How to Make a Living Doing What You Love (or at Least Not Die Trying)

About the Guests

David Harman is the founder of Native Maps, where art and place intersect. His hand-screen-printed neighborhood maps are more than just designs, they are stories—capturing the communities, coffee shops, parks and record stores that make a city feel like home. These maps, sold in stores across the country, are not meant to help you navigate streets but to help you get lost in the places you love. Nearly ten years ago, David co-founded The Maker City, helping build Knoxville’s creative ecosystem and proving that artists and makers can thrive as entrepreneurs. He also runs Sunday Studios, a creative space for artists and photographers.

Siobian Jones is the founder of A Mighty Wig, a custom wig design business that serves both theatrical productions and individuals experiencing hair loss. With a career spanning salon education, Broadway, Cirque du Soleil and independent business ownership, Siobian brings artistry, craftsmanship and a deep commitment to helping others feel confident and empowered.

Why This Matters

Turning a creative passion into a sustainable business is no easy feat. It requires more than just talent, it takes financial clarity, adaptability and a willingness to navigate the uncomfortable realities of entrepreneurship.

This episode is for artists, makers and anyone who has ever wondered, Can I actually make a living doing what I love? Spoiler alert, yes, but not without some trial, error and plenty of perseverance.

A big thank you to Nancy Solomon, a creative leader in Knoxville and co-founder of The Maker City, for kicking off the conversation with a thought-provoking question on what it really takes to build a creative career beyond passion alone.

Key Takeaways:

• There is no cruise control in creative business. Success is not a single breakthrough, it is continuous learning, refining and adapting.
  
  
• Financial vigilance is key. Budgeting, pricing and long-term planning matter just as much as artistic skill.
  
  
• Mastery takes practice. Making a craft look effortless requires years of discipline and iteration.
  
  
• Boundaries matter. Saying yes to everything leads to burnout, true professionalism means valuing your time.
  
  
• Community is everything. The support of like-minded creators can be the difference between surviving and thriving.
  
  
• Selling is just as important as making. A great product does not sell itself, you have to actively put it in front of people.
  
  

Why It Matters to You

David and Siobian bring unfiltered honesty about what it takes to build a career in the creative world. From pricing their work to managing imposter syndrome, they have faced and continue to face the realities of making a living as an artist. Their insights are invaluable for anyone trying to turn their craft into something sustainable.

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Listen to all episodes of the Big Ideas Welcome podcast, available now on your favorite streaming platforms, YouTube, and at bigideaswelcome.com.

This Big Ideas Welcome podcast is brought to you by Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, hosted and curated by KEC Chief Experience Officer Chris McAdoo, and produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

A special thanks to K BREW for making this episode possible.

Original theme music “Thinking of You” courtesy of and copyright Kelsi Walker.