Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ellie Delaney, Owner of Canvas Therapy, located in Hinesville, GA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is called Canvas Therapy, and I ship canvas paint kits to people who are looking for something fun to do. My kits include everything you need to paint the picture you choose and purchase on my website, of which there are over 150 to choose from at all levels of skill - beginner, intermediate, and advanced. My customers like to try something new, preferably in the comfort of their own homes. Some will buy multiple kits to paint at a birthday party or family gathering.
Tell us about yourself
I love helping people and sharing with them - so I started my business to do just that! I like sending out paint kits to people who are interested in painting, who love to paint, or who just need a break to do something fun. At the onset of the pandemic, when most people were homebound, studies showed depression and anxiety were at an all-time high. I wanted to share a business with those who were able to shop online and have products mailed to them, to do something fun and different.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been to take my paint kit creations from single online purchases to a subscription-level service - where you sign up and choose the length of your subscription and receive a new kit each month you are on the program.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The most difficult thing for me was putting myself out there - would people really be interested in what I have to offer? I opened my business in 2020 in the middle of the first year of the pandemic because I saw a need in people who were forced to stay home, work from home, or attend school from home, who needed an outlet of creativity - to relax, to enjoy, to take a break from everything happening around them.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Research your website options and the laws in your town and State to ensure you are registering your business correctly. This takes some time but is very important.
- Put yourself out there on social media. Show people what you offer.
- Plan for inventory and potentially unexpected costs. Research pricing for your product and shipping costs.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.canvastherapy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CanvasTherapy2020
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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