Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Orr.
Erica, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always had a passion for art – from the theatre (actor/prop master/scenic painter/set designer/costume designer/stage manager), drawing, painting, jewelry, recycling distressed fur jackets, headwear accessories, and creating anything else that strikes my interest. I have been active in the arts since first grade and continue exploring my passion presently.
I took a college course where I was told: “it doesn’t matter what you get your degree in, as long as you have a degree” and this made me realize I am allowed to follow my dreams of creativity. I went to SDSU and received my BA in Theatre Arts with an emphasis on set design for tv and film. As I was preparing to move to Los Angeles, I soon realized LA is not where I want to build my life. After realizing LA was not in my stars, I decided to make something happen for me in San Diego. I worked for many wonderful theatre companies in San Diego as a scenic painter and prop master for multiple shows, and got an opportunity to work in events as an event coordinator.
In 2016, I started to focus more on the life I wanted to live. Since the age of 14, I knew I wanted to own my own business. Through my exploration of what made me happiest, I realized my love of business and my love of the arts is where I needed to start focusing my energy on. In August 2016, I quit my corporate job and begin to create my own business, Dusty Dawn Art & Consulting. My mission with Dusty Dawn Art & Consulting is to help creative entrepreneurs build a sustainable business with their art. Art is so important to human nature and art helps creates closer connections to each other.
With my desire to bring art to the forefront and to remind people about the importance of creativity, I started my artist talk podcast, The Artist Unmasked. The Artist Unmasked Podcast provides a platform for artists of all kinds to share their story, their process, and how art helps them through any issues they may have. My goal with Dusty Dawn Art & Consulting is to be a resource for artists who need and want help with the business aspects of selling their work so they may focus on creating their art.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I do not believe any entrepreneurship adventure is. The first year of my business has been the more difficult by far. I left my job with a steady paycheck, which caused a lot of fear to fill my head. Handling and pushing through fear is one of the most difficult things I have done and is not an easy feat. I compare the first year of building my business as to climbing up a very steep mountain without any support.
As I approach the third year of my business, I now feel I have walking sticks helping me climb the mountain. There are days I question if what I am doing is valuable or if I will succeed in reaching my goals, and then I am reminded I have immense support around me that helps me to keep climbing. Hiring a business coach was one of the most beneficial decisions I have made while building my business. (move sentence here).
Another struggle I faced during the first couple of years was learning about all the available marketing platforms and deciding on which one avenue to take. A lot of money can be wasted on marketing if you do not take the time to understand how to best utilize the marketing platforms and techniques.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Dusty Dawn Art and Consulting – what should we know?
Dusty Dawn Art & Consulting’s goal is to help creative entrepreneurs reach their professional and personal goals in all areas of their life. We help artists navigate the business aspect of selling their art and so they may build, grow, and expand their professional and personal life too as big as they dream. Using effective exercises, tools, and resources, you will have the ability to create the life and business you have always wanted.
Dusty Dawn Art & Consulting focuses on creating a systems dependent business, rather than a people dependent business. So what does that mean? That means we help our clients streamline their operational and marketing systems so if a person in the company leaves, the new person filling the position can easily be effective in their position. Dusty Dawn Art & Consulting also specializes in creating business strategies with detailed action plans so goals are achieved on schedule. We develop customized action plans, marketing systems, and operational systems based on the client’s needs and how they work best.
I am the most proud of The Artist Unmasked Podcast presented by Dusty Dawn Art & Consulting. The podcast has allowed me to meet really interesting people in the art scene in San Diego and allows me to connect people who have a similar goal or project. The Artist Unmasked gives me the opportunity to learn more about myself and provides a platform for people to be open and honest without judgment. Providing a big platform such as a podcast allows the artist to get their work to a wider audience and free marketing on my Instagram page @dustydawnart. I love being part of the arts and sharing people’s creations with the world.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My determination, perseverance, and trusting and believing in myself. Being an entrepreneur is more than owning your business. Being an entrepreneur is being open to change, being open to learning about yourself, being open to take risks, challenging yourself, believing in yourself, listening to yourself, and not giving up when things don’t turn out as you planned. Creating and building a business is one of the most stressful decisions a person can make and is completely rewarding at the same time.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4629 Cass St #254 San Diego, CA 92109
- Website: www.dustydawnconsulting.com
- Phone: 619-333-6165
- Email: info@dustydawnconsulting.com
- Instagram: @dustydawnart
- Facebook: @dustydawnart
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dusty-dawn-consulting-san-diego
Image Credit:
Samuel Ramirez, Space Clones (Marvin the Martian Mural)
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