Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Vanessa Kuenn, founder of Brightside Studios, located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My name is Vanessa Kuenn, and my husband Brad and I own Brightside Studios. Along with great music, an art store, and delicious coffee for the public, Brightside Studios is open to artists of all types and skill levels. We have an open-concept studio catered to most artistic needs. Brightside members (and walk-ins) have access to the entire studio. They can use any of the FREE equipment and supplies to create their next masterpiece or gallery collection.
But most importantly, for the first time, "everyday" artists have a place to call home without renting an expensive private studio — or sacrificing the security deposit in a new apartment because you splattered paint all over the carpet. Weekly classes offer a creative outlet for something more structured or a unique night out with friends, while the café is a place to recharge, study, network, or meet with your next client. It's a bustling atmosphere of color and charm — filled with inspirational music and the fresh smell of coffee. Live music plays on Friday & Saturday nights for anyone and everyone who wants to join us!
Tell us about yourself
My husband, Brad, and I started the concept of Brightside Studios back in 2016. I was pregnant with our first child, and Brad painted a mural for his nursery. What started as him painting something beautiful for our son's room quickly turned into a huge stress reliever and helped alleviate the anxiety he was having at the time. He felt that if this could happen for him, there must be others who would see the same benefit of painting for therapy. And from there, the idea of shelling a warehouse so that artists could make a mess and experiment with color was born. Then that's where I came in. I come from a hospitable Italian-Mexican home and felt if artists are going to come paint, they should have a place to eat! And thus, the Brightside Cafe was born. From there, we decided that if people were going to paint and stay to eat, they might as well have a lounge with some live music - and a classroom for beginner painters to learn! From painting a nursery, the process of creating a dream space for local artists began.
My biggest motivators are my three boys. My husband works hard every day, all day (and then some), to see that our vision for Brightside comes to life. He motivates me to grow with Brightside. I also want to make something that my kids are proud of. What I love about Brightside is that it is bigger than us - it is for our community, for the people of Phoenix, for the artists to feel they belong and not let anything stop them from creating art. I want my kids to see that and appreciate it once they are old enough to understand what it's all for.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Knowing that, I truly did everything I could to ensure that Brightside opened its doors this year. We purchased our space right before the pandemic hit, and we were hit with every obstacle imaginable. From permitting issues to our building close to flooding to tearing our place apart to make the space just how it needed to be. We fixed things and continued. We were also hit with personal obstacles when my husband was diagnosed with cancer in 2020. We knew Brightside Studios needed to exist, and we found the way to make it happen. None of being a new business owner would be considered easy, but we felt we had layers of hurdles to push through. And we did. And for that, I am proud to have made it here.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Knowing to trust your vision and not let things get in the way of that is tough. People will share their ideas with you about how you can do things differently. While some ideas may be great ones, you know the vision of your business better than anyone. It may evolve and grow, but you won't be able to please everyone, so you trust that you are on the right path to growing your business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
One tip I would give is to just go for it. If you are passionate about starting a business, determine what you'd need to start and grow your business, and do it. Things happen that are unplanned, and you may never find the perfect time if you are waiting for it. The second tip would be to fail fast. If something isn't working as you thought, it will change it. Don't spend time dwelling on what went wrong. Learn what you need to fix and do it. The third tip I'd give is to decide on what exactly your vision is for your business. What does it mean to you, what will it mean to others, and iron out all the little details about it. That way, when any doubt creeps into your mind about whether you can do it, you will be certain of your vision and why you're doing what you're doing.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://brightsidestudios.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightsideStudiosPHX/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightsidestudiosphx/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brightsideaz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightside-studios-phx/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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