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Nathanael and Anna Bailey of Bailey Builds.  

To greatly reduce the infinite number paths the story of Bailey Builds can take, let’s pretend the typical reader of this esteemed column is a person interested in building or expanding some sort of business. Let’s assume the rest are still interested in the process and the priceless gems/lessons I was able to dig up talking with Anna Bailey of Bailey Builds.

First to set the stage, Anna and Nathanael produce beautiful original “Modern Mosaics” and sell other kinds or works from other local artists. They have been in business for about seven years. Anna is an artist and former elementary school teacher and Nathanael used to manage an auto-body shop. They usually have at least two dogs hanging around their shop and claiming their rightful throne as the couch.

On their Facebook they explicitly mention that they love dogs coming to their shop and have photos of people posing with their pooches at the shop. Seeing this made them my instant heroes. 

Now with the lessons:

1) Be aware when you stumble over “YOUR DESTINY” [in Darth Vader’s Voice].

“So, I’ve always had a creative bent but I kind of fell into the word art,” Anna said.

To me, this is the most important lesson. It may not happen to everyone, but when your talents and desires cause you to move towards a desirable and attainable goal, it is great when you aren't so blind you miss it. Anna found her dream by using her wood skills for a more practical use in her garage.

“I was making furniture for our house and there was scrap wood on the ground and I didn’t want it to go to waste so I started to make artwork out of it,” said Anna.

2) Have multiple ways of selling your product. You’ve heard of the nuclear triad. Well, Bailey Build’s has a business sales triad—showroom, fairs and online. During the summer the Bailey’s sell artwork all over the country.

The Bailey’s are kind of like reverse squirrels in that they spend their winters storing up goodies to be used during the summer. I don’t even need to explain that online sales is a big part of any kind of business that produces a tangible item.

3) Develop your passions. “I’ve always been really creative though,” said Anna. “I’ve been a musician since I was six and I still actively play  often. I write a lot of music. I graduated with a degree in elementary education and a music degree. I taught 3rd grade and I also taught music for a few years.“

Note that developing your passions does take some work. Anna has done lots of formal and informal development of her talents over the years.

4) Sometimes, you have to focus on one thing. “I used to gig around town times a week,” Anna said. “I kind of have to focus all my creative energy on one thing.” Jim White of 1120 KMOX used to say “you can do anything but not everything.” But, Anna said she still writes music she doesn’t publicize. Maybe one day this is being stored up for future use.

5) Know the “Signature Piece” concept. Most of us know prints are made of original works and the $10.99 Rembrandt poster we bought at Walmart is a reproduction. Some of us (or maybe just me) don’t consider other pieces of art to be duplicated from a handmade piece that took a long time to make. Anna spends weeks putting together signature pieces which might sell for 3 to 10 thousand dollars. Then she takes a digital image of the piece and has duplicate pieces cut on a laser to later be adhered to the backer, after being painted. These pieces still have to be put together by hand. The concept could be used for other types of business.

Anna is obviously a hard-working person but it is good the signature piece process allows her to not be rushed and be calmly inspired, like sitting with a pipe and an easel outside Notre Dame.

(6) Make money but also use your business to make connections. When you have a business you might have already paid for some resources which can then be used for some other purposes. The Bailey’s are using their space to make money but also make connections. They have recently bought an old funeral home and are moving most of their business to the new building (while still planning on keeping the old building for events.)

“The top floor will be a shared studio for local artists.  The other building is so building is so beautiful we want to keep it for small events, said Anna”

These lessons may help you on the particular business or non-business road you are on, but mileage may vary.