NEST 2.0 - The Artist Agency:

Years in the handmade industry has shown me that artists and makers often stall their own growth or give up completely as they try to navigate the hurdles of developing their business. Aspects of branding, market positioning, online presence, advertising, and finding and negotiating with retailers are not always their strengths. And equally for those shop owners, finding unique makers and navigating a relationship with them can be inconsistent or difficult. I have been on both sides of this table and can understand the pain points of both – and I have a solution.

Now imagine if those new artists had a support system based on their needs, such as coaching, business development, advocacy and placement – this would ensure their steady progress and success. And on the other side of this equation, the participating shop owners have an easier workload as I bring and manage vetted and proven makers to their stores, and facilitate orders and communication. Pain points on both sides are resolved.

My job is to represent artists and makers; to assess their needs and goals, and use my years of experience, resources, and industry networks for their success. I get them into shops, onto shelves and secure sales for them. I perform all the footwork and heavy lifting: I coach, negotiate and facilitate orders to generate sales. I have databases of all kinds of resources to share with my clients.

At its core, this business model is a brokerage or agency for artists. I handle the difficult tasks and leverage my connections and experience for their growth and success. I collect a portion of the sales I generate. I also offer tiered packages for a one-time purchase; one geared towards new, emerging artists that need coaching and business development, and one for emerging artists that just want representation and placement.

There are a lot more details, but I won’t bore you with that here – sign up to stay in the loop and get more info!

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Christmas Cards - by Mel

Christmas Cards - by Mel

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