary for that person? Has anyone tried this?

Replies

Franklin Piuck February 25, 2019 at 1:06pm

Lyra, I think before you hire a business manager you should look for a coach. You need someone to help you think through things. It may be that you should be hiring services to do certain tasks for you, rather than an employee. It may be that you should be studying how to get your husband into a smaller number of higher end shows, rather than spending lots of time working in shows where he doesn't do well. Or perhaps his work belongs in a gallery. Without knowing more about his work, and for that matter, about your business, we can't give much useful advice.
- Lyra y Jose > Franklin Piuck February 25, 2019 at 7:32pm
  
  Thanks Franklin for your answer. I agree about getting him into fewer good shows, and not wasting time at shows without our target market. I will look into the gallery idea-that would be a good fit.
  
  Luckily, someone in our recent business course contacted us and wants to help with marketing. That alone should be very helpful. But I think it will also be beneficial to us to get a bookkeeping service so we can focus on the other things.
  
  Thanks again
  - Judy Christian > Lyra y Jose March 22, 2019 at 11:20am
    
    You can probably manage your own business. You are perhaps overwhelmed at the moment; we've all been there!
    
    What I have learned to do is a LOT of assessing and prioritizing. Constantly, especially when I am in a big project which I am doing right now, and which made me think of your dilemma.
    
    Assess every morning, prioritize every morning. Assess throughout the day if you have several tasks. Do the ones with actual deadlines first.
    
    Write a daily list down, and lists for the day, week, whatever to get yourself disciplined and to calm yourself down as you can see that what is on the list, parsed out into time slots, can be accomplished. Let us know how it goes.
Larry Schneider February 23, 2019 at 7:21am

I do shows for 40 years. Bird and wildlife paintings During this time I acquired a number of houses to rent. I look for a property business manager for the past ten years. Never found one. Any tried were worthless, Collect your money and do nothing.
- Lyra y Jose > Larry Schneider February 23, 2019 at 7:37am
  
  Hi Barry, Thanks for your feedback. I have rental houses too, and can't find a decent property manager either. But the more I think about the art business, the more I know we need some kind of help.
  
  Thanks again

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