Conversations with Lisa Cliff

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Cliff.

Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After 20 years in corporate, I simply had enough after the company I worked for was sold to a competitor. I am also an artist and dreamed about making a living selling my fine art. About the same time art parties were just heating up and I was in the “think about” mode. Then during a girls trip to Nashville, I was accidently “(divinely)” driven to a paint and sip business. I had been been telling my friend about how I was “thinking about it” the whole drive down. We were walking down town Nashville looking for a restaurant when I stumbled upon the paint and sip studio. I inquired about the cost and ask if there was room for 2 and was told no, sorry we are sold out. So I asked about the next day and she said we’re sold out tomorrow too. My sister friend and I looked knowingly at each other and smiled. We left still looking for the address and learned the restaurant that we were looking for was 6-8 blocks away from where we had just parked. Too far to walk. I took this as a sign. As soon as I returned home I begin researching and writing a business plan. I did my first test party at popular restaurant at a mall only about a month later. It didn’t go as smoothly as it I wanted it too but everyone seemed happy and I took notes. Then I found a local coffee shop/bar, Zanzibar Brews that allowed me to come in with a paint party once a week. Then I added a few nights at other venues around town and started doing night clubs. This was fun for my groups but the music was too loud to hear my instruction. I knew If I wanted to stay in the business I needed to have a brick and mortar building. I wanted to create a specific relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. I started looking for and found and what I called my “starter studio” it was off the beaten path but the rent was very affordable. It was close to a bowling alley which I thought would attract more customers but it really never did; I stayed there for 3 years and moved to my current pace and have been there for 7 years. My current location is a lot more visible in a nice shopping center and what I hear customers say about my studio is that “Painted Pearls has a vibe.” What started out as a means “to sell art to make a living” turned into burning passion and a desire to make a difference in the world by spreading positive healing vibes thru art, one canvas at a time .

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wish I could say it was a smooth road but like a lot of businesses’ outside forces like competition, covid and location location location does affect my business. As much as I like my new location, the plaza where my shop sits does not get a lot of walk up traffic. It sits back on the road and you can barely see the shop signs from the road. Also there are two franchise operations in Columbus & with their deep pockets and effective marketing that are very successful, attracting most of potential customers. Also Covid also made a huge difference but we were able to do paint parties over Zoom however, even after the shut down ended, folks were slow to come back.

Another challenge has been the rising costs of art supplies and utilities. A lot of my art supplies are imported from other countries which are now being tariffed and they pass those tariffs on to consumers. Although I am able to buy these supplies at a discounted vendor rate from craft stores, the rise in cost does not make up for the difference. Blank canvas pricing for instance, has been steady but paint has gone up up 25%. The building of my company is an old building and it is hard to heat and hard to cool and electricity has also gone up 20%. In spite of this, pulls on the economy in general, folks have less discretionary income, we have managed to hold our pricing without instituting price increases for the last 3 years. We are also living in a time of constant chaos in world, which makes consumers reluctant to part with their hard earned dollars; that is why we go out of our way to create a positive & peaceful art experience.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have a paint and sip company and I am also a real estate agent. The paint & sip feeds my soul with warmth and creativity; helping people to find balance and peace and the real estate side feeds my desire to help people rise and achieve. Real estate also allows me to continue to pursue my fine art. My fine art defines who I am and who I want to be. It provides a way for me to communicate and add my version of beauty to the world, allowing me to live and be the full expression of myself.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
You call it luck, I call it favor. I have always been blessed and inspired. The name of my business llc is, “Blind Faith Fine Art” for we walk by faith not by sight. Even in my past corporate life I always felt that I was being led. That position was the position of a lifetime, I was able to travel the USA and made a great living and great relationships. It was wonderful…until it wasn’t. In life you have to recognize when its time to move on, it is a badge of growth. To be successful you have to walk by faith not by sight. You have to have faith & 100% belief in yourself, even if you don’t you have to act like it. You have to be intentional about your life choices and allow grace/favor to see you through. How I was led to Painted Pearls Paint Parties is also a blessing, I explained how I was steered to paint parties. Once I started thinking about it, the more I would hear mentions of paint and sips, happened upon articles, catching a tv show and even having people that I hardly know suggesting that I look into it. It wasn’t luck it was predestined, I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. For instance once I set my mind and heart to find a larger more visible space, I kept being led back to the space that I believed that I could not afford. It was scary but my sales rose to the level that I needed to afford that space. I believe its so much more than the “luck” or being at the right place at the right time. It’s about believing and stepping out on faith. It’s about trusting the process and living (being) “divinely” blessed & favored!

Pricing:

• $35 per person
• $45 for offisite events

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paintedpearlspaintparties.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paintedpearlsmizzlisa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paintedpearlsmizzlisa/