Taking Care of Business

No matter how you make your money, certain realities apply. There are taxes to be paid, books to be kept, and occasionally even lawyers to be retained. Depending on your type of income, you may need to create a business entity such as a subchapter S corporation or limited liability company (LLC). There will also be a bit of red tape to navigate, such as business licenses and other governmental adventures.

Addressing the day-to-day details of running a business can be tedious for anyone. It’s especially difficult for those of the artistic mindset, who would prefer to be daydreaming about their latest creations. However, make no mistake: the effort you put into keeping your affairs in order will pay for itself many times over when you find yourself living an uncomplicated, well-managed, and relatively stress-free life.

The mark of a true professional is someone who takes care of business and keeps his house in order. You probably already know that the business world views creative people as flaky, irresponsible, and undependable. When your affairs are orderly and well managed, you get more than the peace of mind that comes from having your life under control. You’re seen by the industry as a serious player, someone who’s both talented and worth doing business with.

When you’re making a living with your art, having a solid reputation will get you work. In a very real sense, it’s currency you can spend.