In this solo episode of Art & Cocktails, I’m (Ekaterina Popova) celebrating my nine-year self-employment anniversary—marking the moment I walked out of my corporate job and committed to building a life as a full-time artist and creative entrepreneur.

This conversation blends personal storytelling with practical strategies for artists who are just starting out, those in the thick of building, and anyone dreaming of making their creative practice sustainable.

I share what worked for me when I had fewer than 300 followers, no gallery representation, and no real roadmap—just passion, urgency, and the willingness to figure it out. You’ll hear what helped me sell my first artworks, grow beyond friends and family, and start showing up professionally long before I felt “ready.”

Topics include:

How I made my first sales with a small audience
What to post and how to talk about your work
Why local shows and early wins deserve celebration
How I began getting noticed by curators and galleries
What I did to prepare for opportunities before they happened
Why I built Create! Magazine to support other artists like me
The shift from doing everything to scaling through systems
Why you don’t need to go viral to succeed
How creative leadership changed my business and energy

I also talk about growing Create U, embracing structure as a form of freedom, and what I’ve learned about building a business that allows for rest, alignment, and long-term joy—not just hustle.

If you’re navigating a season of growth or feel like you're on the edge of something new, I hope this episode encourages you to take your next brave step.

Explore resources mentioned in this episode:

Sell From the Studio course at Create U: www.createu.co/sell-from-the-studio
Submit to Create! Magazine: www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art
Read and subscribe to my Substack: artandcocktails.substack.com

Thank you so much for listening. I’m honored to be on this creative path with you.

Get full access to Art & Cocktails by Ekaterina Popova at artandcocktails.substack.com/subscribe