Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fine arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jenny McCall, Owner of Jenny Meyer-McCall, located in Prairie Village, KS, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am a mixed-media, abstract floral artist. I create art full-time for my art-loving clients. I have built a base that spans the United States by working online through my website and social media over the last 12 years and by personally interacting with clients in the Kansas City Metro. My work includes creating paintings, murals, and a variety of other special projects.

Tell us about yourself

I have a Bachelor of Fine Art with an emphasis in painting, where I learned traditional oil painting. As an art lover and creative, I went to work after school on faux painting, where I experimented with different types of paint, application, and scale. I later worked as a gallery manager for Mike Savage at his gallery, Sav-Art Gallery.

This job prepared me for the business side of art. After almost ten years with the Savages and baby number 2 on the way, I left to paint in my studio and focus on my family. After baby number 3 and then COVID, I took my website up a notch and pushed e-commerce on my site. This allowed me to sell my work across the country and create and release bodies of work, ornaments, prints, etc. I still love showing art at large-scale art fairs, gallery shows, and public art installations.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Creating a style and being passionate about my work. There are so many highs and lows to business, but staying focused and believing in myself and my work keeps me moving forward. This allows me to push my creativity and be flexible for the new projects my clients bring to me!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Putting myself out in public for exposure. As an artist, you are sharing your most personal side, your art. It is a very vulnerable experience. Something that I had to learn and still remind myself is that I do not have to please everyone with my art, but if I enjoy it, someone else will also.

I show my art in person at large art fairs where upwards of 250,000 people will see it on the weekend. I get comments across the board right to my face. I must brush off the negative and focus on why I create what I create. Then relish the compliments.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Find what you are deeply passionate about. Small business is hard and very time-consuming. If you love it, then it doesn’t seem as much work. And if you believe in it, then selling is much easier.
  2. Set goals. This keeps me on track. I definitely wander, but I have something to find my way back.
  3. Always keep going. There will be ups and downs. Keep striving for your goal.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Find other businesses like yourself that you believe in to surround yourself with support. A good support system is so important. Always keep learning. There are going to be new ways, better ways to do everything.

Don’t get stuck in a rut and left behind when there is a way to grow and or be more efficient. Be flexible, open-minded, and willing to push yourself. This will open more doors and help build opportunities.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://jennymeyer-mccall.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennymeyermccall
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennymeyermccall/

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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