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Meet Shellie Small of Pinspiration – Peoria

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Shellie Small.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up my dream was to be a Family Law Attorney – I know oddly specific. It wasn’t until I was minoring in Pre-Law where my career trajectory took a turn. I finished my degree and took time off to obtain my MBA and raise a family. After I obtained my MBA in 2009, I began searching for a career and a place of longevity. I worked a few different jobs, working with start-up and established businesses to put my degree to use. I began working a Corporate job in 2012 working in Auto Claims. I set realistic goals and quickly moved up the ladder, while hitting my goals along the way. In my Corporate Leadership role, I had the opportunity to coach, lead, work with various business processes/practices, and work with the Business Diversity Groups. I was living my true passion, utilizing my skills and I was content with where I was at.

In the middle of 2019, my family and I were visiting a church. During the worship portion and into the sermon, God said to me clear as day that I needed to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, leave my corporate job and start my own business. I was confused and questioning everything. I had a stable, good job with benefits and was the sole provider for my family. I completed 1/3 of my Doctorate Business degree and was going to finish in another year or two…There was no way I could tell my husband this. He would think I was crazy, right!?! He surely would talk me out of it. Out of all my bright ideas, he usually gives me a realistic perspective, so I knew he would shoot this down. After service ended, we got in the car. I told my husband what happened and he said, “Ok.” OK!?! Who says ok? We talked and prayed about it. We knew that it was a message that we needed to follow and that is exactly what we were going to do. We had no idea what it looked like, what it meant, just that we were to follow and it will all work out in the end.

Fast forward, I woke out of my sleep in the middle of the night and found myself browsing Facebook and the internet, as we all do at that time of night. I found Franchise opportunities and began exploring things that sparked my interest from Paint & Sip Studios, Wine Cafes, and anything uniquely fun. My daughters are very artsy, so I definitely wanted a family fun art environment, so they could participate and be part of the legacy. I wanted something that I would be able to help collaborate with other business owners and allow them an opportunity to shine. I rested my search on Paint & Sip studios and talked to my husband about it. We prayed again and began moving forward with our search. We found one that fit our needs. We interviewed, visited and were offered a territory. The only thing we needed to do was sign and pay….BUT…one day a Facebook sponsored ad came up for a Pinspiration Franchise opportunity. I was familiar with Pinspiration, as I visited the original location 2 years prior with some friends of mine that I met on our Community Facebook group. I hopped in a car with some strangers, drove to the other side of town, made a craft (our Jar Crate), drank some wine, ate some snacks and had a blast! The jar crate is something I bring out each time we entertain at our home. Not only did I make a practical craft, there is flexibility to where not everyone has to make the same thing – and who doesn’t love some snacks, libations and drinks to go along with it! I again talked to my husband and it was a no-brainer! We talked to the Pinspiration Franchise Group, were offered the territory, I left my Corporate job in March and the rest is history…well kind of…

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Ummmm…..yes and no…..hahahaha! Taking the leap of faith to leave my Corporate role did not really sink in, until a few weeks after I left. When you are literally living by Faith and not by Sight, it is a whole different feeling! I know deep in my heart that God has a plan for me and my family! I know we are going to be fine. Do feelings of guilt, self-worth, and the Imposter Syndrome sneak in? Absolutely! Do I doubt what I am able to do? YES! Do I want to cry….uh, yeah on several occasions. Do I know that God has a bigger plan for me? 100% Do I know that I will be successful? YES! Supporting a family off a business that has not opened yet, can be a scary thing. Budgeting your personal and business finances to ensure you have enough for all of it, without taking out loans, is scary. We are also going through a pandemic, so the unknown is a huge factor and variable into what is already part of the unknown. I am in the unknown of the unknown…the abyss of the unknown.

Having a Franchise has its perks because you are given a brand, a foundation and learning about things that you may not have thought of before to have a successful business. Opening any business poses its challenges. The factor of a Brick & Mortar location adds a little more spice and obstacles that one may have to overcome. You have a never-ending list that once you check off one thing, it generates five other things. When you think you are almost done, here comes another thing that needs to be done in order for something else to be done. Having a team of people that are skilled in their craft has been a HUGE benefit and I am grateful that my steps have been ordered for them to be in my path/corner.

Please tell us about Pinspiration – Peoria.
Pinspiration is the world’s first Pinterest-inspired, DIY Art Studio, complete with a Jackson pollock-inspired Splatter Room. The first Pinspiration location opened back in 2015. Pinspiration’s unique concept allows customers to come in anytime to make a masterpiece. There is no need to make a reservation, or sign up for a workshop or a class. Customers can choose from dozens of the trendiest DIY projects and everyone can select their own project and create on their own schedule. With a large variety of projects there is something for all ages and all levels of experience. Once the project is chosen the muses deliver a tutorial and a pre-assembled project kit along with the all the high-quality art supplies tools and materials for customers to complete personalize and work at their own pace to complete their DIY.

In addition to the DIY craft studio, the event venue is an Instagramers’ dream. The beverage bar is covered in pennies in a crafty diamond pattern and they serve artisan coffee, tea, charcuterie boards and DIY s’mores making it the perfect venue for birthday parties, corporate events, bridal showers, celebrations and more. Last but not least, the hip studio includes a Jackson Pollock-inspired Splatter Room where customers can suit up, wear goggles and sling paint at canvases to create a messy masterpiece of their own with the option of a glow disco party as well.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Not one thing! If I had to pick something, it would be to start sooner or invest in myself earlier. Even then I do not think I would truly want that. Everything has aligned and helped me be a bigger, better, stronger version of myself in each and every aspect! The support along the way has been tremendous! The education, knowledge and skills I learned along the way have shaped me to be the best version of myself, so I can be omnipresent with my business! I am grounded in my faith and passion for what is to come! What is for me, is for me!

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Image Credit:
Photography Credit: 12.16 Photography & Concepts

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