Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fine arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Samantha Lewis, founder of Found Penny Studio, located in Livonia, MI, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Found Penny Studio is a fine art and garden art business, recognizing that art should be accessible and affordable. Our customers are anyone who loves to have fun. They have their environment, whether than be home or work, reflect that whimsical personality.

Our core business that funds the fine art side of the business is the garden art. Every creation is designed by Samantha and fabricated by the team at our studio in Livonia, MI.

Tell us about yourself

I originally began making jewelry for myself. I had my ears pierced as a teen and was frustrated by how heavy and uncomfortable the options at the store were. I quickly combined what I learned in making durable, "life-ready" pieces with my love of gardening. Designing delightful critters to adorn my home. My friends started noticing this garden art and wanted to be in the fun and invited others. Now a couple of decades later, this business helped to fund and fuel the fine art side of the business, creating one-of-a-kind upcycled art.

At my core, I'm an upcycling artist fueled by an attitude of environmental gratitude and activism toward a safer future. With a knack for combining elements of industry and nature, my goal is to redefine "junk" that was destined for the dump, gaining new life through a novel perspective. Identifying the appropriate components is a puzzle; I allow favorite materials that include stained glass, wood, and steel to guide the final product, reflecting the second-chance beauty unique to upcycled art.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The expansion beyond referral sales and craft shows to supplying local garden centers, florists, and gift shop retailers year-round.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Awareness of all of the factors that are outside my control. This is especially apparent with recent supply chain quirks and cost increases. I do my best to be prepared for every eventuality but have had to jump through the hoops of changing suppliers on the fly when the source material isn't available and navigating retailer shutdowns.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Be patient with yourself – success doesn't happen overnight, and you will learn what works and what doesn't along the way.
  2. Be open to change – how you first do a process is most likely not how you will do it months or years down the road. You will learn what is best and most efficient by doing it over and over (and over and over…)
  3. Trust the learning process – Your goals may change as you evolve as a business, check in with yourself periodically to see if you are on track and be willing to tweak the amount of effort it may take to get there.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Creating and developing our studio's brand has been so fulfilling as an artist and owner. It's given the consistency of purpose to our growth in the community – local and virtually!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.thefoundpenny.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foundpennystudio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundpennystudio/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.