Suzanne Mouka
Artist Name: Suzanne Mouka
Based In: Toronto, ON
What inspired you to start your business?
I’ve always loved creating artwork, but recently the momentum has been very consistent and the feedback from my community was that I should start selling or posting my work. I had an Etsy store in the past, so that was an easy option to re-establish, and display my work.
How would you describe your business?
I’m a self taught artist, and was exposed to art / creative expression from an early age in childhood. Influenced by my artist mother and then siblings, as we all adopted our own creative outputs. I’ve always been especially attracted to color and color play / combinations, as well as visual layering effects and texture creation.
I’ve been painting and making artwork throughout my life, trying different mediums and various projects. For a while I sold some watercolor prints and also made Jewelry pendants with my artwork, which was sealed in resin to create one-of-a kind necklace pendants.
In recent years, I’ve found myself reaching for the brush more than ever before, and the momentum only speeds forward. At the start of 2022 I made a personal goal to paint every day and finish a painting each week. Its now become an obsession as I surpass my goal and It’s become clear to me, that this is a journey I need to be on.
I’m happy to share this journey with you, as I post some of my favorite pieces.
What do you love most about owning and running your business?
Putting myself out there was not easy for me, but it’s empowering to ‘own’, doing something you absolutely love.
Did you always know you’d follow this path or how has your journey as a maker/business owner progressed?
It’s just beginning! I’m looking forward to what comes next. I had sold some art prints in the past, but art prints are not the same as originals and producing high quality prints can be a costly overhead. I guess my approach on selling original work now, makes it a bit easier takes the guesswork out of that aspect of the business.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in business?
Do what you love to do for yourself first. Etsy is great place to put yourself out there at a reasonably low cost. There are a lot of useful tools you can utilize to see what the general traffic and feedback is on your work. Use that data to grow your brand.
What would you say is the #1 thing it takes to be successful with owning and running an online business?
Right now I think it’s about creating consistently for me, and then lot’s of patience.
You’ll also be interested in: