“What do you do?” This is usually the first question I get asked when drawing people at an event. That is also the most dangerous question to ask as it will go into a whole discussion on doing what you love in life and so on! This is the point where I hand over three business cards with a business on each side and it usually opens up their eyes very wide.
What do I do? With three different businesses the answer can be long, but I will try to shorten it up for you. Business wise, we have one company with three divisions. We have my art business caricature entertainment and illustration, my media business which is a podcast-radio-event coverage, and our translation business with English / French translation services for the Province of Quebec. Two people, three businesses. Now if you ask what I do personally I am an artist, author, radio DJ, television host – producer, and entrepreneur. I always like to add “All around good guy” but will leave that to you to decide. You can see where this gets to be a challenge.
To the general public most performers unless you’re a Taylor Swift are performing entertainment as a side hustle. We do this on weekends for extra money or we work part time and perform on weekends. There are many artists that do that, but not all of us, it’s just that’s how people see entrepreneurs now, it’s the “Gig Economy”. It’s funny how people don’t question you if you’re an actor that is very successful and buy a wine business, that’s an investment. Or what about the Dragon on Dragon’s Den that invests in other businesses creating a portfolio of small businesses, that’s a growth strategy. What about the musician that is on tour six months of the year, but also acts in a movie each year, that’s creative. The idea that a person should have one job and everything else takes a second seat to it is an old way of thinking and not even realistic in today’s world. The truth is most creative people I know cross over into different parts of the arts and have different interests that they want to explore. That’s called the creative spirit! I know many visual artists that are also talented musicians. My friend Rich Redmond has been the drummer for Jason Alden’s Band for over 20 years. He is also a successful author, podcast host, motivational speaker, and actor.
Why do so many different things, shouldn’t you focus on one thing?
That is the strategy many entrepreneurs start with but doesn’t always work in the real world. I like doing different things and from a business standpoint it helps diversify the business so it is not so reliant on one area. If my caricature business is slow, usually my media business is busy. I tell people it’s whatever gets into the calendar first! If I did just one thing such as caricatures I would have to take every caricature event that comes my way. By diversifying I can take the events that I like to do and not have to rely on the ones I don’t. It allows me to choose what works best for me. The best way to explain it is my business is full time with various services in the mix. If you want to learn all of our businesses you can visit our website for Outridge Enterprises Inc at www.outridgeenterprises.ca
If you do more than one thing be proud of it. You are learning more and creating an exciting life for yourself. If you come across someone performing at your event or see them somewhere else in another capacity applaud there creativity and ambition.
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About the Author
Bruce Outridge Productions offers caricature entertainment for weddings and corporate events.
#corporateentertainment #weddingentertainment #caricatures #caricaturist #bruceoutridgeproductions
Book Bruce Outridge Productions for your wedding or corporate event in Ontario – www.BruceOutridgeProductions.com
