Entrepreneur Type:
Artisan
Artisans have achieved high technical mastery or possess specific practical skills. They are specialists in their field; they are industrious and patient. As a rule, they are inventive, display balanced assertiveness, and have a good understanding of business approaches. The Artisan can succeed in running their business both by themselves and with others (for example, if he or she needs to hire employees or take on a partner).
However, the Artisan is not immune to certain difficulties that they may encounter in their business. For example, if an Artisan expands their company by hiring employees, Artisan’s lack of persistence in bringing projects to fruition may cause a problem. Artisans are also likely to experience difficulty finding optimal solutions for complex business circumstances. Good training in business management techniques will greatly help the Artisan.
The Artisan can successfully expand and strengthen his or her business by entering a partnership. It is especially favorable for the Artisan to partner with someone who has a better grasp of unusual business situations and/or exhibits greater persistence in realizing their goals; for example, with a Business Leader or Manager.
The largest comfortable business magnitude for the Artisan type: Medium
Necessary Steps for Success in Your Business
If you want to reach your goals, you need to know exactly what they are. It is very important to develop clear, concrete, measurable goals. Likewise, it is vital to set a deadline for their achievement. If the deadlines are realistic, it will be clear what needs to be done to achieve your goals on time. Do not postpone them; instead, try to find ways to reach them on time. This will force you to become goal-oriented and will develop your ability to reach those deadlines punctually.
While assessing the situation, do not rely on yourself alone. You should ask for the opinions of those who are experts on your specific type of business. Familiarize yourself as much as possible with the kind of business you intend to start. Be aware of the difficulties this enterprise can encounter. Try to determine if these difficulties are caused primarily by the businessman's management mistakes, or if perhaps, they are characteristic of the business itself. Assess your capability to cope with these difficulties.
Unless you are in a partnership with a Business Leader, your business is local, although it is aimed at a wide demographic. Accordingly, you should work with local advertising agencies rather than with nationwide ones. Note that customers' word-of-mouth and testimonials are especially important. Try to understand how your goods or services can answer consumer needs; then, create your advertisements so that they meet potential customers’ current requirements. Always be in touch with your customers, and send them catalogues and samples of your goods.
It is also important to create and support your business' brand. Give your business a name that reflects your own name, or one that expresses the essence of your company. Develop a logo or a picture that represents your business. Create and run commercials. Distribute branded badges, fridge-magnets, and similar items to your customers.
Try to personalize your relationships with your customers. Make sure they feel that you are selling your product personally to them, considering all of their wishes and demands. Provide your customers with an additional complimentary service. As a result, the grateful customers will buy your product repeatedly and will recommend your business to others. There is a variety of ways to show your interest and friendly concern for customers – such as sending small gifts, providing useful advice about your product, and inviting them to specially organized festivities.
Keep in mind that you should not push your product relentlessly to a potential customer. However, you can point out your product's advantages and why it would be especially useful to them. Explain the product's different uses and make recommendations for its maintenance. If customers trust you, they will trust your product too. If they are confident in your skills and knowledge, then it is very probable that they will return for another purchase.
The Artisan is more inclined to start a new business than to acquire one; however, in many situations it is better for them to acquire an existing business. If you are new to a particular field, for example, the contacts, supplier contracts, and customers that you receive upon buying an existing business will save you money. Usually, a newcomer in a specific field is unfamiliar with local customs; this can be a serious obstacle when starting a business and acquiring customers.
It is important to invest properly in a business. The Artisan almost always invests a lot in equipment. It is essential to purchase easily portable, up-to-date equipment; this way, you can easily relocate your business if high rent costs or local competition become obstacles. Moreover, portable equipment will increase your mobility, allowing you to service distant customers. It is also important for the Artisan to invest in up-to-date equipment and tools that will help expand their service or make it possible to produce new goods.
In addition to offering services you do or items that you make, you can offer products made by others. Such products should supplement yours. This way you can increase your profit with very little extra effort on your part.
Businesses Favorable for the Artisan
The following are common careers in which a Artisan runs his own business:
- Dental technician
- Dental surgeon
- Hygienist
- Cobbler
- Tailor
- Custom clothing
- Appliance or computer repair technician
- Plumber
- Hairdresser
- Watch seller and repairperson
- Jeweller
- Engraver
- Metallurgist
- Carpenter
- Wall painter
- Caretaker
- Construction worker
- Electrician
- Gardener/landscaper
- Veterinarian
- Auto mechanic
- Handyman
- Furnace and HVAC technician
- Aesthetician
- Cosmetician
- Registered massage therapist
- Pedorthist
Resources
Premium
Complete the Entrepreneur Quiz and get the premium version of the results including:
- Your “exact” (=most likely) entrepreneur type.
- Examples of franchises favourable from your entrepreneur type standpoint.
- If applicable, what kind of business partner, in terms of his or her entrepreneur type, you can benefit from partnering with, and examples of occupations for such partnership.