Express, Explore, Experiment - Let's Create Art Club
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in art education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rachel Bray, Founder and Owner of Let's Create Art Club, located in Swindon, Wiltshire, UK.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Let's Create Art Club. We offer primary-aged children the opportunity to express, explore and experiment through a wide variety of mediums and activities through our after-school and out-of-school art clubs and workshops. I'm really excited to be expanding my offer to both younger children as well as adults and seniors in 2023.
Tell us about yourself
I have always loved drawing since a child, I went to Swindon School of Art and Design for 4 years after secondary school and currently take commissions for portraits, so I personally have a love of creating and wanted to share it. I ran my first weekly art club for x15 children just before the first lockdown in 2020. My own children were at school, and I finished work early on a Friday, so I just thought it would be something nice for the kids to choose something different.
Unfortunately, all schools stopped holding clubs run by external providers for a long time because of Covid, but once we were allowed back in, our little art club grew very quickly, and over the course of 2022, we have grown to x130 children a week with another school soon to be confirmed which will take us to x150 weekly mini artists!
The kids give me motivation. Knowing I am able to help create a safe, fun, friendly space for them to use their imaginations in a time where screens are such a big part of their lives means a lot. I'm so aware of how quickly they grow and how precious childhood is, and whilst they don't get the freedom I experienced as a child of the 80s, I feel like it's my bit towards helping them have great experiences as a child of the 20s!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Turning a small art club into what is now a business, reading the amazing reviews and kind words from parents and their children, and receiving handmade cards and notes, usually of thanks, in the club from the kids.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Moving past any fear you have about where the potential growth is.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- It doesn't matter how small you start. Just make a start.
- If you are working full-time whilst building something, start your day earlier, do as much as you can in the evenings, and plan/schedule everything in order to not drop a plate.
- Inevitably, you will drop a plate(!) when you do, accept it, learn from it and move on!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.letscreateartclub.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letscreateartclub
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letscreateartclub/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbray1/
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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