SPEAKER SERIES: FORMER STUDENT-MADE CREATOR, ARI BROCHIN
‘Ari Brochin shares her post-grad journey with the Golden canvas’
The ‘Student-Made Speaker Series’ aims to connect both our student founders, and managers with valuable ideas, resources, and inspiration for getting the most out of our program, that will hopefully last them far beyond college.
This February, Student-Made welcomed an exciting new guest to help fuel the inspiration within our community of young entrepreneurs, and their growing businesses– which may just have been the push needed to develop confidence in the viability of pursuing a passion beyond graduation.
So we couldn’t think of a guest more fitting for Speaker Series Pt. 1 than a former Student-Made Creator who has done just that.
Responding to the high demand she gained for her work as a result of quarantine, Ari Brochin became a part of Student-Made during her senior year of college, and soon went on to pursue her business, The Golden Canvas, full-time in Brooklyn, New York.
Not only did we get to hear much insight into the journey of a full-time artist entrepreneur, but our student Creators who stand now where Ari stood just a few years ago got to submit their questions of interest for Ari to answer.
Pt. 1: The Inspiration Behind Starting A Creative Business
Some questions submitted by Student-Made Creators & Managers…
“Where did your passion begin and when did you know it was time to turn it into a business?”
- Emily, Student-Made James Madison University
“At what point did you realize that pursuing your business full-time would be sustainable?”
- Shreya, Student-Made UNC Chapel Hill
“Was it a challenging transition from having your business in college, to now, with it being full-time post grad?”
- Natalie, Student-Made NC State University
From Ari:
“During quarantine, like many people did, I picked up a hobby once again. I just started painting, and posting pictures online. One of my friends asked if I could paint on sweatshirts and sweatpants for them, so I started posting more about that, and more people started reaching out and asking for that. And this spiraled into becoming a part-time business during my senior year of college. I was really trying to supplement babysitting with this small business, and I was honestly able to do even better than working another part-time job. So that was the lightbulb for me, that I had been doing a great job being my own boss and structuring myself the way that I work best. And that’s when I was like, I think I want to do this full-time.”
Pt. 2: Practical Steps Taken on the Road to Growth
“What actions do you think most helped you become successful in going full-time with your business?”
- Stella, Student-Made Marquette University
“What tips do you have for marketing or for finding work?”
- Rory, Student-Made NC State University
“What are your biggest tips for growing your income as a full-time artist?”
- From Natalie Bradin, Student-Made UNC Chapel Hill
From Ari:
“I would say networking is the best advice I would give. Networking is so, so, so important, and I learned that on my own just by reaching out to fellow creators and other creative people, going to events and putting myself in uncomfortable situations, and networking with people there. In college, finding other creators and joining Student-Made was so important, because every connection is meaningful and every connection is worth it.”
Pt. 3: Challenges to Overcome & Advice for Aspiring Creative Entrepreneurs
“Were there ever moments where it seemed like there was too much to handle, and if so, how did you get through those moments?”
- Samantha, Student-Made University of Vermont
“What has been the hardest part about pursuing your business full time?”
- From Grace, Student-Made NC State University
“What is the one thing you know now that you wished you had known when you first started your business?”
- From Sara Massey, Head of Finance at Student-Made
From Ari:
“Not knowing what to do is the hardest and scariest part. Genuinely having no idea how to be a full-time artist, because it’s obviously not just painting everyday– there’s so much more that goes into it. And figuring out how to monetize that passion, those are the biggest roadblocks that I had to mentally overcome. I had to really sit with myself and understand that there is no clear road path. Obviously there have been thousands of successful artists, but every single one has done it differently So it’s just about learning how you can do it, and how you can get better at it every single day.”
