Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stephanie Larsen, Owner of Stephanie Larsen Art, located in Houston, TX, USA.

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

I am a hairstylist and a visual artist. To me, these are both arts, the main difference being as a hairstylist, I create art that people wear every day. My customers are mostly businessmen in the Greenway Plaza area, but I also love coloring hair and women’s hairstyles. With painting and drawing, my focus is mainly on portraits with some architectural and abstract work.

Tell us about yourself

I’ve always loved making things with my hands and being creative. I can’t remember a time I was any other way. I started cross stitching when I was 9, took painting classes through high school, and went to cosmetology school after getting my bachelor’s degree in psychology. In 2018 I did a special program to become dual-licensed as a barber. And in 2020/2021, I took classes at Glassell to fulfill my childhood dream of going to art school.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Participating in so many shows at well-known venues has been a dream come true, as well as moving into a studio space at Hardy and Nance Studios.

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

Everything is up to me, and I have to be responsible for so many things. Also, getting the right kind of exposure is tough. It’s not about having every person be introduced to my work; it’s about getting my work in front of the right people, the ones that truly connect with what I offer and that want to support me and the work I do.

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

The most important thing is to learn what advice will help you and what advice will not. Discernment is key in everything. And form a network; it is how anyone survives and especially how anyone thrives.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.stephanielarsenart.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanielarsenartist/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myothercanvas/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieklarsen/


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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