Today we’d like to introduce you to Garage Door Studio Jen Singh + Rachel Herzog
Hi Garage Door Studio, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all started with Jen hosting ArtoRama, a craft show at her house that drew hundreds of guests. After a few years, Jen and Rachel thought it would be a great idea to open a brick and mortar business to support local artists.
In April 2014 we set up shop in an old warehouse in Avondale’s downtown district. We held summer camps for kids in an adjacent event space that summer to help us begin generating revenue and wait for the buildout. This was the beginning of Garage Door Studio, a handmade boutique and creative space for workshops, classes and events.
Our kids were young, in elementary/middle school, so it was perfect to hold camps and classes for kids as they could attend and help out. They grew up with our small business and naturally became invaluable helpers! Our kiddos loved being part of our creative space, and even better, they got to watch their mom’s build a business. Avondale neighbors were also very supportive, and they loved seeing a new business opening in our growing downtown. Our studio was the go-to creative space for kids and adults along with girl’s night out events and adult workshops. Soon customers from all over the Atlanta area loved shopping with us too, Anytime a unique gift was needed, we were ready to help find a little something handmade and local.
After 3 years, our lease was up and our business was slowly growing, but stagnating. Our location was the main issue. We were tucked off on a side road and daily foot traffic was low. We looked at other locations in Avondale, neighboring Decatur and even Brookhaven, but the answer to our dream was right on the corner, literally. Coincidentally, a prominent corner space with high visibility became available in the historic Avondale Tudor Village! Avondale’s business district was reinventing itself, so taking over this vacant space that was an eyesore for several years was a win-win for everyone.
Looking back, we have learned so much, and we couldn’t have done it without our talented artists, friends, family and community support. We’re approaching our 10 year anniversary in October!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Running a small business is full of challenges, but we’ve done a pretty good job managing the ups and downs. Getting through the pandemic was our biggest hurdle, but it also came with a silver lining. We undertook the huge endeavor of getting our entire store offerings online. Taking photos and writing product descriptions for 70+ artists was a huge project, but it was the perfect time to make it happen. There’s also been hiccups along the way, like check fraud, theft, and business partners breaking away, but from those experiences, we’ve become stronger. Over time, our business partnership has grown stronger and we’re so grateful for each other.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
About Jen:
I’m a painter who loves to paint expressively in oil, acrylic and watercolor. My subjects are usually animals and female figures that evoke wonder and curiosity. I’m drawn to the mystical creatures of the forest where ethereal and magical experiences exist. My animal collections are comprised of studying vulnerability and energy connections to living together on this earth. To me, their soulful gazes translate into creating connections and helping us understand seeing beyond the physical.
I love having the opportunity to show my work in the gallery at Garage Door Studio, but my greatest joy is supporting and mentoring artists and teaching workshops. Building a community of creatives has been completely rewarding and I feel so fortunate to have the space to do this work.
About Rachel:
I am a jewelry artist that incorporates natural stones and talismans into my designs. Each stone or talisman is chosen for its distinctive energy and beauty. My passion for the metaphysical properties of these stones and talismans shines through in my jewelry. I enjoy experimenting with different colors, textures and designs.
I love our handmade shop where customers can explore creations from various artists and connect with the positive energies. Our shop is not just a retail space, but a sanctuary where art and high vibes harmoniously blend. I am truly proud of the artist and customer community Jen and I have built.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
We’ve learned a lot since we opened our doors, but mostly building relationships and authentically helping artists build their brands has been an amazing journey. It’s so important for artists to recognize that they are a brand! When a customer sees their creations in our shop, they want to experience a connection. Each artist has a biography card that the customer can read to learn more about them. When an artist creates a logo, accompanied by thoughtful packaging, it becomes so much easier to merchandise it beautifully.
Our motto is to never burn bridges. Even when we come up against obstacles or disagreements with our artists or each other, we make our best effort to make sure the relationship isn’t damaged. Creating good karma and supporting each other is what we do best.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.garagedoorstudio.com
- Instagram: @garagedoorstudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garagedoorstudio
Image Credits
Liz Stubbs Photography