Tara Reed has been licensing her art since 2004 –
she is the artist, agent and everything in between for her business.
background | pricing & contact | contracts & forms | read testimonials
Background
Tara Reed built her business from stay-at-home mom to artist and she has worked with more than 25 different manufacturers. Armed with a degree in marketing, Tara understands both the art and business side of licensing.
In 2001, Tara was a "Creative Alliance Partner" (pretty much their fancy name for a licensor) with EK Success. (then named: Tara Cowper) In 2002 she started working with Stacy Julian & Co. at Simple Scrapbooks Magazine™ – writing, designing and teaching – so on the editorial side of scrapbooking.
In 2004, she decided to see if her art "could make it" in the larger world of licensing. "You have no idea how scared and unsure I was!" Tara recalls. "I battled through a lot of "I'm not good enough" thoughts between then and now!"
Since 2004, she has kept the faith and worked to build her business. She started with a dream and held on to it through thick and thin. You can too.
In 2008 Tara Reed began this site to share what she has learned in her years building her business -- which she is still working and building. In 2009, the scope of the site expanded to include other experts and resources, beginning with artist Paul Brent.
So that's "Tara Reed" in a nutshell. Tara lives in Portland, Oregon with a fabulous son who makes her laugh and always makes her believe in herself when any doubt creeps in. Her studio is one of her favorite places in the world.
Pricing & Contact Information
Tara Reed is available for individual consultation. She enjoys helping artists look at where their business is now and where they want to take it – helping them to come up with strategies to focus and build their dream business. Whether it is a one-time issue or ongoing support, she will give you the benefit of her background and experience as a "working artist" and trained sales & marketing professional.
*Note: I don't have experience in children's book illustration or character branding. I won't be a fit for you if that is your main interest.
- Brushstroke Brainstorming: One Hour Consultation: $150
- Continuous Coaching: 6+ Hour Consultation commitment: $125/hour
- Pay in one, upfront payment of $710 for a savings of 5% or
- Make 2 equal payments of $375 – 6 weeks (42 days) apart.
To schedule coaching with Tara Reed, email her directly to set up time and select your method of payment below.
Brushstroke Brainstorming – One Hour – $150 – (Credit Card / PayPal)
Continuous Coaching – 6 Hours / 1 payment of $710 – (5% discount – Credit Card / PayPal)
Continuous Coaching – 6 Hours / 2 payments of $375 each – (Credit Card)
Contract and Preparation Forms
If you have not done any prior consulting with Tara Reed, we need to get the legal details out of the way. Please download and review the appropriate contract below, each of which has 4 parts:
- Consulting Agreement
- Attachment A: Scope of Services
- Attachment B: Payment for Services
- Attachment C: Non-Disclosure Agreement
Before your first coaching session, be sure to complete and return the initial preparation form.
There is only one for "Brushstroke Brainstorming" since that is a one time consultation and two for "Continuous Coaching" – the initial preparation form and then a "Session Form" to use between each coaching session.
The "Focus Finder Worksheet" is also available below if you want help getting clear on the help you want.
Brushstroke Brainstorming Preparation Form
TESTIMONIALS
Here is what others are saying about coaching with Tara Reed...
"Tara is a profound source of information for licensing, and a brilliant licensing Coach! I can't emphasize this enough. You want to know how to best go about licensing your art, which products your art would be most suitable for, what to expect from Licensing Trade Shows, how to best prepare for them, how to best prepare yourself for questions from manufacturers etc., Tara is your Go To Girl!
As an artist who is interested in licensing my designs, I can testify that Tara's mentoring advice, and coaching has proven fantastic! Her advice is filled with experience, and Tara personalizes everything to suit your needs. With her honesty and background in licensing, Tara continues to help me get things moving on my end. Licensing is not an easy industry, and it does not happen over night. But once you have your foot in the door, you have the ability to move forward faster. With determination, skill in your area of expertise and know-how from Tara, you will go places with licensing your work! I highly recommend Tara!
Good luck to you in all your licensing endeavors!"
Elisabeth Bell, Artist
www.ElisabethBell.com
"I am in the home décor field already and was considering expanding into licensing. In 2009 I did an internet search and found Tara Reed, she knows how to market herself... SHE KNOWS HER STUFF!! After contacting her I met her at SURTEX where she spoke at a lecture, I was highly impressed with her wealth of knowledge.
Her industry experience is exactly what I needed I to learn the ropes. I feel I can ask her anything and get the answers I need to move forward with my licensing career. She is easily accessible, responsible, connected and personable. I can’t say enough about the support she has provided to help me along the road to success!
Because of her I feel well prepared to do Surtex 2011. Not only is she up to date informative and continually educating but she also successfully licenses her own work... she walks the walk and talks the talk! Tara is amazing...I say go for it!!!"
Rebecca Lyon
Home Décor Designer
www.RebeccaLyonDesign.com
"After listening to one of Tara Reed’s “Ask Calls,” I could tell that she had the personality and the experience to help me reach some of my artistic goals. I signed up for her coaching sessions to figure out how to tailor my art for Licensing and what to include in my portfolio.
On each call Tara gives me specific direction and detailed feedback. Every time I talk to Tara I come away with more confidence and am driven to keep moving forward with my work. Her calls are definitely worth it!"
Elisabeth Klos, Artist
www.ElisabethKlos.com
"I am an artist showing at my first licensing expo but didn't have much background on licensing so I started searching for answers. I was so relieved to find Tara Reed.
Tara gave me valuable information and it was worth the cost of the consultation. She explained how licensing works, gave me good suggestions on preparing for the show and ideas for follow-ups after the show. Now, I feel more confident moving forward into the world of licensing. Thank you Tara!"
Jen, creator of Pincurl Girls
www.PinCurlGirls.com
"I decided to work with Tara because I was in negotiations with a company for a potential licensing deal. I had questions about several issues, including freelance pricing, exclusivity and payment schedule. Tara was awesome!
She is a wonderful listener and gives excellent and thorough advice. She answered each of my questions with all of the information I needed. She was even able to point out and give advice on other issues that I had not even anticipated.
An added bonus was her incredible enthusiasm and encouragement. My conversation with her gave me all of the information and confidence that I needed to move forward. I wholeheartedly recommend coaching work with Tara!"
~ Deb Eiseman, Artist
eMoonlightCreations.com
"My coaching session with Tara Reed was $$ well spent, she definitely helped me with how to promote myself better both on my website and in person at the shows - something I know I need to do.
"I would highly recommend Tara to any and all other artists out there - EVERYONE could benefit from a little coaching!!! It's a GREAT way to get pumped up about your work AND there's ALWAYS something new to learn."
~ Sally Hushak, artist / graphic designer
www.olive-food.com
"I felt I needed to jumpstart a stagnating career so I signed up for a coaching session with Tara. Well worth it! The session was a bit inspirational, a bit practical and it left me with a new way of working and a new set of goals. Thanks again."
Bob Pennycook, artist
www.bobpennycook.com
