1. Develop Your Skills: Invest time and resources in building your drawing, painting, and photography skills to create top quality custom portraits.
2. Research the Market: Conduct thorough research on the market in order to identify potential customers and competition as well as pricing and other factors.
3. Choose a Business Model: Decide which business model you will use, either as a solo artist, or as part of an established team.
4. Set Up Your Business: Register your business with the local authorities and obtain any necessary licenses or permits.
5. Get Insurance: Make sure that you are covered against claims of copyright infringement or other potential liabilities.
6. Create a Website: Develop an attractive website with easy-to-navigate pages and a portfolio of your work.
7. Start Advertising: Promote your business through online, print, and other channels to reach potential clients.
8. Set Your Prices: Calculate the costs associated with producing custom portraits and set your prices accordingly.
9. Stay Organized: Manage clients, orders, schedules, and payments with a reliable system to ensure efficiency.
10. Network: Connect with other professionals in the industry and collaborate on projects when possible.