The Evolution of My Mural Business – Celebrating 10 Years of Alli K Design (!)
It is SO hard to believe, but I recently celebrated 10 years of Alli K Design! Even though AKD didn’t originally start out as a mural business, I’m so proud of what it has become today. I’ve definitely learned my fair share of things over the years, but it feels pretty amazing to have built (and sustained!) a successful art business for so long now. If you’ve started an art or mural business of your own, hopefully this post will bring you some inspiration!
The Origins of This Mural Business
Believe it or not, I didn’t actually plan on starting a business. When I graduated college, I was unsuccessful at finding a corporate job. Around that time I also started painting a lot on canvases and globes, and soon friends and family started asking if they could pay me for my work.
At that time art business wasn’t really a thing. Even though I’d always loved art, I grew up learning the starving artist mentality. We were taught that art was just a hobby, not a successful job, and that it was more important to think about things like insurance, 401k options, and other safe aspects of a “typical” career.
But I knew that I could be on to something, so I told my husband, “Give me 6 months, and I think I can turn this into a job.” I was determined to prove that I could do it and be successful, and that is exactly what I did!
More importantly though, beyond my own personal success, over the past 10 years, I’ve been trying to pave the way and set an example for new artists that art CAN be a successful career.
10 Years of Alli K Design
It has definitely been a wild ride over the last 10 years. I really can’t believe it has been that long, it feels like just yesterday that I was deciding to start! From those painted globes, and then wedding invitations, then to products, murals, fabric design, and books – it’s been incredible.
Some of my favorite moments have been the Saturday mornings I get to spend recording the Breakfast with Sis Podcast with my dad, and when I got to retire my husband Landon from his corporate job with Amazon to work with me. There have been some true pinch-me moments along the way too, like just recently getting to see my book for sale at Target (!!). But overall it has been the support of my family, friends, and community that has kept me going, I’m so thankful 🖤. And you know of course I had to throw a party to celebrate with everyone!
The Biggest Lessons I’ve Learned in My Mural Business
Over the years I’ve learned so many lessons. But one thing that has been really resonating lately as I look back on the past 10 years is that while it’s important as an artist to work to maintain your voice and point of view in your work, we also need to take ourselves out of our comfort zones in order to grow. We all know the phrase “fake it ‘til you make it,” but instead I like to think of it as saving yes to something new or difficult, and figuring it out as you go. That is something I’ve always tried to do, and it’s what has helped me branch out into so many different things like new murals, products, and launching my books.
I also believe that I’ve gotten as far as I have because of the power of mentorship. Having someone to lean on for business advice and to talk things through with has been one of the biggest things for me. That’s why I’m so passionate about returning the favor to artists or other creatives who are newer in their businesses.
If you’re curious about how mentorship can work for your business, I’d love to hear from you!
