Work Space is Important

June 24,2008.

I thought I was so unique when I first wrote my biography how I started my business in my kitchen, only to realize that every other mom out there was multi-tasking just like I was when they began.  It makes perfect sense though, where else can you keep one eye on the kids, make sure dinner is cooking and create something just for you?  The business really did not start there though, it started in my head - just where I am sure everyone else's ideas started.  It was such an exciting time - everything was so new, every accomplishment was reason for a celebration.  I still look back at that time of my life as exciting and new - it was thrilling, I could not sleep at all. 

Work Space

I started working in our guest room, moving the pretty bed and decorations out and moving some tables,  paints and tiles in.  Lucky for me my mother is an organizational freak and she took me under her wing while quickly creating a studio.  Husbands beware that a woman and a credit card can do much damage at Lowe's and Home Depot when designing a space. 

This space did not last long though.  I was trying to make product, ribbon tiles and then ship product all in one small space.  I would pile all the boxes in the back of my SUV at the end of the week, drag my toddler son and my infant daughter with me as I raced to Fed Ex before it closed.  I only had about 20 accounts and those accounts kept me jumping.  My process was a mixture of order forms, faxes and personal notes that most times ended up with paint splatters on them.    Painting alone in a tiny room is not fun.

Expanding the Work Space

So the kitchen table that turned into a table in the guest room eventually blossomed into a full blown art studio with artists, and all that.  Mind you the art studio used to be our two car garage.  My husband and father worked weekends and evenings to create a space that could house employees, tiles, shipping department and a ribbon department.  We even had some computer work stations and an Internet connection for every aspect of the business.  We managed to stay in the garage for over two years, expanding, growing and pushing out more tile than anyone imagined we could manufacture in one space.

What Happens in the Garage Stays in the Garage

That was over two years ago that we left our studio...er garage and moved into real office space.  That is when I really started bragging that we were a business.  I was finally able to look around and feel proud of all we had accomplished.  Silly as that was - I felt we had arrived once we rented space and I dismissed the years at home as not really as important.  Looking back I am older and wiser and can see that the early years were even more important in forming the vision that was Jamie's Painting & Design.  Those formative years were what built the foundation of the company.  Whether you work out of your home, out of a large office space or a corner of your bedroom - it is a business and should be celebrated.

That was Then and This is Now

Now that the business is out of the house, the once garage, then studio is now my children's play room.  They are able to play, rough house, read and most importantly create.  The arts and crafts area is well stocked, the paints are plentiful and they love it.  I love being able to come into "their" space and play or create.....and think fondly back on the days when I was able to create here.

Comments

[Lucia]

I love how a home, whether it's a guest room, a kitchen, an attic, a backhouse or a garage, can morph into whatever's needed for creation to take place. My kitchen was the site of the creation of my first novel. My bedroom the site for my second. I love that your business went from your kitchen to your guest room to your garage to your "legit" office space. And you're right. The early years of a start-up - and where you spend them - are the most important ones. Isn't it lovely you had them at home, and not in some impersonal strip mall space?

[Sharon]

Thank you for your honesty and candor about how you got started and what's important to you as the owner of a business. I, too, think it's important to acknowledge comments, so I want to thank you for your comment on the 50-something moms blog.

[Cindy La Ferle]

Having a "room of one's own" is so very important to business owner-moms, whether we are writers or artists or other creative professionals. Congrats on your success and thanks for sharing how your working space grew along with you!

[executive office suites]

That's fun to see that you enjoy starting your business and your children also. As your business grow, you would like to move on a larger office for the better products and work.

-jed

[Kerita Kantz]

My garage used to be my workspace as well. But later on, my hubby and I began transforming our guest room into my "real" craft room. It's so nice that you now have a workspace to call your own. I hope you guys enjoy your new space.

[Jamie Lentzner]

Thanks for the comment. This is actually my fifth work space since starting the business nine years ago. It started in my guest room, moved to converted studio/garage, moved to rental space, moved my studio back home and now I have my own studio on our property.