IN A shaky and uncertain world of business, innovation and good rapport with clients are but always effective weapons to win the game.
Davao’s emerging businesswoman, April San Pedro, a graphic designer and crafter behind Artisan, a dainty crafts and design shop, shared her bumpy but worthy journey of discovery and fulfillment as an art entrepreneur.
San Pedro has been in the art-inclined business for almost eight years.
She started Artisan years after her business and corporate jobs. The art shop, which opened last July 8, 2009 offers a wide array of jewelry, clay, carving rubber stamps, paper flowers, washi tapes, cameras, frames, punchers, planners, accessories, stickers and whatnot.
Endless upgrade
Innovation, San Pedro said, is a never-ending process, a thing one has to embrace.
“You always have to hone your skills, especial in art businesses because you are selling your expression,” she said.
The young entrepreneur recognized that trends in the business world are always changing and evolving, hence a need for one to keep up and ride on the tide or be stagnant and irrelevant.
“It (business trends) changes so fast, if you don’t ride on it, you will be lost. I think one businessman should arm himself/herself with an innovative mind that is the secret. You can’t just settle for what you know for now, keep on honing your skills, it is a necessity,” San Pedro said.
For typography, for instance, San Pedro said an artist should not settle for one style of writing.
Harmonious relationship
Personal touch on products and being hands-on with one’s business are keys to success.
“Establishing good relationship with your customers will result to good business. Gaining their trust and keeping it is but important. Also, your customers can be your gate to a bigger network and followers,” she said.
She also underscored that it is important for a businessman to have a deep understanding about all his/her products.
Beyond earning profit, San Pedro also shared that she, as an art entrepreneur, goes beyond selling her products.
“What I do, I don’t just sell merely my products. I am also trying to teach my clients on how to use it, and let them explore what they can do out of the products I sell,” she said.
On getting stronger and solid market base, San Pedro shared, one should seize opportunities offered by social media platforms.
“I use my social media accounts to showcase to people what I do, I share photos of my artworks and crafts through that you can also gain clients and followers,” she added.
San Pedro, as an art entrepreneur, uses her skills to fuel up the art industry in Davao City and survive for a living.
“I have so much confidence that art industry here will reach its fullest bloom. There is really a big, significant difference now on how the market accepts art, before they are unfamiliar of these things, but now a lot of people are interested to learn and explore arts and crafts. Social media has played a major role on this welcome evolution,” she said.
San Pedro, in her young age, is already a step closer to her dream and passion -- to become an artist inspiring fellow artists.
