How did you get started?

Blank Canvas was created as the result of a beginner’s paint class I attended as a birthday gift.

I was so focused on getting the painting PERFECT I missed the FUN. A month later, I took a second class at a different venue, and that time around I was determined to have fun. I gave myself permission to just BE in the moment. I looked at the blank canvas in front of me, inhaled, exhaled, and created my imperfect masterpiece. ​Thus “Blank Canvas” was born. I created Blank Canvas to be a space that provides my guests with the ultimate opportunity for “me time.” It is a place of relief for those who are so consumed with life that they forgot how to have fun.

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Tell us about your business and what you do. What sets your business apart from others?

Blank Canvas is a "Paint and Sip" Studio. We combine fun, energetic art classes with your favorite beverage resulting in the ultimate socializing experience. We pride ourselves in providing our guests with a relaxed space where they can unwind and discover their own creativity. As a BYOB venue, you are free to bring the drinks and snacks of your choosing to consume during your art class. ​ Our weekly painting sessions are open to the public. We also host private parties for team building, birthdays, holidays, bachelorette parties, date nights, girls' night out and more! What sets Blank Canvas apart from other Paint and Sip Studios is that our instructors are not only the class facilitators, they are also the creative minds behind each piece. This means, when our guests are learning how to create each painting, they are actually learning the true steps, and techniques, the artist used when the painting was initially created.

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What challenges have you faced along the way?

I believe the challenges that I have faced are those that are very common among new businesses. One major challenge in particular would be marketing and promotions. There are so many steps involved in getting the word out that we are here and open for business, and it has been difficult to decide which sources can actually do that without there being a catch in the fine print or an outrageous cost. My biggest challenge to date has been inconsistent class sizes and attendance. Although I know that, often times, this is out of my control, I still tend to question myself. I sometimes find myself asking questions like “Did I pick the right location?” “Is the sign big enough?” or “Should I change my website?” Which circles back to marketing and promoting the business.

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What is your source of inspiration/motivation?

My source of inspiration and motivation is that I did not choose the business, the business chose me. I have no drawing or painting skills. My background is actually in accounting, and for the last 5 years, I have owned and operated a tax preparation office. For my birthday my family made reservations for an art class. This class ended with the paint brush literally shaking in my hands. We live in a world where we are consistently judged on our imperfections, and my goal was to create the perfect painting. Instead of having fun and building memories with my family, I completely stressed myself out. I soon realized that I had spoiled the celebration, and I made reservations for a do over at a different venue. This time, my youngest daughter made me promise to have fun. I agreed. I looked around and was amazed to see how the artist could take a blank canvas, a paint brush and paint and create something so beautiful. That was the moment that changed my life. I was now able to enjoy my famiy, as we laughed and teased each other's art work. I was also inspire by how they were bold enough to change the colors to display their own personalities. Even though we all attended the same class all of our paintings were different and imperfect, and it was okay. The world did not end. Immediately following the paint class, I shared with my family that I was changing the tax office into a painting studio. The same day we came up with the name Blank Canvas and purchased the website domain name. My motivation is my family, my inspiration is all of the imperfections in the world.

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What are you most proud of?

What I am the most proud of is that every week I get to create an atmosphere where my guests can come and have fun in a judge free zone. I get to host and be a part of unforgettable moments and memories that are created in my studio. When proposals happen or when mothers and daughters come to have a getaway, I get the honor of knowing that Blank Canvas played a part.

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What words of encouragement or advice would you give to other women dreaming of starting their own business or embarking on a new personal or professional project?

Just do it! If it’s a dream of yours or a passion of yours, know that you are fully capable of making it happen. On top of that, find the person or people who will tell you that you CAN do it and will cheer you on every step of the way until you’ve done it. When I decided to start my business. My daughter gave me a shadow box. In it, she put $20.00 to serve as her investment in me. The quote on the shadow box stated "Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try." I had my own personal cheerleader...it is important that you find yours.