Success Spotlight #7

1. What made you go into business for yourself?

The reason I wanted to go into business for myself was to increase the amount of work I would secure being a fashion stylist. Being a fashion stylist is a freelance position so you are already working for yourself by promoting your skills and creativity to potential clients for work. So starting my own business to do this for other artists like myself who are also freelance was a natural evolvement of what I was already doing.

There are many talented freelance artists living in Toronto such as Photographers, Illustrators, Graphic Designers and many others. However, many of these artists find it hard to find continous work in their field. This is due to a few reasons such as having to compete with their american counterparts, not knowing how to promote their self to clients or not having the time if they are already working on a project. Therefore, there is a need for these artists to be represented and promoted professionally to attain regular work. This is what Orange Collective does as a business.

2. What was hard about it?

The most difficult aspect for Orange Collective has been attaining seed capital for start-up costs. This seems to be the case for many starting businesses however this obstacle has really slowed the development for Orange Collective's growth. We have many artists on our roster who are eager to work but not enough money to promote them fast enough and to a broad range of clients at once. We have secured work for many of our artists to date. But we feel if we could do a mass promotion for the agency and artists we would be able to secure a lot more employment opportunities more regularly.

3. What was something surprising about it?

There is a positive side and negative side as to what is surprising about this business. The negative side is that even though there is talented Canadian artists who are more than capable to do the job many Canadian companies still hire american freelance artists to carry out their creative jobs which results in a loss of work and recognition for our own home grown talent.

The positive surprise or rather the positive response is that there are many clients that are realizing the talent that exists here in Canada and are slowly giving more of the creative work to this talent and this includes american clientele. This creates work opportunities for the artists that Orange Collective represents.

4. What do you really love about having your own business?

I really love the fact that I am helping myself while at the same time helping others to be self-employed. Right now there is no profit, the money the agency makes goes right back into operational costs but this will progress in the future. Therefore, providing an income for myself and other employees. The artists that Orange Collective represent are independent contractors so they are considered self-employed as well. So when we secure jobs for them it is not only a monetary satisfaction for the agency but a giving one as well and that is what I really love.

5. What advice/comments would you offer upcoming entrepreneurs?

I feel that the best time to start your business is always now. If you have a really good idea you just cannot sleep on then it is worthwile to pursue at full speed. The best way to suceed at it, is to keep trying and to accept help when it arrives. Training courses such as entreprenurial training courses such as SEDI or help from friends is most always needed for learning and support. As long as you believe in your idea, are professional about it and don't step on other people to do it you will be guaranteed success.