When Your Art Business Stops Growing

Hey creative friends! Today, we’re diving into one of the hardest – yet most transformational – experiences any artist-entrepreneur can face: when your art business stops growing.

In this honest and heart-filled episode of Art + Audience, Stacie takes us behind the scenes of a launch that didn’t go as planned, and how she turned a moment of stagnation into an invitation for growth. Whether you're facing slow sales, a flatlining email list, or just feeling stuck, this episode is here to remind you: you’re not alone, and this isn’t the end.

The Launch That Fell Flat

Stacie opens up about a time when she and her team launched a new candle line for her brand, Gingiber. On paper, it was perfect—beautiful, cozy, giftable. They poured their hearts into the product, from scent selection to custom packaging. But when launch day came? Crickets.

Despite all the right steps—email marketing, gorgeous photos, social media promotion—sales were painfully slow. And that silence hit hard.

"I kept refreshing the dashboard, thinking maybe it just needs more time, but deep down it felt like a gut punch."

When something you believe in flops, especially after a decade of building, it can shake your confidence. But Stacie didn’t let it break her spirit.

Plateaus Are Invitations

Stacie shares a powerful truth: plateaus aren’t punishments—they’re invitations. They ask us to pause, reflect, and evolve.

That failed candle launch wasn’t a failure, but feedback. It wasn’t about the product itself—it was about positioning, timing, and understanding the customer’s needs more deeply.

Instead of giving up, she and her team took a step back. They’re now reworking their strategy with more research and a better understanding of their audience.

3 Steps to Reignite Growth in Your Art Business

If you’re feeling stuck, here’s the roadmap Stacie offers to get moving again:

1. Diagnose the Real Problem

Before you throw everything out, get curious. Ask:

• Is it the offer, the audience, or the messaging?
  
• Are you solving the right problem for the right person?
  

Clarity here can unlock new momentum.

2. Do Something Bold (Even If It’s Small)

Sometimes your business just needs to shake off the dust. Try something new. Get a little weird. Launch a new product, explore a different income stream, or simply refresh your website.

For Stacie, this meant stepping into education—even though she never saw herself as a teacher. That bold move rekindled her passion in a whole new way.

3. Recommit with a Fresh Rhythm

Stagnation can also be burnout in disguise. Stacie recommends her Five-Hour Week Framework:

• 1 hour: product development
  
• 1 hour: marketing
  
• 1 hour: audience connection
  
• 1 hour: admin/automation
  
• 1 hour: rest/play/vision
  

This rhythm helps you move forward without burning out.

You're Not Starting Over – You're Starting Next

Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’ve peaked. It means you’re on the edge of something new. It’s not time to quit—it’s time to evolve.

"You’re not broken. You haven’t peaked. You’re not behind. You’re at the edge of your next evolution."

Final Thoughts

Growth isn’t always linear, and setbacks are often the seeds of your next success. So take a breath, ask the right questions, and make one brave move. You’ve got this.

Share Your Story

Has this episode resonated with you? Stacie would love to hear from you! Call the Art + Audience voicemail at 479-966-9561 and share your story or question for a chance to be featured in a future episode. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Art + Audience Podcast and share it with your favorite art friend. Follow Stacie on Instagram @gingiber | @leverageyourart.