Dear Creative Business Owner,

In 2007, I knew I had to take massive action if I wanted a different result in my life. After seven years in corporate marketing and communications, I decided to complete an internet mentorship program, which gave me the experience and confidence to quit my job to focus on internet-based contracts since 2008.

I was still uncomfortable about starting my own business as I had a lack of successful role models and support structures. However, one of the truths I observed while working in corporations was that teamwork was absolutely key for the growth and success of any business. So I was in search for a solution…

Overcome the Barriers to Success Regardless of Your Background

Then I attended a DollarMakers joint venture bootcamp in May 2009 and my long-held perceptions of the struggles of small business owners shifted dramatically. Although I had an intellectual understanding of strategic alliances, I had to overcome the barriers of lack thinking and the belief that hard work was necessary for success.

In the training bootcamp, I learned 29 joint venture strategies where I can leverage other people’s time, money, experience, skills and equipment to reach my goals. I discovered that I do not have to work hard to create everything. The joint venture training helped me to turn my focus away from the problems of what I don’t have – to focus on opportunities instead.

With joint ventures, I am of service to others first. I find out what other people want and how I can be of service to them. When I help them first, they want to do something in return. It’s the “Law of Reciprocity” and that’s when I receive what I’m looking for! And the best part is that I build rock-solid and long-lasting relationships in the process.

Success is Easy When You Learn to Create Joint Ventures

One week after the joint venture bootcamp training, I set up my first joint venture with a small internet marketing company. This resulted in successful referrals to the joint venture partner and in return, I receive ongoing commissions, as well as in-kind sponsorship to be on the first page of Google for search words my visitors type to find one of my websites. Therefore, I can’t help but believe that joint ventures are a great solution for all kinds of business problems. Yes, even in the arts!

In fact, the Artistrun.org site was rebranded, redeveloped, optimized and marketed with minimal cash through multiple joint ventures! In a time of severe arts funding cuts in BC, learning to create joint ventures can help you create the success you deserve, whether you’re an emerging or established creative entrepreneur.

Today, I enjoy being a creative business owner of internet marketing and arts promotions. To learn how you can create your own joint ventures, read about the upcoming joint venture bootcamp training.

Liza J. Lee

P.S. Again, by taking immediate action, you will learn how you can overcome the barriers to success as an entrepreneur (that includes the arts too). Even if you do not have experience in running your own business!

This year’s New Forms Festival (NFF) 09 continues to promote Canadian Artists in collaboration with the international arts and technology world. NFF is part of a larger, international, multi-media festival movement, which explores the ever changing and evolving world of art and creates a platform for artistic growth. It wishes to make new media art, music, film, technology base-based installation and performance accessible to a wider audience.

NFF is working with W2 Community Media Arts Centre (W2) to deliver NFF 09, which advances marginalized youth media artists in Vancouver with tools and strategies. Having NFF work with W2 means the two organizations joint venture in their strengths and resources to provide twice the impact for audience development and community engagement.

W2 the New Downtown Eastide Media and Art Centre
W2 is a highly anticipated project opening in the fall of 2009 at the landmark Woodward’s redevelopment in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. W2 is a community-based media and arts centre that offers quality arts programming and presentation opportunities to Downtown Eastside and Vancouver residents through a range of programs, resources and activities.

NFF 09 at Great Northern Way
The NFF festival 09 takes place on September 18 and 19, 2009, with a performance featuring different DJs accompanied by visual art exhibitions. NFF second day will feature an all-day VJ workshop followed by an evening performance and reception.

New Forms Festival 09 Line up @ Great Northern Way (122-577 Great Northern Way) near Science World.

September 18, 2009:

• Kyle Hall
• Lowfish
• Jay Tripwire
• Dandy Jack
• Krista Lomax

September 19, 2009:

• N-Type
• Eskmo
• Kush Arora
• Shamik
• Calamalka
• Dolladub
• Krisa Lomax

Tickets to each night is $20, with festival passes going for $30. For more information about NFF09, visit www.newformsfestival.com.

Kyle Hall (Detroit) at New Forms Festival 2009

Kyle Hall is an inspiration for all artists and musicians. He is a true prodigy and born 1991 – he’s only 18 years old! His work began when he was as young as 11 – local legend DJ Raybone Jones taught him how to spin records, and schooled him in the history of music. He was mentored by Rick Wilhite (Three Chairs), in underground deep house, then another Detroit house legend, Mike Huckaby who set him on the path to wider recognition and at age16, DJ, Omar-S, became his patron for his most recent mixtape is comprised solely of Kyle Hall productions.

See slideshow of New Forms Festival 2009 below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizajlee/sets/72157622411580638/show/

Liza J. Lee is the Co-founder and Blogger for Artistrun ArtConverge. Copyediting by Mario Glavacic.

© 2009 ArtConverge (ISSN 1918-9273‏)