The Heart of Our Hustle: Cultivating Authentic Relationships as Creative Professionals

In a world that often prioritizes followers, likes, and constant new connections, it’s easy to forget that the quality of our professional relationships matters far more than the size of our network. As creative professionals, we need more than just contact. We need a community - people who see us, believe in us, and walk alongside us through our journey. Genuine relationships with fellow artists, mentors, clients, audiences, collectors, and supporters are what truly sustain us. 

Yes, expanding your network is important. (If you’re looking for ideas, check out my past blog post: "50 Ways Artists and Creatives Can Build Their Professional Network.") But the real magic lies in cultivating and nurturing the relationships you already have. As the old song says, “Make new friends but keep the old—one is silver, the other gold.” Especially in uncertain times, investing in authentic connections isn’t just wise—it’s essential. The meaningful relationships we cultivate are the ones that carry us forward. They’re worth the time, the effort, and the care.

It can be challenging to move beyond surface-level connections and find your people—the ones who truly understand, support, and inspire you. If you're an artist or creative wondering how to build stronger relationships and cultivate a genuine sense of community around your practice, you're not alone. Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen the relationships you already have, building an authentic network takes intention, consistency, and heart.

Here are some strategies with heart that have worked for me and that I’ve seen work for other creatives—approaches that go beyond networking to foster real, lasting connections:

Say Thank - You to People (Including for Inspiring You in Some Way)

Gratitude is a powerful connector. Our work as artists and creatives is often personal and vulnerable, a simple “thank you” can mean everything. Take the time to thank people not just for favors or referrals, but for their influence—maybe their work moved you, their courage inspired you, or their feedback helped you grow or look at something in a new way. A sincere thank-you note or DM can plant the seed for a genuine, lasting connection. 

Show Up to Support People in Your Network

Relationships aren’t built by chance—they grow through presence. Whether it’s attending a gallery opening, sharing someone’s new track, buying a zine, or even just commenting on a post, showing up signals that you care. I know that for myself and many artists and creatives I’ve worked with, that kind of support can be more valuable than any algorithm boost. Be the person who makes the time. Showing up shows others you care and take their work seriously - which is something we all want as creative professionals.

Congratulate Others on Their Accomplishments, Courage, and Progress

We all know how easy it is to feel competitive or even a little envious of other creatives and their success. It’s easy to default to comparison mode. But flipping that impulse into celebration is where the magic happens. Publicly or privately acknowledging someone’s success—whether it’s landing a gig, publishing a piece, getting an award, or taking a big risk—makes you memorable and human. It shows you're secure enough to lift others up, and people will remember that.

Be Kind and Share – Pass Along Information, Articles, Podcasts 

Generosity builds trust. If you read something useful or hear a podcast that resonates or might be appreciated by another creative in your orbit, pass it on. Personally, I love to pass these things along to former clients and peers. It’s something I take delight in doing and in my experience, people are always delighted to have been thought of in this way. These small acts of thoughtfulness build rapport and create a sense of ongoing connection. It tells people: “Hey, I thought of you, and I want to see you thrive.” And don’t forget to communicate and share what you are up to with others. I don’t know about you, but I love when I receive newsletters from artists sharing what they’ve been working on or inspired by and where and when their work will be presented. It makes me feel more connected to them as fellow creative people and what’s going on outside of my own bubble!

Help Others and Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Advice or Help

Be generous—with your knowledge, your time, your connections—but also be honest about your own needs. Relationships should be a two-way street. Asking for help isn’t a weakness; it’s a powerful way to cultivate genuine connection. It opens the door to collaboration, mentorship, and authentic exchange.

I often work with clients who feel uncomfortable asking casual connections—or even close peers—for help. They worry about being a burden or coming across as too needy. But asking for help, when done with intention, can be an act of courage and openness. It invites trust and deepens relationships.

In our work together, we explore how vulnerability—shared thoughtfully—can be the foundation of meaningful creative and professional bonds. We focus on being clear and intentional: What kind of help are you seeking? How can you ask in a way that invites connection rather than obligation?

More often than not, people respond with generosity—sometimes even offering more than what was asked. When someone helps you, they become personally invested in your success. And that’s where the authentic connections  happen - because mutual support is what transforms our connections into community.

 

Be Persistent

Relationships, like creativity, take time. This is true across the board - whether you are seeking to deepen creative friendships or cultivate relationships with collectors, gallerists, publishers, producers or grow other professional relationships. Keep reaching out, communicating  your support, appreciation, alignment and interest - depending on the connection you want to cultivate in the long run. Don’t be discouraged if connections take a while to deepen—sometimes people are just busy, or not in the right headspace. Keep showing up authentically, and your persistence will pay off in trust, sincerity, and mutual inspiration. Real connections are slow-brewed, not instant.

Relationships are the quiet force behind so much creative success— more than any single opportunity or transaction or stroke of luck. But they don’t flourish without care. By showing up, sharing generously, expressing gratitude, and being open to both giving and receiving help, you create more than a network—you cultivate a community.

So yes, keep reaching out and meeting new people—but also continue nurturing the creative friendships you already have. In an unpredictable world—especially right now—those golden threads of connection can be the most grounding and sustaining part of building a creative practice, business, or career that’s both fulfilling and sustainable.

How will you put your heart into cultivating

your professional relationships?

Image: Art Date with Lucy at HORSE HANGING FROM THE CEILING, INSIDE OUT, Rodrigo Costa, Arquipélago - Arts Center