Side Hustling for Fun

Earlier this year I decided to embark on an artistic journey that would give me results that I never knew were possible. It was another rainy day in Tampa, like many that had come previously. I was inside scrolling TikTok when I stumbled across a man making spray paint planets. I was blown away by how cool they looked and knew that I had to have one for myself. I went to the store bought canvases and plenty of paint. As I experimented and learned how to use spray paint for the first time I saw that my planets had come out beautifully. I was so shocked that I could create something so pretty with such little experience. It was here that an idea hatch. It was still summer and the school year would be starting soon, I figured that the majority of students coming to live on campus would be lacking dorm art. So I got to work, creating 14 unique planets to sell to incoming freshman. I nearly sold out after just 2 days of selling on campus. I wen back home counting my money can got back to work to make more batches of spray paint planets. Today I've been doing this for 5 weeks and am making enough money to rival my day job as a video editor. The point is that to start selling and making business you don't need a big plan or investors, you simply need a passion and an opportunity.

But creating your own business is not all sunshine and rainbows. Yesterday I encountered my first of many roadblocks. I decided to switch up my selling strategy in an attempt to make more sales. The first change, many students skip class on Friday so selling on a Monday - Thursday would give me more exposer. Second Change, I should sell near the art buildings on campus so more people who are interested in art see me. To make a long story short this was a massive failure. I normally sell upwards of 20 paintings on a standard day, with the changes I sold 6. To add insult to injury Campus Safety has finally wised up to my antics. I was stopped and asked to show written approval which of course I have none. This leads me into my recovery plan.

If we are going to do this we might as well do it right. I went to to people who have the authority to give me written approval and said "Hello! I was wondering if you'd give me written approval to sell my paintings on campus" to which they promptly replied "No... we can only approve you if your a legitimate business". Good news is that I've been studying business for the past 3 years, although I have never formally owned a business. I ran off to meet with my old entrepreneurship professor and asked him what the cheapest, easiest, and best way to to form an LLC. He handed me over to the Florida Department of State and come Wednesday next week I should be the proud new owner and operator of Carver McCaskill Collection LLC.