SharkPod #67 ”Mixing Passion and Business, and Creating Art for the Masses” - Eoin O’Connor -Artist/Entrepreneur

What is up SharkNation!

Today Luke and Mark chat to one of Ireland's most successful arts of the past 2 decades - Eoin O'Connor (https://eoinoconnor.com), Artist/entrepreneur. 

You are probably familiar with Eoin's work if you  are living in Ireland as his paintings have been licensed by some of Ireland's most important retail chains. 

Luke and Mark chat to Eoin about his rise in the Irish art world and how he always had sustainability in mind when it came to earning a living through his art. 

This should be required listening for anyone serious about turning 'pro' as an Artist as it lays out the steps taken for Eoin's success, as well as a repeatable model other aspiring artists can follow. 

 

Key takeaways:

 

1. Start out to be a professional.  Eoin stated to sell his work as early as possible, going 'door to door' to retail outlets to get noticed.

2.  Think distribution. Where can your work we sold most effectively? In Eoin's case, this was national retail chains in Ireland.

3. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Eoin describes setting up for the first time at the Art showcase in the RDS and feeling nervous when he seen the other exhibitors. After selling out all of his paintings, he grew in confidence. 

4. Scale up. Eoin mentions his studio - his gallery and his business development relationships with national retails in Ireland. He mentions his hired staff that help him deliver on a huge amount of daily orders. 

5. Get online. Selling direct to consumer cuts out the middleman and allows you to bank a bigger margin. Eoin leverages Shopify and Facebook ads to reach is international audience and manages orders through his full time team. 

 

For more information on Eoin see:https://eoinoconnor.com/

Eoin's insta:https://www.instagram.com/eoinoconnorartist/

 

For feedback: Luke@shark.ie