Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts and craft but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Susan Gainen, founder of Nanoscapes & Other Visions LLC., located in Saint Paul, MN, USA.

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

I am a Whimsical Wildlife Documentarian and Abstract Painter. Creatures come to my studio, sit for portraits, tell their stories, and each species-specific snack. As an Abstract Painter, my guiding principle is "every piece looks better because of the pieces that surround it: a Liberal Olde Broad's wish for people to be kind and behave."

Tell us about yourself

My first art memory is as a 3-year-old who wanted to finger-paint all over everything all of the time. My Mother stopped that with a box of crayons. But I never stopped creating. Having discovered the magic of detail as a 6th grader who got glasses after an odd Girl Scout bird-watching trip where I saw nothing -- not a red or a bluebird that all of my pals saw -- I worked through scout and summer camp crafts, hippie crafts, needlework, and, finally, painting. I make art every day. I want to share my work, my optimism, and my joy in making art.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I've published four whimsical creature books:
Meet the LLLamas (their spelling -- don't argue with them)
The Small Friends' Chronicles
Max-the-Cat and the New World of Cats and The Backyard Roosters of Saint Paul. I'm still making art -- exploring new spaces, new creatures, and new tools and techniques.

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

Doing the "not fun" things: bookkeeping.

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

  1. Love what you do.
  2. Find something that people need to know or to do or to eat or to use in some way.
  3. Talk to people. Lots of people. Listen to what they say. Evaluate their advice. Just because it's free doesn't mean that it is always good.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Instead of tossing and turning, get up at 3 am and do something you love.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.susangainenartist.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NanoScapes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanoscapes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nanoscapes
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-gainen-99648a1a2/

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.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.