Business Blog: Respecting Yourself As A Creative Business Owner
Throughout history creatives have supported survival, inspired others, and innovated with imagination and hope.
Others enjoy and borrow from our vision, wonder and our sense of play. We became multi-talented while adapting, producing and serving in our chosen skill.
Despite these wonderful things about us, we may stay small and negate our needs while creating and serving others. We may accidentally avoid the expansive inner work needed to get off someone else’s payroll, stand on our own two feet, and reach our dream projects.
Here are some boundaries for creative business owners to build with dignity and confidence so we can further explore and thrive in our fields:
1. "I can trust my skill and experience."
Proverbs 22:29: “Do you see a man skilful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”
You’ve accomplished more than the client might realise. Your skill and experience are part of what makes you relevant and trustworthy in providing your service and art, and it’s ok to set the tone for your worth and value.
2. "I can develop on my terms in creative business."
Proverbs 4:23: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
Luke 14:28 says, "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?"
Boundaries around values, policies, resources, costs, and artistic direction protect time, energy and resources set up your relationships for success. Clients may not realize the ways that their requests work against them or you. Stewarding your boundaries protects your heart, relationships and your mind.
3. "I can serve and lead at the same time."
Proverbs 10:9 – “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”
Psalm 78:72 – “And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skilful hands he led them.”
You’re the leader of your art, process and service; leading by serving well and serving by leading well. Clients can be demanding, expecting, overriding and assuming, but your grounded servant-leadership will balance needs and mutually benefit.
4. "I can honour and hold my ground."
“Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.” - Romans 13:7 NIV
Clients can unknowingly cross lines by degrading work that matches your portfolio or style, creating unpaid, out-of-scope labour, disregarding your copyright or contracts, or treating your creative agency as optional rather than part of why they hired you. It's hard to lead and serve well when it's uncomfortable, but dignity, confidence and long term partnerships can be built in that tension.
