I've been selling my art online for over 10 years now, which is kind of crazy to say.

Over that time, I've tried a lot of different things. I've sold on Etsy, uploaded my work to multiple print-on-demand platforms, designed greeting cards and patterns, created digital products, taught online classes, made YouTube videos, and experimented with more ideas than I can remember.

Some things worked. Some didn't. Some worked for a while and then eventually faded away.

I'm still learning, but these are some of the biggest lessons I've picked up along the way.

1. It's more lonely than people realize

Running a creative business can be surprisingly lonely.

Friends and family can be supportive, but they don't always understand what you're actually doing. Most people aren't going to care about your business as much as you do, and that's normal.

I've found it really helpful to connect with other creative people who understand the ups and downs of trying to make something of your own.

You don't need everyone to understand. You just need a few people who do.

2. It's okay to change your mind

Things change constantly online. Platforms change, algorithms change, technology changes, and what people want changes.

You are allowed to change too.

I've stopped doing things I used to think would be a permanent part of my business, and I've tried new things that I never expected to.

Changing direction doesn't mean you've failed. Sometimes it just means you've grown.

3. Never stop learning

Being an artist doesn't mean you only have to learn about art.

Over the years I've had to learn marketing, SEO, web design, social media, photography, video editing, new software, new platforms, and now AI and all the other technology that keeps popping up.

You don't need to master everything, but being willing to learn new things has been a huge part of keeping my business moving forward.

4. Don't let fear stop you from showing up

Fear can keep you from doing almost everything that could help your business grow.

You might worry about people judging your work, looking awkward online, nobody caring, or someone stealing your art.

I've experienced all of those things.

But if you never put your work out there because you're afraid of what might happen, you're also making it pretty hard for people to find you.

Not every post will do well. Not every product will sell. Someone might copy you or your art could get stolen.

It happens.

Don't let fear make decisions for you.

5. Your art is an asset

After 10+ years, I have a lot of artwork.

It's easy to look at an old design and think it's finished, but I've learned to look at my work differently.

A piece of art can become a greeting card, a digital product, a printable, a tutorial, a collection, or even just inspiration for something completely new.

You don't always need to make something from scratch.

Sometimes the better question is, “What else can I do with what I've already made?”

6. You might not be able to quit your day job, and that's okay

The internet loves a good “I quit my 9-to-5 and now make six figures from my art” story.

It's inspiring, but it's not realistic for everyone.

Creative businesses can take years to grow, and income can be unpredictable. Having a regular job while building your business doesn't mean you're not serious about it.

In fact, it can give you the financial breathing room to experiment without putting everything on the line.

If you eventually want to quit your job and your business can support you, that's amazing.

But you don't have to quit your job to prove that you're a real creative entrepreneur.

7. Consistency matters more than motivation

Motivation comes and goes.

Some days you're excited to work on your business. Other days you'd rather be doing almost anything else.

What matters is continuing to show up anyway.

Most of the progress I've made over the years hasn't come from big breakthroughs. It's come from consistently taking small steps forward. One more design. One more blog post. One more product.

Looking back, I don't think I've succeeded because I was the most talented or motivated person in the room. I think I've succeeded because I kept going.

8. You have to try things that might not work

I've tried plenty of things that didn't work, and that's all part of it.

Sometimes you can research something forever, but you won't really know if it's right for you until you try it.

A product might flop. A platform might go nowhere. An idea you were excited about might turn out to be a terrible fit.

That's okay.

Sometimes the lesson is simply, “Well, I'm never doing that again.”

Not everything is going to work for you.

9. Take care of your mental and physical health

It's really easy to let a creative business take over your life, especially when you enjoy what you're doing.

There's always another project, product, video, or idea.

But taking care of yourself isn't time away from your business. It's part of building something you can actually sustain.

Exercise, sleep, getting outside, taking breaks, spending time with people you love, and having a life outside of work all matter. Trust me, I know from experience.

You don't have to burn yourself out to prove you're committed, and burnout isn't exactly great for creativity either.

10. There is no one right way to build a creative business

After more than 10 years, I think this is probably the biggest lesson I've learned.

You don't have to quit your day job and make six figures.

You don't need 100,000 followers or to be on every social media platform.

You don't need a huge team.

But you do get to figure out what works for you.

Your business can change as you change. You can try new things, stop doing things, learn new skills, and take your business in a completely different direction if you want to.

That's not failure. That's just being a creative business owner.

I'm still figuring things out after 10+ years, and honestly, I think that's okay.

There's no finish line. I'm just happy to still be here, still making things, and still learning.

Want more lessons from my creative business journey?

I'm still learning and experimenting, and I'll be sharing more of it here. If you'd like to follow along, you can sign up for my newsletter for new blog posts, creative inspiration, and behind-the-scenes looks at my business.