December 05, 2024

Ep 159: Building a Creative Business and Life with Janna Willoughby-Lohr

54 minutes

In this episode of Paper Talk, we welcome back returning guest Janna Willoughby-Lohr, who shares her journey as both an artist and business owner. Janna, a mother of three, reflects on the changes and challenges she's faced since her last appearance in Episode 121, including navigating life as a parent while continuing to expand her paper art business. Janna offers insights into everything from taking a structured maternity leave to reinvesting in her team and scaling her business thoughtfully to allow more time with her family.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

The Dual Role of Artist & Entrepreneur: Janna opens up about how the life of an artist often demands learning business skills. She discusses her upcoming course, *The Art of Business and the Business of Art*, which addresses challenges like pricing, sustainability, and marketing specifically tailored for creatives.

Balancing Business with Family Life: Janna reflects on how becoming a mom transformed her approach to her business. She emphasizes the importance of evaluating what types of work are worth doing financially and emotionally, and how sustainable choices can empower artists to stay passionate and productive.

How to Charge for Your Work: From materials and labor to often-overlooked aspects like time spent marketing and shipping, Janna highlights the importance of understanding all costs involved in each piece. She advises on pricing strategies and the mindset shift required for artists to feel confident asking for fair compensation.

Re-thinking Craft Shows as a Marketing Tool: Janna, Jessie, and the team explore the value of in-person events like craft shows, which can provide critical insights into customer engagement, help artists hone their “elevator pitches,” and develop confidence in communicating their art’s unique value.

Building a Support System: Janna shares her approach to delegating tasks and prioritizing personal strengths. For artists who may not enjoy certain aspects of business (e.g., social media), she suggests outsourcing where possible to avoid burnout and preserve energy for the creative aspects they love.

Tune in for an inspiring and educational episode packed with tips for managing an art-based business, the importance of self-advocacy, and a peek into Janna’s upcoming course designed to support artists looking to thrive professionally while staying true to their creative passions.

Learn more about Janna’s upcoming course, The Art of Business & The Business of Art!

With over ten years in business and more than two decades honing her craft, Janna Willoughby-Lohr of Papercraft Miracles brings you everything you need to monetize your artwork and build a sustainable business in her new course, The Art of Business & The Business of Art. Dive into the course’s 21 Video Segments, 7 Lessons and Bonus Content, and 20+ Custom Resources and emerge with the confidence and tools you’ll need to run a successful art business of your own.

**Register here. THE FIRST 50 TO REGISTER SAVE OVER 50% WITH CODE: AOBPRE**

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Be sure to listen to the entire episode for many more insights. For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.

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