We never expect our biggest setbacks in life to end up being our greatest growth opportunities. But that’s exactly how it worked for artist and freelancer Lou Daprile.
Lou had worked hard to score an in-house design position in the cannabis industry, which was their dream job at the time. Unfortunately, this position ended in a layoff in 2023.
Not one to be discouraged, they sprang into action. An inquiry into unemployment resources led to coaching from Business Impact NW, which helped them get their new creative studio client-ready. Soon, they were getting scholarships to sell at Urban Craft Uprising shows and turning multiple passions into sustainable businesses.
The first challenge: Defining Lou’s business(es)
With ideas related to art, photography, marketing, and even dance, Lou needed some structure. Nothing was off the table, but it definitely wouldn’t make sense to lump all these ideas into a single business.
Darren Guyaz, Lou’s Business Impact NW coach, helped them categorize things into three buckets: 1) a design and photography business where Lou would take clients; 2) a fine art business where Lou would sell their cyanotypes at markets; and 3) a consulting business focused on removing gendered stereotypes and expectations from social dance.
These became, respectively: Lou Daprile Creative Studio, Blue Lou Art, and Degender Dance.
Darren’s support through this initial process was vital. “He helped me find clarity at a time when I had no idea what I wanted to do,” Lou says.
Darren saw that same clarity.
“Lou was such a pleasure to work with,” he says. “It’s uncommon for a client to have so many talents and ideas, and even more rare for them to have so much motivation and drive to make those ideas happen. Lou embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship in how they approach their businesses, and I am fully confident they will be successful. They have such a positive attitude and are impressively persistent.”
Getting client-ready and market-ready
Darren helped Lou complete the process of setting up their creative studio. This included devising sell sheets, determining what the services would be, and clearly communicating these services to prospective clients.
Darren “was great because he is a music professional,” says Lou. “He helped me set this up as a foundation that has continued to serve me.”
During this time, Lou also enrolled in Business Impact NW’s Market Ready Program. This program helps Washington State small business owners optimize their presence at markets and pop-up events. Lou learned what types of tents and tables they’d need to have, how to price their product, and how to deal with taxes.
Beyond just the informational component, however, Lou found great value in the connections they made through the program.
“When you’re an art vendor, it’s really important to have community.”
A market presence: From scholarships to self-funded
Through Business Impact NW, Lou found out about Urban Craft Uprising, which—as they put it—is “THE market in Seattle.” With such prestige, of course, comes high vending fees—high enough to prevent many newcomers like Lou from getting their foot in the door.
Luckily, these events have scholarships available, and Lou was able to do two scholarship shows (one in Edmonds, WA and one in Bend, OR). They also purchased a tent and tables with a stipend from Market Ready.
The experience doing these shows was pivotal.
“I’m leveling up so much faster, and my business is building way faster thanks to these markets!” Lou says. Now that “the training wheels are off,” Lou’s paid the vending fee themselves for an upcoming market in Port Townsend.
Exciting steps ahead with Degender Dance
As they get ready for the Port Townsend show, they’re also busy building their dance consulting business, launching its website, and getting ready to publish a handbook on gender equity in the ballroom.
“It’s all about teaching people how to not be so binary in their dance classes,” Lou explains, touching upon concepts like “everyone leads, everyone follows” (abbreviated ELEF).
Recategorizing life challenges as reasons to grow
As they watch their passions blossom into businesses, Lou sees their layoff—and the other difficulties they’ve faced in life—in rosier terms. “[Being laid off] was a good thing ultimately. I decided I never wanted to have a boss again, and I wanted to do all the things I’m passionate about.”
Even more surprisingly, they credit their disability for their success as a freelancer. “I became disabled a few years ago throughout this process, and it was very helpful to build a business in a way that could go on hold,” says Lou. “I only work when I’m able.”
In fact, as they look around at their fellow vendors, they see many people who live outside the typical 9-to-5 out of necessity. “A lot of people who are art market vendors are disabled, because we’re not healthy enough to do a day job … With my own business, I’m only moving when I’m sure I’m ready to move. I’m never pushing myself when I’m under-resourced.”
With a chuckle, they add:
“I’m basically living outside capitalism; I’m having a great time!”
Ready to get market-ready or explore funding for your business? Business Impact NW offers coaching, classes, and loan options to help you take the next step.
About the author
Robin Kallsen
Robin Kallsen is a Seattle-based freelance copywriter who crafts detailed, fun-to-read articles on market research, cybersecurity, and other topics. She’s also a musician who busks at Pike Place Market during the tourist season, playing bass while singing vintage jazz, blues, and French songs.