抖阴APP导航

For , entrepreneurship is inherently creative. 

鈥淭here is no one direct pathway to becoming an artist, much like the journey of an entrepreneur," she says.

Busby is an award-winning contemporary visual artist. Hailing from Yorkton, Sask., she creates abstract paintings inspired by the natural world, interpreting ordinary places in a fresh, new context. 

On Nov. 19, Busby will speak about the intersection between being an artist and an entrepreneur at the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking. During the session, she will speak about the power of creative thinking, how to build resilience and how self-belief can drive sustainable success in business. 

This session is not just for artists; it鈥檚 for anyone who has entrepreneurial aspirations, whether in tech, health care, food services or the arts community. 

Thinking like an artist to build like an entrepreneur

Busby developed an affinity for art at a young age. 鈥淚 always knew that art would be in my life,鈥� she says.

Though Busby loved the practice, she didn鈥檛 realize it could be a full-time career at first. After nearly 20 years working in marketing, sales and communications and pursuing painting part-time on the side, Busby pivoted to being a full-time artist in 2021.

Her foundation in marketing gave her the tools to easily step into an entrepreneurial mindset as an artist. 

鈥淲orking in sports, budgets can be quite low, especially in the not-for-profit sector. With that, we had to constantly be creative and be willing to pivot," Busby says. "With sports, there are so many unpredictable variables, so you have to learn to grow comfortable with uncertainty. As an artist, it鈥檚 the same thing.鈥�  

Busby believes that for those who wish to pursue art as a career, there is a dance between being both an artist and an entrepreneur.

鈥淏eing an artist means that you鈥檙e always open to ideas,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 a landscape artist, so I鈥檓 always looking for that next beautiful sunset or the northern lights as inspiration. I鈥檓 always open to that awe and wonder.鈥� 

Busby believes this translates into the way entrepreneurs work every day. 

鈥淚鈥檓 always open to something out of my comfort zone or trying something new, which is crucial in entrepreneurship,鈥� she says.

鈥淓very day in the studio, I am making choices, making decisions. Innovation is baked into my everyday as an artist. Resilience is big. Learning how to pivot and adapt is just part of the process. When you鈥檙e doing a lot of things on your own, in the studio by yourself, you have to be your own cheerleader and learn how to shut that inner critic out. That鈥檚 where resiliency comes to play.鈥�

For Busby, it鈥檚 important to maintain integrity as an artist and entrepreneur. 

鈥淵ou have to do what you say and say what you鈥檙e going to do. And enjoy the process,鈥� she says.

Building a strong community and network for collaboration

Working in the arts community, Busby says there鈥檚 no guidebook on how to break into the industry. With that uncertainty, having a support network is crucial. 

鈥淎s an artist, much of your day is solo. Having a community and having other artists around you is really important,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd it doesn鈥檛 have to be competitive. If one artist is doing well, that means there鈥檚 opportunities for other artists.鈥�

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Busby joined , a global creative community for creative entrepreneurs to grow, connect and thrive in their careers. She says the support and space to share knowledge has been extremely valuable throughout her journey.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great chance for us to ask questions. There are artists from all around the world in this group and it鈥檚 amazing to share best practices, help each other and learn from each other across our different careers,鈥� she says. 

Ultimately, Busby believes the right people can help keep you grounded and positive. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 a mindset shift. The economy isn鈥檛 against us; let鈥檚 band together and create change in the economy,鈥� she says. 鈥淟et鈥檚 inspire each other.鈥� 

A thriving art community in Calgary

Calgary has been home to Busby for the last 26 years. 

鈥淭he entrepreneurial spirit here is infectious; that鈥檚 what drew me to Calgary in the first place,鈥� she says. 

鈥淚t encompasses everything. From the oil and gas industry to the restaurants here, to the local movie theatre. This spirit really differentiates Calgary from other big cities across North America.鈥�

Moreover, she loves the friendliness of the city. 鈥淲hat I love about the art community in Calgary is that it鈥檚 very non-competitive," Busby says. "We cheer each other on, we go to each other鈥檚 events and we share Instagram posts.鈥�

Register for the event now

Throughout the year, the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial thinking hosts inspiring entrepreneurs on campus as part of the TC Energy Ingenuity Speaker Series. In bringing innovative thinkers and doers to campus, the Speaker Series gives the 抖阴APP导航 community a chance to hear their insights and experiences, sparking conversations about entrepreneurial thinking, innovation and more. The Speaker Series is made possible thanks to the generous support of .

Event details

Think Like an Artist, Build Like an Entrepreneur

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

5:30 鈥� 7:30 p.m.

Hunter Student Commons, 4th Floor

and be among the first 100 attendees to receive a receive a postcard-size print of Busby鈥檚 work.