Building a business is rarely a straight path, and mine certainly wasn’t. My entire career has been rooted in the arts — first in the high school classroom and later in museum administration. Those years taught me how deeply creative work can impact people, and they quietly built the confidence I needed to eventually create something of my own. However, my early attempts were far from polished.
PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF
I tried opening my business twice before it ever truly took shape. In 2014, I shared a warehouse studio with another artist. It lasted six months. I went in blind and without a plan.
In 2016, I tried again — a small space where I taught classes and sold my jewelry. It was another hopeful leap, but still without the structure needed to sustain it. Looking back, those early “failures” taught me more than early success ever could.
During the pandemic, while working in nonprofit administration, I realized how deeply unhappy I had become. I quit and returned to teaching art from my home. That experience reminded me of what mattered most: creating a space where people could explore creativity with support and freedom. Within months, another opportunity appeared — a tiny shared downtown space in early 2021. It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to rebuild with intention.
GROWING AND EVOLVING
By January 2022, we had completed our first full year and moved into a larger location nearby, tripling our footprint. From there, the growth shifted from accidental to purposeful. What began as a way to teach a handful of students and sell handmade jewelry slowly evolved into a community art center — one that supports local artists, encourages creative exploration and brings people together.
Now, five years into this chapter, I’ve learned that stability doesn’t come from the size of a space or the number of programs offered. It comes from planning, systems and the willingness to adapt when something isn’t working. I’ve also learned that growth is most sustainable when it’s intentional rather than reactive. There were many moments when quitting felt easier, but each time, something meaningful appeared around the corner — a reminder that perseverance is often the quietest part of entrepreneurship.
MY BEST ADVICE: ALLOW YOURSELF TO LEARN
If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone starting a business, it would be this: Allow yourself to learn in public. Your early attempts don’t have to be perfect to be valuable. Stay curious, stay flexible and root every decision in your purpose. The logistics can be learned. The courage to begin — and begin again — comes from experience.