How many years have you owned a KidzArt franchise?
Just over a year.
How many teachers and students do you have?
I have three Certified Instructors and 100+ children in schools, multiple church youth groups, a couple dozen residents at three retirement centers, and numerous adult events including wine glass painting, collages and silk painting.
How many schools do you serve?
We’ve done classes in three public schools and one private and are actively pursuing new opportunities of both types. We are eager to partner with schools, organizations and businesses in whatever way is needed, whether its providing an art activity, leading a team-building exercise or involving the community in painting a mural.
What is your franchise’s philosophy?
The Shoreview KidzArt philosophy focuses on building relationships within the community that provide opportunities to experience art, and encouragement in the process of self-discovery. Our strengths are our persistence and patient, and both are being honed to a chisel point daily.
What do you believe are the keys to your success?
Significance is my measure of success. My business goal is the same as my personal goal: to make a positive contribution to people’s lives and the community using art which is my passion. This will hopefully be supported by the bottom line but for me it’s about the journey not the destination.
Do you have any advice and tips on how to foster children’s creativity and artistic nature?
Identify your child’s gifts and make opportunities for them to use them. Be authentic in showing interest, providing encouragement and sharing life experiences. It’s an exercise in valuing the whole child, like a hug.
Can you offer any other guidance that parent blog readers would enjoy reading and learning from?
Find the joy in every situation, it’s there; if you don’t recognize it just adjust what you’re looking for.
Do you have any interesting stories about students and how KidzArt has helped/impacted them?
One student needed constant affirmation that she was doing it “right”. When a mistake (which don’t exist in the KidzArt world) found its way into her drawing, we encouraged her to fall back on her creativity and offered help in brainstorming a solution. The outcome had her beaming and the rest of the kids adding the same thing to their drawings.
Do you offer art camps or birthday parties?
Both. Multiple camp themes target specific age groups to appeal to princesses and pirates as well as Tweenz and Teenz. Mini-camps exercise the right brain during school breaks and birthday parties entertain with creativity.
Tell us anything else about you or your franchise.
Running a business is similar to parenting. It stretches you in new ways every day and challenges you to be your best. Every day I learn something new, not always of my choosing, but always valuable.
KidzArt Shoreview serves the Shoreview, Roseville, New Brighton, Arden Hills, Mounds View, White Bear, Dellwood, Vadnais Heights, Falcon Heights, and Lauderdale, Minnesota areas. For more information, visit http://shoreview.kidzart.com/.
