You win some, you lose some

Last week I lost a £5k pitch! For those of you who didn’t see my reel on IG, I’ll quickly bring you up to speed.

I was asked by a well-known brand, to come on board to re-design a space that needed updating, to then project manage the fit-out (I was an interior designer and project manager before painting murals!), and then to paint a cool mural. I was honoured and excited about this opportunity.

Phase one – I made numerous site visits to take measurements of the space and had meetings with the team as well as the Directors. I facilitated trade site visits to get estimates and quotes from various people to help complete the work. I then created a pitch deck, 3D visuals, and moodboards and presented this back to the board for approval. All went well the budget was approved, and the project was given the go-ahead. I was paid for phase one, and all was good!

Interior concepts by me. *Images from Pinterest

Positive conversations continued to happen and based on how well phase one had gone, I assumed (wrongly in this instance) that all was ready for phase two. Out of the blue, I received a phone call to say that the project was going ahead, but they felt they could manage the fit-out internally and therefore did not need my PM services for phase two. However, they did want me to come back on board towards the end to assist with purchasing the finishing touches, address the interior design aspect dress the space, as well as complete the mural. We agreed this would be on a day rate.

Furnishing proposal by me. *Images from Pinterest

Obviously, I was disappointed that the main chunk of work was now not happening, but at least I could still be involved in the final stage of painting the mural, and seeing my designs come to life, after all, I’d spent days/weeks designing the new space.

Then, last week I got a ‘dear john’ email stating that things had changed regarding the refurb and once again my services (and now the mural) were no longer required. This was another blow because not only was I now not part of any of the projects, but the mural wasn’t happening either. This was frustrating as I had planned to do a collaboration with Tee2Sugars on this 17m2 mural, and had to let him down.

“Hen wlad fy Nhadau” Eisteddfod Mural. - Artist Tee2Sugars

As you can imagine I was gutted. Gutted that I’d put in so much time and effort (yes, I know I got paid for that part) but my point is, when you think everything is on track, and going well, conversations are heading in the right direction, it’s a MASSIVE disappoint to have the rug pulled from under you.

Not only was I disappointed that I wouldn’t get to see the completed design, or add it to my portfolio, but I lost out on a large amount of money! Which, quite frankly, to a start-up small business owner, can be hugely detrimental. I had (again wrongly) put my mural projects on hold to focus on this, meaning I had no hot leads ready and waiting to now fill the 2-month void I faced. (massive learning curve for me there!)

As a small business owner, it’s hard to spin all the plates at once. Find new clients, do your outreach, be active on socials, keep on top of admin, network, design those mock-ups, and actually paint murals…as well as have a life! I’m not complaining at all, I LOVE what I do, however, my point is, alongside all the above, when you lose a potential project/mural it feels like you’ve lost your momentum, and you have to start all over again. I for one, don’t yet have a waiting list of people begging for my murals, so I’m constantly having to hustle to find my next job. I’m sure other artists feel the same or did at some point in their careers.

I’ve only been at this full-time artist malarky for approximately 6 months, so I’m fully aware I’m very, very early days in terms of growth, however, it’s tough. Losing this big project was a big setback and a kick in the teeth. It’s disheartening when clients let you down, in any industry I’m sure, so I need to find a better way of coping with this as it certainly won’t be the last time I lose a job!

After my reel on IG, I was flooded with kind comments, well wishes, DMs, and texts from fellow artists. Some I’ve not even met, and it was so lovely. Hearing stories from others about how they too had experienced similar if not identical situations in their careers, how unfortunately it’s part of the journey of being a freelance artist. Strangely, it was a comfort to know I wasn’t the only one who’d been binned off before. The fact that other, far more established artists than me, and decades into their careers had also been let down like that, was a bit of a relief. It helped make it not so personal. Which is exactly where my mind went when I received the email.

“What did I do wrong?”

“Why didn’t they want to work with me”

“Should I have done more/better” – all the questions that go through your head! (usually at 2am!)

My conclusion in all of this is, like everything in life, there will be the good, the bad, the ugly! The highs, the lows, the wins, the losses. As the saying goes, “When one door closes, another door opens”. (If it doesn’t, you kick the bloody door down!) Regardless, I am taking this as a sign it wasn’t the project for me, and it’s just making way for something more aligned with me and my business. I’ve put my positive pants back on, and I’m not dwelling over it anymore, I just wanted to acknowledge that sh*t happens, and we sometimes need to just accept it, learn from it and move on.

So, I made a brew, ate a lot of chocolate biscuits, and went back to my to-do list. Tomorrow is a new day and a new opportunity to paint a mural!

*image from Pinterest

Catch you next week,

Kate & Norm x