
Beyond Passion: Building a Sustainable Art Business
My friend, I’ve heard the whispers of doubt that might be holding you back right now: “Can I really afford to invest in a mentorship program? Will I ever see a return on that investment?”
These are valid questions—especially if you’ve been told the lie that being an artist means struggling financially or that pursuing your calling means embracing poverty.
Let me tell you something powerful: God doesn’t call us to be starving artists. He calls us to be good stewards of our gifts, including the ability to create income from the talents He’s entrusted to us.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
The Measurable Return on Your Mentorship Investment
When we talk about ROI (Return on Investment) for artist mentorship, we’re not just speaking in vague terms of “feeling more confident” or “growing as an artist”—though these are certainly valuable. We’re talking about tangible, measurable financial returns that transform your art practice into a sustainable business.
1. Accelerated Income Growth Through Proven Systems
Look at these real results from Created to Thrive members:
- 60% Sales Increase: Ann from Oregon shares, “I have increased my art teaching income over 60% and am on my way to a six-figure year after doing the Artist Cashflow Bootcamp and becoming a member of CTT!”
- 4x Income Increase: Lance from Wisconsin reports, “Since I joined the mentoring program and started doing the work, I’ve increased my art business income by over 4x!”
- $60K Revenue Growth: Lisa from California tells us, “After becoming a member of CTT and implementing Matt’s teachings, I’ve increased my art business income from $32k to over $92K!”
These aren’t outliers—they represent the kind of transformation possible when you follow proven systems rather than trying to reinvent the wheel on your own.
2. The Costly Alternative: Trial and Error
Let’s be honest about what not investing in mentorship actually costs:
- Time: Years of figuring things out through trial and error
- Lost Revenue: Income you could have been generating with the right strategies
- Wasted Resources: Money spent on ineffective marketing or wrong platforms
- Emotional Toll: The frustration and discouragement of repeated failures
The Small Business Administration (SBA) confirms this, stating that small businesses (including art businesses) that receive mentoring or coaching have a 70% higher chance of surviving the critical first five years compared to those without mentoring support.
That’s not just a slight edge—it’s the difference between thriving and barely surviving.
3. Breaking Down the Investment Math
Consider this simple calculation:
The average price for a beginning artist’s work ranges from $200-$800 per piece, with emerging and professional artists commanding $1,000-$5,000 or more.
If mentorship helps you:
- Sell just one additional piece per month at $300 = $3,600/year
- Raise your prices appropriately by even 20% = significant additional income
- Add one new revenue stream (like teaching or prints) = exponential growth
This means your membership investment can be recouped with just a few additional sales or one strategic price increase—everything beyond that is profit that continues year after year.
4. The Compound Financial Effect of Artistic Growth
Unlike many investments that depreciate, what you learn through mentorship appreciates over time:
- Skills build upon skills: Each new technique or business strategy you master becomes part of your permanent toolkit
- Relationships compound: The connections you make through a mentorship community continue to yield opportunities years later
- Reputation grows: As your work improves and your visibility increases, your ability to command higher prices increases too
Maria from Texas experienced this compound effect: “Within months I got out of debt, created passive income, and stopped self-sabotaging. A year later I have a great monthly membership course and a cool gallery representing me.”
5. Beyond Direct Income: The Full Financial Picture
The financial ROI extends beyond just art sales:
- Financial Knowledge: Learn the importance of properly tracking expenses and deductions which are specific to artists
- Multiple Income Streams: Develop diversified revenue sources for stability
- Efficient Systems: Save money by implementing streamlined processes for production and sales
- Strategic Investments: Make smarter decisions about where to put your art business dollars
- Pricing Confidence: Stop leaving money on the table with underpriced artwork
Inside Created to Thrive, we address all these aspects through resources like our Art Inventory Tracker, Art Pricing Workshop, and Monthly BizChats focused on the business side of art.
Real Investment, Real Returns
I don’t just teach these principles—I’ve lived them. As a professional artist who has built a thriving six-figure+ art business while maintaining spiritual integrity, I know firsthand the transformation that happens when you invest in your growth.
And I’ve seen it happen for countless others like Shanon Roberts, who started successfully selling her art just two months after joining Created to Thrive.
A Kingdom Perspective on ROI
From a Kingdom perspective, the return on your investment goes even deeper:
- Stewardship: Honoring God by maximizing the gifts He’s given you
- Impact: Reaching more people with your art’s message and ministry
- Legacy: Building something sustainable that can bless future generations
- Giving: Increasing your capacity to support causes you care about
When you invest in your growth as an artist, you’re not just investing in a business—you’re investing in your calling.
The Bottom Line
For less than the cost of a few art supplies or a single workshop, membership in the Created to Thrive Artist Mentorship Program gives you access to:
- Over 240 videos and resources worth more than $2,400
- Weekly live coaching and expert sessions valued at over $2,400/year
- A supportive community and personalized guidance that’s genuinely priceless
The question isn’t whether you can afford to invest in mentorship. Given the potential returns—both financial and spiritual—the real question is: Can you afford not to?
[Get Started Today for Just $14!]
I’m cheering you on as you step into the abundance God has for you through your art!
Matt Tommey
Frequently Asked Questions About Financial ROI
How quickly can I expect to see financial returns from artist mentorship? While every artist’s journey is unique, many of our members begin to see financial improvement within the first 2-4 months of implementing the strategies they learn. These initial returns often come from proper pricing adjustments, more effective marketing approaches, or developing new revenue streams. As your skills, confidence, and business systems continue to develop, your financial returns typically increase proportionally.
Is there a money-back guarantee if I don’t see results? Yes! Created to Thrive offers a full 15-day money-back guarantee for all yearly and lifetime purchases. If you are unsatisfied with the program during the first two weeks, simply request a full refund. No questions, no hassle. Monthly subscriptions are not eligible for refunds but may cancel at any time with no contract or obligations.
Will I need to invest additional money beyond the membership fee? The Created to Thrive membership provides everything you need to transform your art business financially. While you may choose to invest in certain tools or platforms as your business grows (like website improvements or marketing materials), the program itself gives you all the necessary knowledge, community support, and resources without requiring additional purchases.
Does this program work for artists at any income level? Absolutely! We have members who join with no art sales history and others who are already earning steady income but want to scale their business. The principles and strategies work regardless of your starting point, and the program is designed to meet you where you are. Whether you’re working to make your first $1,000 or aiming for six figures, the financial growth principles are applicable and scalable.
Explore More About Artist Mentorship Benefits
- How Artist Mentorship Accelerates Creative Growth and Skill Development Discover how mentorship can fast-track your artistic skills and creative voice…
- Building Your Professional Network Through Mentorship Communities Learn how mentorship communities create powerful connections for artists…
- Artist Testimonials: Life-Changing Results from Quality Mentorship Read inspiring stories from Christian artists whose lives were transformed…