I've been wondering, do female taxidermist ever have to hide the fact that they are female (when advertising, like on the net, newspaper, etc)? Since most of a taxidermist's clients are male, and taxidermy is a male-dominated profession, wouldn't it make sense that a female taxidermist would have a much harder time succeeding than a male taxidermist if she was open about her gender?
~Seij
Return to Beginners Category Menu
I would never try to hide my gender! Gee, lets start off by telling the customers lies! What a great way to do business. I do very well as a full time taxidermist with my own studio. Ask any one on here about the sucess female taxidermists have enjoyed...
Some of the best taxidermists I know are women. They are usually more artistically motivated than most men, who become taxidermists because they like to hunt & fish. Gender has absolutely nothing to do with producing quality work. The type of guys who would gripe because of a female taxidermists would be undesirable for clients anyway. Rednecks are always slow to pay. lol
I never hide the fact that i am the owner and i am female. In my area this fact has not be accepted very well (see my prior post about needing wholesale..LOL). But for those local customers that i do have-they are proud of the quality and could care less about gender. I have found that the area plays a bigger part on whether or not the females are accepted in this field. Most of my customers are national clientel-not local. I refuse to take customers that will only speak to my husband, and not me (and yes, this has happened on SEVERAL occassions). I am proud of who i am and the job i do-if they can't accept that then let them hit the road!
Sheila Brandon
Brandon Wildlife Studio
just take a look at Amy Ritchie's site. in my personal opinion, i think she does the best work i have seen. maybe i am limited because she is located in the carolinas as i am, but i would definently take anything i needed done to her. i have no problem with a female doing the work, just as long as its done right. remember, i am a male, and i have no issues with a female taxidermist.
kid
taxidermist. I've know four now...and all have been superb artists.
If you try and conceal the fact that you are a woman....what would you tell your clients when they come inside the business location....MY HUSBAND IS OUT HUNTING NOW AND WON'T BE BACK FOR OVER SIX MONTHS!
Only ever had one "gentleman" that seemed to have a problem and he was ...ehemmm...politely asked to leave.Most folks are somewhat surprised but usually have no problem with it.Have even heard.."GREAT, a woman,better attention to detail." It is and will be what you make of it.
and I'm a female. The guys around town (Anchorage, AK) seem to like female taxidermists more than males. I feel special:D
Expecialy if they were mini skirts
would kick my A$$ at most any show! Thats right Jeanette, Jan, Shelia... exc. all of you would make my mounts look like crap! My daughter will be competing in the wta. Show in Feb. 06. she will be competing in both the junior and the open division... she is only 10 years old. (she will be 11 before the show) she is more proud of what she does than I am. Joe
Ha ha I really believe that women have a more artisic eye. Also, I believe that we have more dexterity and patience. There is the less frequent male that might come along and give us a run for our money but I still think that with a long leash(LOL as my boyfriend would put it) we can rule. I used to let the guys that brought in taxidermy work think that my boyfriend was the taxidermist if thats what they wanted to, but my business has grown so fast and furious just by the fact that I am a woman I don't need to that anymore. Alot of guys agree with my thoughts on the patience,artisitc talent and dexterity. Sometimes I get customers just because I am a woman.I personally have a long history as an artist( pretty much all my life) and I think that after all is said and done the customer wants a really nice job done! OH p.s. alot of guys like comming here because they like to b.s. about hunting stories or whatever. I always invite the customers to stop by anytime even if its just to B.S. I think a good personality helps too! this year I took in over 200 pieces in all!not bad for part time.!
A few of the girls here I know couldnt hide the fact that youre female taxidermists, trust me...
Thanks guys for all the replies. Wow, I was surprised by the answers though. I know for a fact that in some other male-dominated professions, women try to hide their idemtity, I thought it would be the same with taxidermist--guess I was wrong! Maybe part of the reason I thought that though was because I DO live amongst rednecks, lol. Some of them are quite biased against females in general, there is no doubt in my mind that they would try to avoid a female taxidermist. I am glad this is not the norm.
~Seij
The problem with a lot of weman taxidermist is they self-destruct. I think I;ll leave it at that.
most women would have a good head start if they decided to make something like....I don't know...maybe....PILLOWS!(LMAO) Good to see ya back Jeanette. Anywho, gender is no factor when it comes to taxidermy. Eyes and brains have no gender(that I know of) and they're the key element. If you can show good work then you'll git er done. You can expect people to ask to talk to the taxidermist when you answer the phone though. It's human stereotypical thinking! Good Luck! Jeff F.
...but on the flipside I wouldn't go out of your way to "promote" it either. Just like any job, your sex shouldn't matter. Put your name and your picture on your website - if you wish. And your name on your business cards, etc. Let your work speak for itself. Promote your work and yourself just like you would in any other business. If somebody decides not to choose you because you're a female then you don't want the imbecile's business anyway...