Business Resources: For the Skeptical Artist

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Artist Survival Kit workshop participants
learning business strategies

Earlieron the blog I introduced the importance of small business resources forartists. I promised to summarize some of the helpful resources available inOklahoma. 
Today, I write to the skeptical artists who do not seehow their artwork can fit with normal business plans or don’t see the value inaligning with organizations like chambers of commerce.   Later, I will offer resources for artistswho already understand their artistic practice as a business (and maybe someskeptics will be swayed).
Perhaps you are wondering, “why do I need to know about standard business strategies?"
Basically, thousands of business experts have worked formany years to outline making a business succeed.  Many have devoted lots of brain power andtrial and error to define best practices. Many have worked to improve makingbusinesses profitable.
Why duplicate allthe effort and make the same mistakes when all this work has already beendone for us? Knowledgeable specialists share many of their tips with us for free!

Artist Survival Kit workshop participants Sharon Webster
& Romy Owens learning business strategies

If that doesn’t convince you, certainly you do not wantto break the law. Ignorance is not adefense if you neglect to follow tax law, insurance requirements and function wellas a legal entity.  You can talk toanyone who has been audited over problems gathering sales tax or sued over abreach of contract to know that it is worth learning the basics for yourbusiness.
For the bare bones facts, check out the checklist fromthe Department of Commerce for startup businesses.  They give simple information about businessstructure (sole proprietor, S-corp, etc.), licensing and more. 
See here for free workshops by the Oklahoma Tax Commission about business taxes. Also, you can save money as a reseller with a sales tax permit if you buy supplies to make your art that you will later sell (and charge sales tax). 

The Departmentof Commerce also offers tips for expanding your existing business.

With a few steps and strategies, your small artistic business can be at the least legit and possibly on the road to profit.