We were lucky to catch up with Laura-Marie Small recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Laura-Marie , thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Kidcasso was born from my own journey—a journey shaped by challenges, creativity, and the power of mentorship. As a child with a language-based learning disability, school was never easy for me. Traditional methods often left me feeling lost, but I was fortunate to be guided by incredible mentors who helped me discover a new way to learn: one that lived outside the box. They showed me that creativity isn’t just an outlet—it’s a path forward.
From a young age, I’ve always worked with children, and I continue to be inspired by the way they view the world—with wonder, honesty, and possibility. I created Kidcasso to be a space where those perspectives are celebrated and nurtured. A place where children can learn through art, play, conversation, and connection. A place where kindness leads, creativity flows freely, and community is built one brushstroke at a time.
Kidcasso is more than an art studio—it’s a movement grounded in empathy, imagination, and bold thinking. Because now, more than ever, the world needs creative leaders. I’m here to help raise them.
Laura-Marie , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Welcome to Kidcasso!
A colorful, kind, and sparkly world where kids see art, create art, and love art. At Kidcasso, we believe every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued. Through art-making and creative learning, we build confidence, trust, and emotional awareness—encouraging children to think outside the box, trust the process, and take pride in being thoughtful community members.
Our cheerful studios are filled with joyful noise, bold colors, and open hearts—welcoming all children and families into a safe space for self-expression, growth, and connection.
We also believe in the magic of quality products—from art supplies and toys to lifestyle items that spark imagination and wonder. That’s why we created Playcasso, our retail shop housed inside our studios. Families can take the energy of Kidcasso home with beautifully curated tools for creativity, play, and inspired living.
And now, we’re bringing it all to screens everywhere with our YouTube channel, Clubcasso—where creativity builds community. Think Mr. Rogers with a Miss Laura sparkle: full of smiles, thoughtful conversation, playful learning, and artistic adventures that inspire strong minds and healthy communities.
Join us at Kidcasso, Clubcasso, and Playcasso—where imagination leads, creativity connects, and every child shines
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that because I was a natural teacher and caregiver, motherhood would come just as easily to me.
I’ve spent my entire life creating with and learning from children. As the oldest of five and the eldest cousin in a big extended family, I naturally stepped into leadership roles—teaching, mentoring, guiding. So I assumed starting my own family would follow that same path. But life had a different plan.
My husband and I struggled with infertility, and it was one of the most confusing and heartbreaking experiences of my life. I felt broken, unsure of how something that felt so aligned with who I was could be so out of reach. But through that pain, we made the decision to grow our family through domestic adoption—a choice that felt deeply right for us.
Adoption brought us three incredible sons, each with his own unique story, strength, and spark. But even then, I had to unlearn the idea that I could simply “teach” my way through motherhood. Raising children—especially while running a family-owned, community-based business like Kidcasso—isn’t linear. It’s messy, beautiful, exhausting, and humbling.
I had to learn to let go of perfection, to stop trying to “fix” things, and to listen more than I spoke. My children have taught me more than I could ever teach them—about patience, perspective, neurodiversity, identity, struggle, and the beauty of just being present.
Motherhood didn’t come easily—but it came powerfully. It shaped me into a better leader, a better advocate, and a more honest version of myself. My sons are growing up inside the heart of Kidcasso, watching their mom build something with love and vision, but they’re also helping me build something even bigger—compassion, resilience, and a family grounded in truth and trust.
That lesson—of surrendering control and embracing imperfection—continues to make me the mother, business owner, and human I strive to be every day.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
Well, as a matter of fact, I can—and it’s a love story rooted in family. I met my business partner, Emily, when I was just 9 years old… because she’s my baby sister.
Emily was born on October 12, 1987, and from the moment she arrived, she was quietly perfect—shy but observant, sweet but secretly sassy. She looked up to me, mimicked everything I did, and then—like the best artists—made it her own. As sisters growing up in a big, busy family, we definitely had our moments of bickering and being overlooked, but there was always something deeper that connected us beyond just being siblings.
As we got older, our relationship evolved. We bonded over fashion, swapped clothes, shared secrets, and eventually discovered we both had a passion for teaching and working with children. I went on to start Kidcasso, get married, and begin my journey into motherhood. Around that same time, Emily had just graduated college with her degree in education. I offered her a job—at first, just to give myself space to grow into being a mom—but that simple offer turned into the best business decision I’ve ever made.
Fifteen years later, we run Kidcasso side by side. We’re total opposites in the best way—Emily is calm, grounded, and thoughtful; I’m loud, spontaneous, and a little bit wild. She’s a brunette, I’m a bleach blonde—but together, we’re a force. We balance each other perfectly and bring both heart and strategy to the business we’ve built from the ground up.
At the core of everything we do is love—love for each other, love for our work, and love for the children and families we serve. I’m endlessly grateful to be Emily’s big sister, to witness the incredible woman and teacher she’s become, and to have the privilege of building a business and a legacy with her. For us, it all begins and ends with family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kidcassoart.com
- Instagram: @kidcassoartstudio
- Facebook: Kidcasso Art Studio
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@clubcasso101
Image Credits
Jackie Schon Pierce Light Pop Studio
Stephanie Goryl