A brush with business: Self-employment Program helps artist kickstart new career

After working in administration roles for nearly 23 years, Mandi Irmen was ready for a change of career. To the surprise of some, Mandi returned to a passion she’d left behind in high school—and she’s since built a flourishing small business.

“I’ve always been an artist,” says Mandi. With the demands of family and full-time work, however, Mandi had left her paintbrushes behind until about eight years ago, when she found herself painting again as a way to relax.

“I wanted to become a painter and decided to really learn some skills. As soon as I picked up the paintbrush again, I couldn’t put it down.”

The next month, Mandi painted 35 paintings. Over the next eight years, a trickle of an idea emerged in her mind: “I thought, maybe I just need to pivot and make my dream, my passion, my business.”

In the fall of 2023, a friend told Mandi about the Self-employment Program at Community Futures North Okanagan. Soon, Mandi was in the SE classroom with other emerging entrepreneurs, gaining know-how about everything from financials to marketing.

“I realized that the reason many artists don’t earn a living from their work is because they hadn’t gained business skills, and I thought, if I intend to earn a living making art, I’d better learn that.”

In addition to skills and learning, she says the SE program offered invaluable support. “To be able to have regular meetings with Margo or Erin was so helpful. You don’t realize how many things will come at you as you get set up and get clear about what you’re doing.”

That was in the fall of 2023. Since then, Mandi has been dividing her time between painting—often landscapes featuring flowers—and doing the work of selling original paintings and art print items, and hosting paint classes. She’s participated in farmer’s markets, night markets and her work can be found in a few shops featuring the work of local artists as well as on her website.

She also has a studio at Gallery Vertigo downtown, where she regularly meets potential customers.

“Art is so much about connection,” says Mandi. She says she’s heard so many stories from passersby about her floral subjects, especially poppies, evoking special memories that led to conversations that led to sales. “I think these paintings bring people a lot of hope and joy, and take them off into another place. We can all use an escape.”

Almost a year after launching Mandi Irmen Art, she says, “I am just over the moon to be making an actual business out of my art. My business is paying for itself. It’s earning me an income.”

To others feeling inspired to turn their passion into a small business with help from the Self-employment Program, Mandi says: “It will be the best thing you will ever do. You are in incredible hands with them.”

Interested in learning how Community Future’s Self-employment Program could help you launch an exciting and viable business? Learn more