Make Things, Feel Good - Cupixel
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Elad Katav, Founder and CEO of Cupixel, located in Newton, MA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our company is Cupixel, an app that pairs cutting-edge technology with artist-led classes so everyone can experience the joy and relaxation of creating art. Our AR-powered smart tracing technology casts outlines or full images of the art that people want to make onto any surface for people to trace and eventually draw, paint (or use to decorate cookies!). Looking through their phone, people can see their pencils or other art tools on the page as they begin to create art, following along with the outline on the screen.
Our AI-powered photo-to-outline conversion technology allows users to upload their own photographs and convert them into image outlines that people can turn into art. Our artists lead the users through each step of the process, from tracing their outline to adding color, shading, depth, and details to their creation. We have tons of classes, or as we call them, experiences, on the app that people can watch, ranging from realism — where people create realistic portraits over the course of several experiences — to manga, pencil sketching and shading, cookie decorating, pet portraits, paint-night style painting, home decor, and more!
Our customers are anyone who wants to create art. We have experiences geared towards kids and families, and others that are more challenging or, like the realism course, need to be done over several sessions. We have users who are established artists and users who have never held a paintbrush before. Anyone who wants to create art can use Cupixel.
Tell us about yourself
About 10 years ago, while working as a COO for an enterprise startup, I was walking by an art gallery in London when I saw a cool piece through the window. Needing an outlet of some sort, I decided to give it a try and, mistakenly, thought that I could make something similar (or even better). The result can generously be described as a “sculpture” of wine bottle corks. It was not good (some might say “very bad”). Nevertheless, it felt good to create something myself, and I knew that there had to be a way that nonartists like me could make art. So I decided to dedicate my time (and my savings) to building a company around this initiative: experience - art - creation.
Which brings us to today. The app that our team built enables anyone to make art with Cupixel. Seeing what some of our users are creating and sharing with us is amazing. At the same time, we know that Cupixel has so much more to offer, and we are constantly working on ways to expand on the different types of classes we offer, the mediums people can create with, the surfaces they can create on — the possibilities are endless, and I wake up each morning excited about what comes next.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment has been building a team and getting them excited about the mission. This is the recipe for success and the best solution for your challenges while building a new product. We have people in Tel Aviv, Boston, and Utah, and we are expanding all the time - exciting.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Getting to the point we are at now was not necessarily a linear path. What started as an idea to create art using technology has gone through multiple iterations before landing at the point we are at now. We had to put in a lot of hard work and mistakes — before the company that we’ve become could come to fruition. It has been, at times, challenging, but we have learned from everything we have done and come out with a clearer vision of our goals each time. Just like football, you have to move forward - no matter what - even if sometimes you actually go back…
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find an idea you are passionate about, where you think there is an opportunity to create something unique that fills a need that is preferable to your need and your passion.
- Surround yourself with smart people who can execute things you are not good at or are less passionate about.
- Find people who have started their own businesses and go through a learning process. You will be surprised how people love to share their experiences.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://cupixel.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cupixel/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eladkatav/
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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