
The En Factor Podcast features conversations with entrepreneurs who have started, stumbled and succeeded.
On this week’s episode of the En Factor, we are excited to be joined by celebrated Canadian artist and creative business mentor, Tim Packer. Tim had a lifelong dream of making a living off of his artwork, but had given up on himself after only a few years of not being satisfied with his talent and potential as an artist after college. He left his dream to join the police force for nearly 20 years, but it was an introduction to the concept of a growth mindset when everything changed for Tim.
Tim began pursuing his passion for art again in 1997 while remaining in the police force as a detective for a few more years before leaving law enforcement to live out his dream and build out his art business, Tim Packer Fine Arts. And it wasn’t long until Tim’s paintings were being featured in and winning awards at all sorts of different art shows across North America.
Tim Found found lots of success through his work, but also expanded his revenue stream by opening his own online store and growing into social media and selling directly to consumers. But after some time, Tim’s mission grew into the desire to help other aspiring artists achieve the same success he did, but also helping a create smoother path for them to get there. This led him to starting a Youtube channel for artists, as well as opening the Tim Packer Art Academy as a way to further give back to other artists pursuing their creative careers.
You don’t have to be artist to tune in and join us for this enlightening and motivating episode with Tim, as he and Dr. Rebecca White dive into topics of conversation including the importance of the word “yet” and having a growth mindset, the decisions behind Tim’s journey from art to law enforcement and back to art, and Tim’s advice for listeners on recognizing opportunities and finding your true passion. You won’t want to miss a moment of Tim’s incredible story and advice!
Key Words – Arts Entrepreneurship, Career Transitions

Chapters
00:00 • Introduction: Welcome to the En Factor!
00:51 • Introducing Today’s Guest: Tim Packer
02:50 • Today’s Mindset Moment: Mentorship Doesn’t Have to be Formal
03:33 • En Factor Plus: Coming Soon!
04:15 • Welcome to the En Factor Tim!
05:07 • Tim’s Journey to Art and Entrepreneurship
11:30 • The Importance of the Word “Yet”
15:11 • Tim’s Perspective on Failure Being Necessary
17:50 • How Tim Recognizes Opportunities and Deals with Hardship Through a Gratitude Perspective
23:10 • How to Find Your Passion: Start Taste Testing!
26:10 • The Biggest Factors Holding People Back from Entrepreneurship
32:05 • The Importance of Resiliency and Delaying Gratification
36:04 • The Inspirations Behind Tim’s Art Journey
43:40 • Turning Art into a Business
46:25 • How Tim is Giving Back to the Art Community
55:00 • Tim’s Final Piece of Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
57:40 • How Our Listeners Can Learn More About Tim
59:45 • Wrapping Up with Dr. White: Thank You for Listening to the En Factor!
Episode takeaways
- Tim Packer, former police detective, left his secure law enforcement job to chase and live out his lifelong dream of a successful creative career as an artist.
- The growth mindset is crucial and got Tim back into pursuing his art career. He highlights the idea that talent can be developed over time and is never fixed.
- Failure is a necessary part of the learning process, every successful entrepreneur deals with some form of failure along the way.
- Creativity is an innate human desire that often gets suppressed.
- Tim emphasizes the importance of recognizing and seizing opportunities and keeping an open mindset.
- Reflecting and showing gratitude played a significant role in Tim’s resiliency when facing hardship.
- Tim advises that finding your passion requires exploration and trying new things, similar to doing a taste test to figure out your favorite food.
- Mentoring others can be one of the most rewarding aspects of success, something Tim found lots of value in leading him to start his own Youtube and art academy.
The En Factor® Podcast
Conversations with Entrepreneurs
Hosted by Dr. Rebecca White
Our audience of aspiring and established entrepreneurs are inspired to persevere throughout their entrepreneurial journey. You will hear first-hand stories of success, resilience through failure, and how to become a master in your field.



