We recently connected with Cara Heard and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Cara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about your team building process? How did you recruit and train your team and knowing what you know now would you have done anything differently?

I started as the sole employee and realized that in order to grow, I needed to invest in others and gradually scale up. My first hire was another artist, and I quickly learned the importance of setting clear expectations from the beginning. Unfortunately, we faced some challenges initially as we learned those expectations along the way.

As we expanded and brought in a couple more artists, I realized how challenging it was to juggle creative, professional, and personal aspects. That’s when I decided to hire a manager. This decision was crucial in preventing burnout and facilitating our growth. Although we have scaled back since then, I can’t imagine running this business alone again.

In my experience, it’s incredibly important to have a clear understanding of what you want, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and be open to new ideas. Personally, I’m a big fan of the Enneagram system, which has been helpful in understanding the personalities of my employees. For instance, I am a Type 7, while our studio manager is a Type 6. This combination creates a great balance. I tend to take risks and think big, while she brings caution and organization. We push each other in ways that make us both better. I appreciate her attention to detail, as it complements my more spontaneous nature.

I’ve learned some lessons the hard way and have been fortunate to have wonderful people join our work family. They have made a significant impact on me and the success of Lush Art. I’ve also come to realize that employing people aligns with the saying that individuals enter your life for a reason, a season, or a lesson. This has proven to be remarkably true.

I am still learning, and I understand that I will make mistakes along the way. However, I have become much better at trusting my instincts. The times I ignored my gut feelings are usually when significant mistakes occurred. Overall, I am grateful for the journey and the lessons it has taught me.

Cara, 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?

I am a mixed media artist and the founder of Lush Art, located in Perry, Georgia. The studio is dedicated to helping people unleash their creativity and explore the world of painting. With a passion for art and small business that dates back to my childhood, I have honed my skills over the years through practice, experimentation, and strive to always continue learning.

I have worked as a professional artist for over a decade. My style is characterized with my use of color and texture, and I draw my inspiration from nature, music, and the world and issues around me.

Through Lush Art, I share my knowledge and expertise with aspiring artists of all levels, offering in person classes and workshops that cover a range of painting techniques and styles. My mission is to help people tap into their creativity and find joy and fulfillment through the transformative power of art.

I have been accepted by Chateau Orquevaux in Orquevaux, France for a month long artist residency in April 2024 and been awarded The Denis Diderot Artist in Residency Grant to help offset part of the cost of the residency. The artist residency allows the artist time from day to day obligations to reflect, research, and work on their art in an immersive, creative, and encouraging environment surrounded by artists of all styles from all over the world.

I am currently accepting commissions and selling art to help fund this amazing experience.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Consistency is key to our brand. While each class is different, we like for there to be a very consistent set up to make people more comfortable. I also feel like with my voice at the helm of social media it keeps things real and genuine. I think some businesses can be successful with hiring out their social media, but I have not found that to be the case often. I can usually tell when someone is not behind their brand and it is not conducive to building a relationship.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The business is located within a close proximity to a military base with a lot of influx of new residents and leaving of current customers which can make marketing challenging. When customers share their experience on social media it helps spread the word of our business to different groups within our community. Word of mouth helps to build the like, know, trust aspect quicker.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.paintwithlushart.com
• Instagram: @caraheardart and @paintwithlushart
• Facebook: Paint with Lush Art
• Youtube: @paintwithlushart