The Right Time
Page Eastburn O’Rourke found New Ventures Maine (NVME) at the right time for herself and her business, Page’s Paintings.
“I paint vibrant Maine landscapes and was feeling anything but vibrant. It was August 2015, and my son Griffin and I were at an outdoor art show. We were sweltering in my booth hoping to sell some paintings on the hottest day of the year. The hoped-for crowds of eager art collectors had gone to the beach. A fellow exhibitor mentioned a class she heard about through New Ventures Maine. It had been a summer of crummy weather during the outdoor shows, which were my primary outlet for selling my artwork. I was feeling burnt out and discouraged, and the mention of this class came at a welcome moment.”
Venturing Forth
Page enrolled in NVME’s Venturing Forth class in 2015 to build a plan for business growth. “Like many artists, my perceived strengths lay with creating the art, not selling it. In a supportive, structured framework, the class helped me learn the essentials of being an entrepreneur. My goal was to face my financial fears – baggage I was tired of lugging around.”
Page says, “It felt uncomfortable and overwhelming at first, but with the support of our motivating instructor, Jenn Dobransky, and classmates, the course was ultimately powerful and confidence-building.”
Finding Confidence
The confidence New Ventures Maine has given Page has been transformative. “It has taught me it’s a strength to ask for and receive help. We are fortunate to live in Maine, where there are many organizations and professionals who are eager to support and open doors for small businesses. New Ventures Maine connected us with many of them.”
Advice From Page
Page advises other artists and entrepreneurs to trust that facing your fears and doing something out of your comfort zone will lead to more confidence and growth. She also keeps in mind her affirmation from class: “When your self-worth goes up, your net worth goes up.”
What the Future Holds
Page’s business and her art have grown by leaps and bounds since completing the class. For the future, she says, “My goal is to continue on the path of valuing myself as an artist and a business woman, and to stay fresh and inspired by continuing to challenge myself.”