Secret or Share?

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Running a creative business is quite a bizarre experience as there is always a new dilemma and/or crossroads that pops up every single day. (And that’s not even an exaggeration.)

These peculiar tests from the Universe offer us the opportunity to expand and grow, get clearer on our values, stay true to our word or…hide and hope that the pest goes away.

But much like a hovering fly in your airspace on the cusp of sleep, these situations rarely bugger off when you want them to. You have to face the music, often instantly, and flex your diplomacy muscles or the power of the block button (the latter should be used sparingly, but it has its place).

Today’s test came in the form of an innocent community member asking for the name of my printer for the Artist Affirmations Card Deck.

Now, when it comes to sharing resources and knowledge I usually have a the more the merrier, what goes around comes around kind of approach. Not sure which website builder to use? I got you. Getting stuck with reels? I'll do my best to help. Pouring your heart out in response to one of my posts? I'm your personal pep rally.

But for some reason, giving up my printer feels like a stretch. Perhaps it’s because I spent a long time (no, a really long time) doing research and getting quotes and going back and forth on internet browsers with blurry eyes. Perhaps it’s because this person hasn’t actually purchased a deck, or anything from Rust, or actually ever spoken to me before.

Again, no shade, it’s just a strange situation that I haven’t found myself in before.

Before writing this article, I approached the queen of cards, Gabriella Rosie, and asked her how she handled situations like this, as her card decks are popular as hell and I imagined she’d get a lot of questions along the same line.

Gabi’s advice was spot on (as usual, this is why I invested in her Art & Money Masterclass – the woman knows her shit!) and she encouraged me to not give up my suppliers if I didn’t want to, and instead direct any questions to my coaching services, which is a bloody brilliant idea.

I already feel much better knowing that my hesitation was, is, justified, and that as an artist and a business owner I’m entitled to keep some things to myself.

That being said, if you’re reading this and wanted to get the down low on my supply chain or how I create products, I would absolutely love to help you (and dish out names) in a 1:1 Creativity Coaching Session. That feels like a fair energetic exchange – my time and labour for money – and something I can totally get behind.

So there ya have it. You don’t have to share every single supplier or hack you use in your business. If it feels good to share, go right ahead, but if you’d rather keep it close to your chest, or share in exchange for an investment on their end, that’s absolutely okay too.

Remember, we get to make the rules, and should always do what feels right for us.

Love, Viv

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