Shop Talk: Sole Practitioners: Season 2 Episode 14
Dawn and Katie chat about running their studios as sole practitioners.
Both Oliveira Textiles and Katie Hutchison Studio are operated, respectively, as sole proprietorships. More specifically, both Dawn and Katie are sole practitioners — sole owners and sole workers in their enterprises.
For Dawn, the personal satisfaction of working independently has meant total control over the direction of her service as a textile designer. Every decision has had a direct impact on her business’ success.
She states: “As an independent artist/designer, I will take on only as many projects at once as I can handle, and, as a result, I give each project my full attention. Of course, clients are thrilled when deadlines and budgets are met but as a creative, satisfying my clients with a beautiful final product is the ultimate reward.”
Dawn notes that despite the risks and challenges involved, the freedom and choices of operating as a sole proprietor working as a sole practitioner is the best option for those willing to put in the work to make their business a success. It’s all about work/life balance.
Dawn in her studio in Bristol, RI (photo courtesy of Oliveira Textiles)
Along with good business acumen, here is Dawn’s short list of the required creative skills for success as a sole practitioner textile designer:
understanding of color, shape and form
knowledge of design related software
knowledge of texture, patterns, dyes, and fabric qualities
good communication, presentation, and negotiation skills
detail oriented
keeping up with new textile developments
Katie also finds working as a sole practitioner to be satisfying. She mentions in the podcast that one of the great rewards of such a practice is autonomy.
But, she notes, that doesn’t mean she or other sole practitioners are single-handedly creating projects. Successful projects are a collaboration. In the case of Katie’s practice, it involves collaborating with clients and consultants, like civil and structural engineers, landscape designers, lighting designers, and cabinet, furniture and textile designers, as well as other vendors, and, of course, general contractors and builders. In addition, both Dawn and Katie occasionally hire independent contractors/freelancers to assist with their studio projects as work flow requires.
Katie at a book talk in Warren, RI. (Katie’s home studio isn’t very photogenic.) (photo by Chris Hufstader)
Katie enjoys the variety of activities that being a sole practitioner entails. She lists (in no particular order) a few of the different hats she wears at Katie Hutchison Studio:
marketer/public relations spokesperson
web designer/content creator
business/billing administrator
business developer
client relations officer
team builder and collaborator
client representative
cost estimator
permitting consultant
project manager
creative director
designer
architect
Working with sole practitioners like Dawn or Katie means clients are working directly with the expert behind the brand who is typically aware of every aspect of their project. It’s win-win for client and sole practitioner.
