How I Would Start Over & Grow My Mural Business from $0 to $50K in 2026

If I had to start completely over with zero mural experience, zero clients, and zero momentum in 2026… what exactly would I do to rebuild my mural business back up to $50,000 in the first year?

I break down the exact steps I’d take—numbers included—to go from day-one beginner to a fully booked muralist with steady income and growing confidence. Whether you’re brand new to murals or looking to reboot your art business, this is the roadmap I wish I had when I started.

Let’s talk numbers first.

To make $50,000/year, here’s what it actually looks like:

• $136/day if you worked all 365 days

• OR $200/day working 5 days a week

• Which equals $1,000/week — or just two $500 jobs per week

Two small $500 projects each week is incredibly doable when you know where to look and how to market yourself.

STEP 1: Start With $500 Jobs

Your first goal is simple: book consistent $500 projects. These usually include:

• Kids’ rooms

• Bathrooms

• Interior accent walls

• Small logos for businesses

• Window art

• Simple custom pieces

• Anything custom you can complete in about two days

Why start here?
Experienced muralists rarely want $500 jobs.
These beginner-friendly projects help you build a portfolio, gain confidence, and learn to work efficiently.

STEP 2: Raise Your Prices as Soon as You’re Booked Out

Once you have one month of $500 jobs lined up, you’re done taking $500 jobs.

At that point, $500 naturally becomes: $700… then $850… then $1,000…

You don’t need a new year, a new portfolio, or a special reason. You can raise your prices mid-year, mid-month, or even mid-week. Your schedule will tell you when it’s time.

How do you actually GET these jobs?

NOW Marketing (focus on this first):

• Social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn depending on your area)

• Posting in local Facebook groups

• Sending DMs to local businesses

• Reaching out to interior designers

• Public art calls

• Thumbtack Pro (the fastest way to get ready-to-buy clients)

LATER Marketing (you don’t need this yet):

• Website & SEO

• Referrals

• Separate art accounts

• Fancy branding

• Business cards

These things matter later—but beginners often hide behind them and slow themselves down.

Feeling overwhelmed? Here’s how to simplify it.

NOW Strategy:

• Build a portfolio

• Say “yes” to most things

• Try out different styles

• Work with a variety of people

• Practice, gain speed, build confidence

• Network everywhere

LATER Strategy:

• Niche down into your signature style

• Choose your ideal customer

• Create a targeted marketing plan

• Specialize and scale

STEP 3: Shadow an Experienced Muralist

Shadowing—even for a single day—is one of the fastest ways to shorten your learning curve. You’ll learn:

• The tools and supplies they actually use

• How to scale artwork onto a wall

• Which brushes and rollers make the job easier

• How to paint efficiently

• How to handle real client interactions

• What a full mural workday actually looks like

One day of shadowing can save you months of trial and error.