Close Up with Artists & Designer Nick Guy Munro from LIX CLOTHING

Nick Guy Munro

Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.

Well, I love design. I love music and I love culture. A Love In Xtreme of all mentioned.

I started designing a t-shirt brand back in 2002 called LIX CLOTHING. Everything for the brand was done from scratch. Designs, screen printing, website, marketing and sales representation. I’m now looking to supply the LIX CLOTHING design range to the retail market. That’s it in a nutshell.

Who (or what) inspires you to do what you love in your own creative business?
Interesting people inspire me. So does colour.

Where do you get your inspiration from when you design/paint?
I get inspiration to design ideas from music and culture. Also some of my zany friends aren’t short of a few good ideas. How do I attract these people into my life?

LIX CLOTHING Copyright

What are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you?
Creative, Hilarious, Genuine, Persistent, Loyal

Tell us about your very first job and what path have you taken since then?
You mean my very, very first job?

My first job was a Woolworth’s trolley guy at the age of 17. This job basically supported my artistic pursuits through high school and University studies. I went from trolley guy to bottle shop guy and not as an overnight success.

After graduating with a BA Design from UWS Nepean in 1998, I worked under contract assisting in the creation of Sites & Scenes CD-ROM digital and print for the NSW Department of Education.

Recently I had worked at CHOICE Magazine for nearly 2 years as a Web/Multimedia designer.

Describe a typical day in your studio space?
A typical day in the LIX Hollywood Mansion would be printing orders on my retro kitchen table. These days it’s basically work organised on a laptop, talking between wholesale clothing suppliers, screen printers and couriers. Sales representation the product to potential retail customers, website design and maintenance. Yes design ideas are always cooking here at LIX.

Working on LIX design

LIX CLOTHING Copyright

As an Artist, what is your biggest frustration?
Coming up with the creative flow with a new season of LIX. I find if I think too much about what will sell and what wont, it kind of makes me claustrophobic and hesitant. Go with the flow is what I know.

Tell us about how you prioritise your studio work.
At the moment the carousel arms aren’t swinging and the squeegee ain’t squeegee-en. I’ve gone into enterprise mode re LIX. Nuts and bolts on how the enterprise is to commercialise itself for retail land. Most of the time I’m on the trusty ole laptop these days juggling the business side of things with the creative design elements. A balance is required.

Since you are working at home, can you please tell us about how do you connect with other artists, and your customers (i.e. how do you network)?
Facebook and Twitter. Dig the idea of social networking. I’ve hooked up some of the best people in my life and from my life on these platforms. Twitter I have a lot of fun with. http://www.twitter.com/lixclothing

LIX CLOTHING Copyright

What advice can you offer other creative people who are just starting out and following their passions?
Catch your dreams, no matter how far you have to reach. Your dreams will be a reality. You only live once.

What dreams do you still want to achieve or fulfil in your life?
Nothing to fancy. I dream about a RED Mercedes like this one. http://oldcar.star.md/the-beautiful-1971-mercedes-benz-280-se-sedan/

What is your proudest moment so far?
Proudest moment has been placing fate into the idea by way of a business plan to secure LIX CLOTHING’s future.

LIX CLOTHING Copyright

Receiving the opportunity via a NAB Micro Enterprise Loan and NEIS grant through my own merits. Seeing how far the idea of the brand could be pushed and thus far winning. A total facing up to the fears and realising they will be conquered.

Who do you most want to meet and why?
The people I’ve mostly wanted to meet are all past away. Picasso, Brett Whiteley, John Lee Hooker. If it was an alive dude, I’d say Dare Jennings the creator of MAMBO. Love to rack his brain over a double industrial coffee one day.

What is the most important lesson in life that you have learned?
Sitting back and letting things happen is not always the key. Live like crazy in this moment as it might be your last. Most of all Stay on the good foot.

LIX CLOTHING Copyright

What book are you reading right now, and do you have a book you would like to recommend?
Looking at a record keeping book. Such fun! I recommend the MAMBO Art Irritates Life. The years of a great Aussie brand of Dare Jennings that lived in the 80’s and 90’s. http://www.australianartbooks.com.au/books/products/mambo_art_irritates_life

Where do we find you and your products? (list stores & links, websites )
You will be able to find LIX® CLOTHING in retail stores around NSW this coming Spring and Summer season. Check the www.lix.com.au website for all current stockists.

Also check lix clothing out:
Website:
http://www.lix.com.au/

Social Media:
www.twitter.com/lixclothing
www.facebook.com/lixclothing

Inspirational Quote of The Week!

"I Dream My Paint And Then I Paint My Dream"

- Vincent Van Gogh

Close Up with Rick Chen from Pozzible- Crowdfunding

 Rick Chen

Co Founder of FundBreak

Tell us a little about yourself and your role at FundBreak?

I am a young entrepreneur, a new media designer and the co-founder of the crowdfunding platform FundBreak. I hold a Master of Design in Digital Media from University of Sydney. I'vegained more than five years experience in digital media design specialising in web and new media. My interests include social media technology, new generation enterprise and online social innovation.


What are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you?
Outgoing, Creative, Hard working, Fun and Active


Tell us about FundBreak and what you can do to help artists, designers, and the creative community?

Fundbreak is a new crowdfunding platform and community for creative projects and ideas. Developed for artists, musicians, filmmakers, journalists, designers, entrepreneurs, inventors, event organisers, software developers and anyone with a creative idea to raise funds, engage fans and reward supporters.

What was the purpose for starting a crowd funding business like FundBreak, and how has the concept come about?

Last year I had the opportunity to work on a project with a number of visual artists in Australia and learned quite a lot about the creative industry. It became obvious that a large number of artists in Australia were struggling financially. At this time we spotted an art project in Europe that successfully used the power of the crowd to raise capital and get things moving. This lead us to setting up an Australian platform to raise funds for the creative industry. In effect, FundBreak provides the creative industry an alternative funding source and a tool to engage the fans, friends, family and community. Due to the explosive growth of social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter, it has become much easier and convenient for creative individuals, groups and organisations to involve an audience and independently sell or promote projects.

FundBreak Snapshot

FundBreak Copyrights

Tell us how FundBreak works.

Anyone with a project or idea can post a project on the FundBreak platform. The project creator must set a funding goal, a deadline to raise the funds (currently a maximum 50 days) and at leastone reward. A reward is a tangible or intangible perk you offer in return for the support you receive.Support usually comes from your fan base, friends, family, social networks and strangers that simply like your project. If the project reaches (or exceeds) its funding goal before the deadline, all the funds will transferred directly to the project creator. Otherwise, the funds raised are returned to the supporters. This is the all or nothing concept of crowdfunding.

What are the most common issues that you see related to crowd funding?
Since crowdfunding is a relatively new concept, project creators need to understand the keys to success. The act of crowdfunding is an effort and requires commitment and dedication to succeed. Sending an email to your mailing list and hoping that people will flock to fully fund your project on day one very rarely happens. Successful crowdfunded projects will provide project updates, show appreciation, spread the word through the social networking websites, engage supporters and show passion and determination to make the project happen.

What should artists, designers, and the creative community think about when considering crowdfunding?
Project creators should consider the minimum funding goal required to get the project started and offer rewards that are appealing. Every project creators should ask themselves, would I support this project?

From start to finish, how long would it generally take to complete a crowd funding campaign?
This varies from project to project. Currently, the maximum number of days a project can run is 50 days. We've had project reach its funding goal in 2 days but it really depends on the effort put in.
 

What advice can you offer to creative businesses who are seeking crowd funding support ?
Plan you project well and get input from the people around you. Offer great rewards and be prepared to fully commit yourself to the project. There are heaps of advice and articles available on the subject of crowdfunding – pay ahead to tips from successful projects and sometimes more importantly from people who have been unsuccessful.

Tell us about your process for working with clients?
FundBreak currently works on an invitation basis. A project creator is required to submit a simple project proposal to obtain an invitation code. We use this for quality purposes and to ensure the project complies with Australian law. We provide project creators an online form to submit the project. Once submitted, its available to receive funding immediately. We provide a helpful guide and checklist to get you started. Also, every Monday and Thursday project creators receive a campaign update with some tips and advice. Once the project meets its deadline, if the project has met its funding goal the funds raised are transferred directly to the project creator minus the transaction and service fees. If the project has not met its funding goal, the funds are returned to the supporters.

Do you have a book that you would like to recommend?
This is difficult. I eagerly await a new book to be released this month called “What's mine is yours – the rise of collaborative consumption“ by Rachel Botsman & Roo Rogers.

Where do we find you and your services?  

Our office is located at 525 Harris Street Ultimo 2007 NSW, or simply go to our website

http://www.fundbreak.com.au/

rick@fundbreak.com.au

Quantum Compass- Small Business September Workshop Update

Well, what a fantastic start for Small Business September events hosted by Quantum Compass & ArtSHINE.


We had a fantastic turn out for Saturday's CoWorking event despite the rain.

Plus it was a full house with 23 people attending last night's Transition to Self Employment workshop.

Transition to Self Employment workshop.

Thanks everyone for coming along... and thanks too for spreading the word about these workshops with family friends & associates...

This coming Saturday we've both our main workshops happening again… All Free… And all open to everyone...

* Cash Flow Concepts for Creative Professionals,

* Transition from Full Time Employment to Self Employment,


Transition from Full Time Employment to Self Employment

Free of Charge RSVP essential

Are you: Working full time but not sure for how much longer?

Wondering how to turn your passion, hobby, or skills into real income?

Ready to be your own boss but not quite sure where's the best place to start?

Then come along & find out how...

Sat 11 Sep 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Book here: http://bit.ly/bJUZ5M

Sat 25 Sep 10:00 AM - 12 Noon Book here: http://bit.ly/cQir1d

Thu 30 Sep 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Book here: http://bit.ly/9Npqix


Cash Flow Concepts for Creative Professionals

Free of Charge RSVP essential

Cash Flow - The life blood of any business.

Discover the seven key steps to ensuring the cash flows in your creative art & design practice…

Thu 9 Sep 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Book here: http://bit.ly/b5G03D

Sat 11 Sep 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Book here: http://bit.ly/95djbL

Sat 25 Sep 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Book here: http://bit.ly/9gHBuG

Tue 28 Sep 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Book here: http://bit.ly/aW8VIK

More info about us:

Quantum Compass: http://www.quantumcompass.com.au/

Vinh Van Lam & Stuart Horrex at Quantum Compass Coaching - a boutique business coaching practice based in Sydney, Australia work with a select group of clients:

• Established Entrepreneurs & Social Entreprenurs: Small business owner/operators ready to take their business to the next level and ensure better cash flows, more time, and a more secure financial future…

and

• People currently employed Full Time, but planning a Transition into Self Employment.


ArtSHINE: http://www.artshine.com.au/

Quantum Compass has initiated the ArtSHINE project; a specialised coaching program for artists, artisans, crafters, designers, fashion labels, and all professionals working in the creative communities.

Working extensively with clients, and also drawing upon the knowledge of experienced industry professionals, Quantum Compass has worked to create and develop the ArtSHINE program as part of our commitment to support the development of business and entrepreneurial skills of Australian artists, artisans, and associated creative communities.

Coaching and creating a sustainable Business LifeStyle

As a creative design professional it’s always hard keeping up with creating and making, let alone finding the time to devote to sales, marketing, systems development, and planning. All that while working in, and operating, your creative design practice... all day... every day!

As the world of design moves faster and faster, becoming ever more demanding and competitive... Having a coach is no longer a luxury... It’s fast becoming a necessity!

Elite athletes have a coach. And now, in this difficult and demanding time for creative professionals around Australia and around the world, it’s our turn o to have a “business coach” too.

A sporting coach will work with an athlete in establishing training routines and developing habits that mean that the athlete can achieve optimum performance. A sporting coach provides support, motivation, and encouragement. A sporting coach is there when the athlete starts the training day, and is there when the athlete runs across that finish line.

It’s the coach that works with the athlete on the big picture. Works with the athlete on strategies that the athlete needs to earn a place on the winner’s podium. It’s the coach that works with the athlete to keep them going when energies are low and the hurdles seem to high.

In the same way as a sporting coach will work with an elite athlete, a coach will work with you and walk alongside you as together we create a sustainable business that supports you in your enterprise... Thus creating what we call a “Business LifeStyle”.

Here at Quantum Compass we’re not about growth for growth’s sake. We’re not advocates for “Work / Life Balance”. In fact, it’s just the opposite! For us it’s about getting better, not getting bigger. For us it’s about creating a “whole of life”, or “portfolio” approach to work. It’s about creating a Business LifeStyle, and designing a sustainable creative design practice that supports you in life and, supports you in work as well.

Quantum Compass is a boutique coaching practice based in Sydney, Australia. Quantum Compass provides business coaching, mentoring, business advisory, & new enterprise facilitation. Our coach partners and associate catalysts have decades of hands on, real world experience to share.

Want to learn more about how coaching can work for you?

It’s as simple as 1... 2... 3...

1: Like  ArtSHINE's Facebook page

2: Come along to the ArtSHINE workshops in Sydney: http://quantumcompass.eventbrite.com

3: Contact Vinh for a no cost, no obligation coaching session on 8060 9321, or 0410 636 138. Click here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ArtShineDiscovery

Close Up with Artist Anna Reynolds

Artist- Anna Reyolds

 the world of awesome atrocities 2010 digital image

Anna Reynolds Copyright

Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.

My name is Anna Reynolds I am 40 years old I have a 4 year old son and a partner of 11 years. I live in Batchelor (south of Darwin) and work from home. I have being making art all my life and in the last 3-4 years have started to feel like its all coming together for me. I went back to Uni to get ‘the paper’ I needed to move forward in an employment sense and finished up with a first class honours degree in fine art. Whilst I was at Uni I made a lot of art which led to a number of well received exhibitions. There is still much to learn and discover.

Who (or what) inspires you to do what you love in your own creative business?

Absolutely everything influences me good and bad, so the trick for me is to keep good energy around me, to create a place where art making is possible, to balance life with work

Where do you get your inspiration from when you design/paint?

All the beautiful world

 Awesome Atrocity1

Anna Reynolds Copyright 

What are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you?

Fun, Out-there, Integrity, cheeky, big

Tell us about your very first job and what path have you taken since then?

My first job, my very first job I used to kill snails for mum for 1 cent for 2 snails , I’d spend all day picking them out of the garden filling up an ice-cream container and pouring salt on them to kill them. YUK! , I still love gardening today but its more of an accomplice to when I make art, I often wander from garden to studio all day and sometimes into the night

Art Exhibition at Charles Darwin University, Arts building
Anna Reynolds Copyright

Describe a typical day in your studio space?

My studio is more of a metaphorical state of mind ‘Art making’ happens in every corner of my home, garden, life and can happen at any time of day or night. Usually it has to involve my 4 year old son.

As a solo artist, what is your biggest frustration?

Missing opportunities

Tell us about how you prioritise your studio work.

Lists, lots and lots of lists

Since you are working at home/studio, can you please tell us about how do you connect with other artists, and your customers (i.e. how do you network)?

Not only am I working from home I am also living one of the wonderful remote locations in the Northern Territory, most days this is a blessing, but occasionally it gets me down, when this happens I turn to the phone, facebook, sykpe or my garden. I am on the board at DVAA (http://www.dvaa.net.au/galleries.php) and have occasional project work with communities and schools. This is always a great way to meet people.

Awesome Atrocity 2

Anna Reynolds Copyright 

Tell me how do you manage Study and working on your business?

Time organization , hard work and being a little bit obsessive

What advice can you offer other creative people who are just starting out and following their passions?

Don’t let anybody stop you

What dreams do you still want to achieve or fulfil in your life?

Balancing being a mum with lifes challenges whilst making art that is fulfilling

 

 Awesome Atrocity 3

Anna Reynolds Copyright 

 What is your proudest moment so far?

Being a mum

Who do you most want to meet and why?

Id love to meet Cyndi Lauper because . . . why? I’m from the 80’s

What is the most important lesson in life that you have learned?

Too many to list, focus on the positive is a good one!

 

Convention centre

Anna Reynolds Copyright 

 What book are you reading right now, and do you have a book you would like to recommend?

Not big on reading one book at a time or from cover to cover, Love three or four books on one topic to get the idea of something , postmodernism is this weeks/months thing

Where do we find you and your product? (list stores, links websites)

http://www.artistannareynolds.com/
http://nomadart.com.au/results.php
http://www.blurb.com/user/annareynolds
http://www.blurb.com/books/527314

Cash Flow Concepts for Creative Professionals

Hosted By: Quantum Compass
09 Sep 2010 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Doors open 09 Sep 2010 7:00 PM
284 Harris Street Pyrmont, 2009
Region: Sydney - Metro

Theme: Sales and Marketing, Business Planning, Finance
Type: Workshop, Seminar, Networking

Maximum attendees: 24

This event is free of charge.

Cash Flow - The life blood of any business. Discover the 7 key steps to ensuring the cash flows in your creative art & design practice.

As part of a small group in an informal workshop environment you can take the time you need to explore how the cash flows in your creative art / design practice.

With real world examples and direct indusrty experience we'll explore the ways your can measure, assess, and create cash flows in your business.

While this workshop is relevant to all established businesses, the focus is on creative industry professionals (artists, graphic design, interior design/decorators, fashion, textile, jewellers, etc)

Other Event Instructions

There's street parking available in the area, and parking at Star City, or the Sydney Convention Centre/Exhibition Centre is also available.

All materials will be provided; but remember to bring your business cards.

Contact

Contact: Stuart Horrex

Phone: 02 8060 9231
Mobile: 0424 136 138

Email: stuart@quantumcompass.com.au