Join us for our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY weekend, Oct 11-13th, 2024.
More than one year in and it feels like yesterday that we said, "Let’s do this." In the late winter of 2023, we started our research and considered, for all of two seconds, purchasing an art franchise. To be honest and fair to ourselves, we are strong, Latina women and we couldn’t see ourselves following the rules of owning a franchise. So we flew solo, and opened our physical location at 350 Riverside Avenue, Bristol, CT, on October 13th, 2023.
From Marlo:
I think we are more like tweens, lol. Business ownership is a wild ride, and just like a tween, it is amazing and uncomfortable all at once. I have learned to pivot more than I was prepared for, and I am pretty easy going person. In the face of a full schedule of winter bookings, very unexpected as a new business, we decided to take a chance, and expand our physical space to have 2 splatter rooms. We initially planned to lease the entire space, but opted for a more cautious approach when we signed the lease in the summer of 2023. Nonetheless, we recently expanded by adding a second splatter room earlier this summer. To date, we have received over 1000 bookings, leading to the acquisition of the second space.
We built this business on the notion that our families would be supportive and equally, not need us as much and it is true, my family pushed me out the door. I didn’t need much pushing, lol. I gave up two careers so that I could homeschool my kids and raise a family. By the end of the pandemic, I was ready for a new beginning. Even though I positioned myself for an art teaching position, which was a safe choice, I chose this! I chose to be wild and shoot for a higher dream.
I am absolutely in love with our company. It all started with a desire to build our own art space and longing for a sense of community. The glee that comes from hearing our customers express their happiness in our space while enjoying an art making experience, from silly sounds of fun, to full sentences of excitement, to random tag words like #seeyouinthestudio #mesmerizing #satisfying #fire It is satisfying for me and that is worth gold. Thank you, mis amigas, mis jefas ♥️, Brendaliz and Irmie.
From Irmie:
When we first started this journey, it felt like a dream on the horizon. I had always aspired to be a business owner, but as a married woman, mom of two teens, and working full-time in technology, I knew that the only way to make it happen was to dive in with both feet and rely on the support of my amazing business partners and friends, Marlo and Brendaliz.
None of us really knew what to expect along the way. We've learned so much, and I know there's still plenty more to learn. But there’s a deep sense of pride that comes with walking into the studio first thing in the morning, flipping on the overhead lights, and seeing all we’ve built together. The smiles of our customers, the looks of wonder when they try something new, and the return visitors who can’t seem to get enough of the experience—even after multiple visits—are what make it all worthwhile.
For me, the timing couldn’t have been better. My kids are old enough now to pitch in at home, giving me the space I need to dedicate to this dream. Through this process, I’ve realized I had already picked up a lot of the skills I needed along the way. In many ways, I’ve been preparing for this moment my whole life.
I’ve also gained a deep respect for small business owners everywhere. Keeping the lights on, literally and figuratively, takes constant hard work. This isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it situation. You have to keep pushing, constantly reinventing, and always innovating to keep things moving forward. It’s been a rewarding challenge, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
From Brendaliz:
Taking chances can be scary with leaving NY and all, I knew our move to CT was definitely that, scary. Relationships and community are a value of mine and my family. I wondered what that would be like in a new state, in a new neighborhood with new neighbors. Very quickly that all came together and it was shocking and an answered prayer. Dreams were shared amongst new friends and taking a risk in business ownership became less terrifying.
Walking through our studio space, I am in a constant awareness that I have stepped into a dream. That dream is now tangible and creating ripple effects of laughter and creativity amongst strangers. What a gift!
It’s hard to believe that a year has flown by since we took a chance on this adventure together. With every challenge we face, we learn, pivot, and dream bigger. Someone once told me that a goal without a plan is just a wish, and we’ve turned our dreams into steps that have led to real achievements. I am proud of what we’ve built, and as we nurture our vision and support one another, I hope to inspire others to pursue their own dreams.
Si se puede!!
Together, we’re proving that it’s possible to turn aspirations into reality—one step at a time!
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