The Artist/Inventor Archetype

“You can have it all. Just not all at once.” - Oprah Winfrey

Your Personal Imprint

This archetype is primarily focused on creative expression, whether through talents or inventions. Whether you’ve developed a new hot sauce, created a unique board game, launched a fashion design label, or work as a social media content creator, the products or services you offer are original and bear your individual mark.

An artistic soul or inventive spirit is at the core of who you are. However, being an entrepreneur adds a deeper layer of complexity: Who do you serve? Do they see value in your product or service?

Entrepreneur or Artist?

Sergey* was a filmmaker who wanted to start a corporate video company. “This will allow me to make some money while I work on my next film,” he reasoned. “Have you done any corporate video-making or do you have any potential clients?” I asked. “No, but I’m sure it can't be that difficult once I get the clients. I know my way around a camera and post-production,” he chuckled. “Doing the actual work and getting clients are two different things. Financially, it will take time to build up a new business. You won’t have time to devote to your filmmaking. This can end up being the worst of both worlds,” I cautioned.

As an entrepreneur, your focus is on your customers — using your creativity to serve them. As an artist, your focus is on using your creativity to serve your unique vision and expression. An artist is not defined by how much money they make; rather, they are defined by their commitment to their art and how much time, energy, and soul they invest in their craft.

If you insist on commercializing your art, you may have to compromise your vision to earn money. It’s crucial to consider the financial implications of how you envision this unfolding. We must recognize that business can be unfair: people will pay thousands for a luxury watch but hesitate to buy a $50 ticket to the theater.

If you seek funding from a lending institution to finance your music, art, book, or film, you will likely be declined. These ventures are highly speculative, and the risk is generally too high for financing. While some programs for the arts exist, they are limited in scope.

This should not deter you from using your creative talents.

There is ongoing debate about whether you should follow your passions. Many argue it’s bad advice. I believe it’s contextual. I like to say, follow your curiosities — just be aware of whether it should be a business. Expressing our creative impulses is healthy; it becomes problematic when we expect all our creative needs to be met through our business. To gain a better understanding of this concept, read my blog about the purpose of a business.

My Journey into Creativity

As a side gig, I started a theater festival two decades ago—initially out of curiosity. It evolved into the inspiraTO Festival, Canada’s largest ten-minute play festival, which ran for 14 consecutive years. I received grants for a couple of years, but for the most part, the festival was a labor of love and a wonderful source of creative expression. Each season, we welcomed over 100 participating theater artists. You can watch a promo video about the festival here.

A couple of years ago, I ran into Shona,* who had directed one of the plays in the festival's early days. I asked her what she was doing now. She was running an event planning and corporate video company. After spending time in the film industry and taking on various directing gigs, she had to decide to move on. I asked her if she felt she was using her creativity in her business. “At times,” she remarked, “depending on the client.” She took pride in her work and the satisfaction of her clients. Then she grinned, “I still take film gigs from time to time and have finished a short film. I love that I can be selective and do work that truly inspires me.”

Sergey and Shona represent opposite ends of the same coin. Sergey, dedicated to filmmaking, must realize that starting a business will divert his energy from that pursuit. It's better for him to focus on filmmaking and support himself with part-time gigs. Conversely, if you have given everything to your art and cannot make a sustainable living, you can leverage that skill to start a business and commit fully. This shift allows you to express your creativity in new ways, choosing projects that inspire you rather than those driven solely by financial necessity.

What aspects of your creativity can you leverage in starting a business?

What other creative avenues can you explore, and what doors might they open?

*Name changed for confidentiality.

12th inspiraTO Festival, Awards

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