Hi folks! Just wanted to take a minute to introduce myself to the forum. My name is Duane and I started my own business 5 years ago in Flint Michigan. Even though I live in a terrible economy I have been able to increase my income every year.
I was just reading that 90% of home based business' go under by the fifth year, so I feel pretty fortunate to have made it this long.
I guess doing what you love is the key no matter where you live.
Anyway, I mostly Faux paint along with (in my free time) paint furniture. I found that during slow months (like winter) this helps me with keeping a steady flow of income.
I love to paint, in fact I have been known to paint on just about everything, floors, walls, ceiling, etc.
I think the key to keeping my business going the last couple years was my Myspace page. I have sold quite a few furniture pieces along with being contracted by people all over the state, along with other states. I just spent the winter in Texas working because I was discovered by a interior designer out that way. It was a great experience and hope that my business continues to grow so I can travel and work for a living.
So some advice for those of you looking for a good, free outlet to advertise and maybe make some new networking connections, is to use Myspace to your advantage. It works great for me, but like anything else in life...you get back what you put in to it.
So thanks for this great forum and I'm looking forward to meeting some of you and growing as a painter/artist.
Best regards,
Duane
"Life isn't about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself"
