Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fine arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Erin Scaia, Owner of Purple Dog Art Studio, located in New Albany, OH, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Purple Dog Art Studio, and my customers are children and adults who want to create art.
Tell us about yourself
I've always loved making art and wanted to share my passion and knowledge of art with others. I worked as an art teacher for the previous owner of Purple Dog with aspirations to one day have my studio.
About six months into working at Purple Dog, the owner told me she was ready to sell the business, and I said I was interested. The rest is history. My motivation to bring art to people lies in my belief that art-making benefits everyone, regardless of skill level. Art fosters creativity, self-expression, and self-awareness.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment was finding ways to continue bringing art to people during the pandemic and lockdown.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Finding leisure time! Most of the work and day-to-day operations to maintain my business fall on me, so I must stay on top of things, and there's ALWAYS something that needs to be done. I'm working on creating a better work-life balance so I don't feel guilty about spending time on personal hobbies and interests.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start small. Purple Dog started as art classes taught out of the original owner's basement, growing from there.
- Know your target market and promote your offerings to that audience.
- If you run your own business, make sure it's something you love doing because it requires a lot of time, effort, and dedication. If you aren't passionate about what you're doing, it will drain you instead of fulfilling you.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://purpledogart.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purpledogartstudio
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/purple-dog-art-studio/
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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