“It’s important to not see yourself as an artist but as a brand and business”

What was your first job?

Straight out of high school I became an apprentice butcher. It wasn’t my “dream job” but it made sense at the time as I wasn’t too interested in school. I lasted three years before realising I dreaded every single morning of work. I soon left and became an apprentice sign-writer, which I completed and today am a qualified tradesman in.

What’s the best money advice you’ve ever received?

“Don’t take money too seriously; it doesn’t take you seriously.” Many of us are slaves to the dollar. We make life choices based on money and not with our moral compass when in reality if we simply change our perception and allow money to be a slave to us our entire world would change.

What’s the best investment decision you’ve made?

It was when I decided to finally listen to that voice within and take my life and health back into my own hands. Ten years ago I was diagnosed with an incurable chronic disease and was told I would never live a “normal” life. I couldn’t and wouldn’t accept that type of fate and label, so I decided to follow my heart, invest time in researching people who had my disease and not only overcame it but who were thriving in life. I reached out to them and began my self-healing process and invested everything I had in me.

What is your favourite thing to splurge on?

I don’t really splurge on too much. I do love luxury watches. But to be honest if I am splurging it would be in the health and wellbeing area, improving my overall quality of life.

If you had $10,000 where would you invest it?

Definitely within the arts. Perhaps find a community that I could invest in where an art therapy program or similar could help others. I often say “art heals” and it certainly saved my life, so investing in a community or similar to allow others to be saved by art and self-expression is a key area I would invest in.

What would you do if you had only $50 in your bank account?

I would be grateful as there are people in the world today who have nothing in their accounts. Remember, everything is personal perception. Sure, $50 isn’t a desirable amount of money to have in your account – it doesn’t get us too far these days. But with a changed perception, while replacing emotional thinking with calculated rational thoughts, you can soon turn that $50 into your comeback story.

Do you intend to leave an inheritance?

Someone once told me that if you raise your kids right you won’t need to leave an inheritance as they will be intelligent enough to generate their own wealth. I don’t have kids just yet so I guess I will have to wait and see if I do have children how well they are raised.

What’s the biggest money challenge artists face and how do you overcome it?

Generating a regular income as a full-time artist can be difficult unless you have a substantial brand within the market. Art takes time, inspiration and, of course, plenty of hours in front of the canvas. Artists are very creative individuals but sometimes lack the business knowledge to really amplify their brand and in turn earn regular income. I think it’s important from the get-go to not see yourself as an artist but as a brand and business. Find at least seven streams of income you can adapt your artistry to, team up with someone who is an expert in business and let them build your brand while you concentrate on your craft. It will take time to build but with careful planning and the right support network it will most certainly happen. I was fortunate enough to have a business background so I knew exactly in which direction I wanted to steer my ship.

Finish this sentence: money makes ...

... the world of opportunity a continuous growth path for whichever road you wish to travel.