Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kari Piazza, Founder of Kari Blueberry Creative, located in Buffalo, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Kari Blueberry Creative, aka "the dot enthusiast," creates hand painted mandala dot art for home decor and gifts. Much of my work is on natural stones, handmade cast stones, wood shelf sitters, serving trays, handmade candle holders, ornaments, jewelry, stickers, magnets, bookmarks, etc. My art can be found in local retail shops and on Etsy. I'm also out there practically every weekend hustling my wares at local artisan pop-up events around the Buffalo area.
Functional art pieces are my favorites at the moment—I love adding my art to something useful, such as a handmade tealight candle holder, serving tray, bookmark, coffee mug, etc. I love the thought of someone being able to use a piece that I made and not just throw it up on a shelf forever. I also teach dot art painting workshops, which have been an absolute blast!
Tell us about yourself
Kari Blueberry Creative was born out of a yearning to find my creative passion, one that I have been searching for my entire life. In 2020, while home on lockdown, I started painting kindness rocks with my seven-year-old son. We hid them all over the neighborhood for our friends to find. It brought us such joy.
My rock painting eventually led me to mandala dot painting; I was absolutely mesmerized by the art form, and I was so surprised at how calming it was for my anxiety and stress relief. I literally had to paint every day, and I haven't stopped since!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am so proud of my dot paint classes- I started them about a year ago, and they have evolved and have really taken on a life of their own. I have steady bookings, and people really seem to enjoy how relaxing and stress-free this art form is. Many have come back for multiple classes, so I love that those attending are really connecting with the art.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
When you're flying solo, you're in charge of everything! The painting and creating are only part of it-all over the paperwork, accounting, taxes, insurance, marketing, social media, the website, my Etsy store, shipping orders, maintaining inventory and displays in my retail locations, etc.
It's a lot of work, and I'm still learning to manage this.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't give up.
- Network! Network! Network! Meet fellow vendors in your area and share your thoughts and ideas. Work together.
- Don't take it all personally (it's hard at times), but business is business. Things will not always work out the way you expect, but this is all part of the journey.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.kariblueberry.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KariBlueberryCreative/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kari_blueberry_creative/
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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