The following is an interview with Ben Kaplan conducted by Allison Levin, UM-St. Louis, in July 2004.

Q. Have you always worked in your current profession? If not, what other professions have you had?

A. No. I backed into design after writing for a newspaper in Central Pennsylvania. They needed a web and page designer. I have a considerable art background and some computer skills, so I was offered the job. It grew from there. Below is a chronological list of professions:

• Sound recordist and engineer for feature, industrial and commercial films
• Audio engineer
• College professor - Pennsylvania College of Technology
• Professional singer/songwriter
• Newspaper reporter - Williamsport Sun-Gazette
• Newspaper page designer and graphic designer - Sun-Gazette
• Freelance designer
• Multimedia designer/Sound designer - XPLANE Corp.
• Principal/Owner - act3 designing the story
• College professor

I continue to play music. I am currently working on a new recording.

Q. How did friends and family react when you chose to pursue this profession?

A. I have two younger sisters who are both artists as well, so my parents' reaction was fairly tempered. They were concerned, like any parents would be, how would I survive, but they have been very supportive over the years. It was tough starting out, but they respected my vision and my inability to compromise my integrity. My grandfather and father owned their own business, so entrepreneurship seems to run in the family.

Q. What challenges have you faced in making a living in your chosen profession?

A. As an artist, I really don't like the business development side of things. I would rather someone else do that so I can focus on the fun stuff...making cool things. Over the years, I have grown into that role, but it was a bumpy ride.

As a sole proprietor, I am limited to the amount of work I can physically do. I could subcontract work out, and I do occasionally, but I enjoy doing the work more than I enjoy managing others (in addition to enjoying the money going into my pocket). So, there are often not enough hours in the day to complete and accomplish what I would like to.

Not taking business personally. That was one of the hardest lessons to learn. The arts are a very personally charged arena. Regardless of your medium, you spend years developing craft, technique and style. When someone, a superior, a client, a passerby, doesn't get it, it can be difficult to realize that it's about the work and not a comment on you.

Q. What sacrifices have you made to pursue your chosen profession?

A. I often feel like I sacrifice a lot of personal life. I tend to be very directed and often times single-tracked. So, I can block out a lot of what is happening around me, focusing on whatever the task is at hand, for better or worse. It's easy to sit down to do something for 20 minutes and the three hours pass by. Let's just say it's been the end of many a relationship...

Q. As a teenager and young adult, did you ever doubt that you would be able to make a living in your chosen profession?

A. The funny thing is that as a teenager and younger adult, I had no fear about making a living. I was surrounded by good people who kept me focused on developing as an artist. I am a bit of a fatalist, so I believed that if I focused on the work, the business end would work itself out. To a certain degree that has been the case. The only issue was, no one told me what to do once the business end took care of itself..

Q. What advice would you give to a young adult who wants to try to make a living as an artist?

A. I would say that you've got to believe in yourself and what you are doing. I realize it sounds cliche', but there are too many obstacles, both internal and external, that will keep you from succeeding. Be prepared to commit 100 percent of yourself to your endeavor. You will have good days, where you feel like you could conquer the world, and bad days, where you feel like no one will ever understand what it is you are doing. Just keep your head down and your eye on the prize. Surround yourself with people who support you, no matter how much money or time you have for them. Realize that it will pay off. Hard work and talent can knock down many walls, it just depends how willing you are to commit to a path and wee it through. But, most importantly, have fun. Given the hard work, the hours, etc..., if you don't totally love what you are doing or can see yourself doing anything else, do it. There is no shame in enjoying your music after you come home from work or painting on the weekends. Some people just don't have the constitution for this path, and that is cool.

Take a look at Ben Kaplan's work on his website at act3i.com. Be sure to click on the links to some of the sites Ben has designed. You will be blown away.

copyright 2004, Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Education, University of Missouri-St. Louis