Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Robin Williamson, Founder of The DaVinci Studios, located in Sugar Land, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The DaVinci Studios is a teaching studio for artists. We are dedicated to teaching realist fine art techniques in the tradition of the old masters. We provide a setting where students are taught time-honored techniques in drawing and painting, emphasizing portraiture, figurative, and still life. The DaVinci Studios also hosts open studios where, for a nominal fee, an artist can draw or paint a live model for three hours twice a month. We also provide workshops with visiting guest artists. We bring in world-class master artists to the Houston area who hold multi-day workshops in drawing and painting. Our customers range from emerging artists to accomplished artists.
Tell us about yourself
I actually started out as an Electrical Engineer. (I have a master's degree in engineering). After a successful career in Information Technology, I decided to stay home and raise my family. When my kids were all in school, I opened a small decorative painting/mural business, but I found myself drawn toward realistic fine art. I had dabbled in art all of my life but never had any real training.
I looked around Houston and couldn't really find a place that taught traditional realist art techniques. Eventually, I found a small teaching studio called Liliedahl Fine Art Studio in La Porte, TX. They specialized in realist art training – still life, landscape, and portraiture. I didn't know anything about oil painting and literally showed up the first day with no supplies! I ended up buying everything on the first day and started from scratch. With the first stroke of my brush and the luscious mixing of the paint, I knew this was going to be something I loved. It was truly amazing and mesmerizing to me. I knew I had to learn all that I could about this subject.
Since then, I have studied with many of today's leading figurative artists to hone my skills. After many master workshops, online classes, and hours at the easel, I was finally able to open my own teaching studio, The DaVinci Studios, in Sugar Land, TX. What motivates me every day is the desire to pass on that same wonderful experience that my first and most marvelous teacher, Johnnie Liliedahl, provided me with. My goal is to share everything I've learned with other artists to help them reach their own personal goals for their art.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
In terms of personal accomplishment, it's simply getting those first customers. Nothing feels better than having a new customer sign up. It means that people want what you have, and the word is spreading. A close second is getting our master artists to agree to be guest artists at our school.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Getting the word out about your services! I'm sure any small business owner can relate to the idea of having an amazing service or product that nobody has heard about. My advice is to keep making contacts, networking, and tying into existing customer communities. Just because you "build it" doesn't mean they will come. They will only come after they hear about you. Use various advertising and social media to get the word out.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- It's OK to start small. You don't have to go viral the first week, month, or year. Build slowly as you learn from doing, make adjustments, and then press forward to get more exposure.
- Don't underestimate the importance of planning before you open your company to customers. And be sure to budget for start-up expenses because you'll have plenty of those before you open the doors and start receiving income.
- Remember the vision and passion that started you down this road. Don't let the bumps and detours stop you from realizing your dream. Your passion and vision have to push you past your current circumstances.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.thedavincistudios.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robinwilliamsonfineart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robin_williamson/
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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