Artist or Entrepreneur

The artistic process is very similar to the entrepreneurial path. Both artists and entrepreneurs create something from nothing, face rejection and fine tune their approach to succeed.

It was an hour long discussion this weekend about the differences between Artists and Entrepreneurs.  As yoga teachers, we tend to fall into one category or the other.

The Artist is motivated to create an atmosphere that will reflect his or her specific type of art.  The Artist expects to be paid what she's worth.  It's not about diversifying to meet the needs of others. For Artists, it's about sharing their talent with others and exploring their specific vision.  Take it or leave it.   After all, it is THEIR art.  A lot of the time, yoga studios that are opened and run by Artists do not succeed.  Artists don't make the best business people.  They aren't into customer service. They want to focus on their art.  They want to concentrate on the muse.

The Entrepreneur is more focused on figuring out what the students need.  The Entrepreneur is not afraid of diversifying or deviating from their personal vision.  If Artists are the back of the house, Entrepreneurs are the hosts and hostesses. With regards to yoga, they meet the student where the student is at.  They look to grow their business by searching out other avenues for revenue.

My coworker says I'm an Artist.  I tend to disagree.

In regards to yoga, I am certainly about the spiritual art of it all. That is my focused goal in practicing and teaching.  However, I truly understand that yoga brings different things to different people.  Yoga is about meeting people where they are at, not forcing them to subscribe to what type of yoga is your personal preference.

I have friends who are Artists.  They are some of the most intelligent and thought provoking people I know.   They are also, however, some of the most opinionated and emotional people I know too.  You have to be extremely confident and laid back to be friends with an Artist.  Oh, there's no room to be sensitive or insecure.  Artists don't always play nice with others.

So my coworker is wrong.  I may enjoy the creative life, but I am no Artist.  I have no desire to own my own studio either.  So maybe I'm not an Entrepreneur in a traditional sense either.  I diversify though.  I have eggs in all sorts of baskets.  That's an Entrepreneurial move, right?