At The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, we believe that creativity and entrepreneurship go hand in hand. That’s why we launched the Professional Development Hub, a survey that helps place artists with the right local experts to help them build sustainable, successful careers.
Our partners:
- SCORE: A national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping small businesses succeed through free mentoring, workshops, and educational resources.
- The GTCC Small Business Center: Part of Guilford Technical Community College, the Small Business Center provides free counseling, workshops, and access to resources designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners succeed.
- Triangle ArtWorks: A vibrant hub for artists and creative professionals, Triangle ArtWorks connects, supports, and advocates for the arts community in North Carolina.
These partner organizations have helped local creatives refine their business models, set up smarter systems, and explore new revenue streams that align with their artistic goals. Their workshops cover essential topics like budgeting, marketing, legal structures, pricing your work, and more, all through a creative lens.
Rich Neinast, a seasoned SCORE mentor, is Chair of the NC Piedmont Triad SCORE, one of our regular partners dedicated to helping creative entrepreneurs find clarity, confidence, and direction.
So what does Rich want every artist to know? Here are his top three pieces of advice:
- Start with a business plan and financials. Period. “If you do a business plan, it really helps you think through all the pieces you need to be successful,” Rich explains. The same goes for your finances: “You should be measuring yourself every month against your original projections. We provide templates that help you adjust and reforecast as you go. That’s part of running a real business.”
- Focus on the important stuff and delegate the rest. “If you’re not good with numbers, get a CPA. If you’re not great at bookkeeping, find a bookkeeper. If social media’s not your thing, hire someone who loves it. You don’t have to do everything yourself.” Trying to manage it all on your own, he warns, is the fastest way to burn out.
- Be ready to work hard, but know it’s worth it. “It’s not going to be easy,” Rich says. “This is your business. You might work 60 hours a week in the beginning. Maybe 50 once you’re established. But it’s yours.”
And when it’s yours, the reward is deeper than just a paycheck. It’s your art, on your terms, reaching the world.
