All the arts we practice are apprenticeship. The big art is our life.
M.C. Richards
Marketing Masterclass
The Van Gogh Entrepreneur:
Building a Billion-dollar Legacy from Nothing
Ideal for women’s conferences, marketing forums, entrepreneur groups
Jo van Gogh’s extraordinary story is a testament to entrepreneurial genius. After inheriting hundreds of “worthless” paintings from her brother-in-law, Vincent, Jo defied social and economic pressures to build a market for his art. This talk will explore the 12 specific strategies she used to overcome challenges familiar to modern entrepreneurs, such as volatile markets, intense competition, and burnout. Ultimately, Jo’s journey offers a practical blueprint for anyone looking to build a brand, find their niche, and turn their ideas into a lasting legacy.
Marketing Masterclass Testimonials:
"Joan Fernandez brought a fresh and deeply, moving perspective for our Entrepreneur’s Week at the Wedge Innovation Center with her presentation, ‘The Van Gogh Entrepreneur.’ She has a remarkable ability to connect creativity, resilience, and vision in a way that feels both meaningful and practical for entrepreneurs. Her message resonated deeply with our audience, leaving people inspired and thinking differently about what they’re building."
—J. Scot Heathman,
Chief Executive Officer, The Wedge Innovation Center
"Joan delivered a fascinating presentation that somehow covered art history, marketing concepts, entrepreneurial tools, economic principles, and women's studies all in one sitting, wrapped in a motivational talk. Her content was engaging and left the audience with new academic insights."
—Tracey Bosman,
Visiting Faculty, Marketing
Principia College
"Joan - you are a dynamo. I loved hearing your talk to the Marketing Class... You brilliantly tied every Marketing skill and contemporary technique to Jo's intuitive style, bucking all the obstacles and more to create a phenomenal success and a legacy of wealth. Your presentation style is riveting."
—Penelope Schmidt,
Founder of Moon Beam Initiatives, LLC and Schmidt Bingham Gallery