Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elsje Bos. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Elsje thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

It took me several years to get to the point where I could make a full-time living from my paint party business. I was ready after two years, but then the pandemic hit. Luckily I was able to start doing virtual events during this time, which really helped me to be able to keep my business. I am so appreciative of this, especially having seen so many small businesses not being able to survive the social distancing and close-downs. Since the pandemic, I’ve done approx. eighty virtual events. I still get calls for them on occasion, but now they are more from people wanting to connect doing something fun together with friends and family in other states. I’ve been blessed that things started picking up with in-person events again earlier this year.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I have always been creative and artistic since I was a child. In high school I was the president of the art club. After I became a mom, I started a successful mural painting business. After moving out of state, I had quit painting for several years. Then, after another out-of-state move, I attended a paint and sip event, and was instantly hooked. I applied to become an instructor for this same company, where I taught painting events for two years. Then I moved once again, this time to Texas, where I’ve been ever since. I worked as an instructor for two “sister” paint studios in the San Antonio area.

After the studio closed, I began thinking about starting my own paint party business, because I could not picture myself doing anything else. I loved what I was doing! Through word of mouth, I was able to build my business to a full-time career.
I love having a mobile & virtual paint party event business, where I do private events at people’s homes, HOA’s and apartment communities, team-building events at businesses, churches, and really anywhere. I have also partnered with local businesses where I offer painting events that are open to the public. I am currently t a local winery one to two times monthly. Whether it is in-person, or virtual, all of my events offer step-by-step instruction to recreate the sample painting, with the freedom for each guest to also get as creative as they want.

I am very proud of the word-of-mouth referrals that I continue to receive. I love what I do and I am so glad that it shows to my customers.

A few things that set me apart from others are that I offer custom paintings for private events at no extra charge. This has helped solve the problem of customers not being able to find a painting that suits their entire group. Sometimes they want a painting of a destination where they’ve all traveled together, or something else that the group has in common, and I come up with a custom painting for them which I in turn add to my library of paintings that I offer to all.

Another service that sets me apart is that I pre-sketch the canvases, which most, if not all, corporate studios do not offer. I find that this helps to alleviate stress on behalf of a guest and focuses our time on the fun of painting.

Also setting me apart is that I do not charge travel fees, per say. I just increase the minimum charge per event to compensate for the additional milage and time. However, this also includes extra painters equivalent to the additional charge which my clients have truly appreciated.

I’ve done many events with seniors over the years, and have always been happy to not only create custom paintings for them, but also to modify any existing painting for them, or any group requesting this service!

Being both the instructor as well as the business owner has offered me the ability to be flexible in many areas of my business to better serve each customer.

Overall, my guests who hire me to do their private in-person events have always appreciated how easy it is on their end. Clients simply need to provide the space, tables, and chairs, and I do the rest! From the table cloths to providing and setting up ALL supplies needed, including providing aprons for each guest and music, those hosting can look forward to a stress-free and fun event.

Those who have a virtual event with me are relieved with the kits that I can ship out to each guest. Literally everything they need is provided, except for the water in the rinse cup LOL.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist and having a business that allows me to share my creativity with others is that it expresses that I love what I do! I have had many guests give me feedback that my enjoyment of teaching these step-by-step painting events shows through, and has in turn contributed to THEIR enjoyment of the event, I also consider myself blessed that many of my customers are not only repeat customers, but they continue to invite their personal friends and family to my public events, they continue to book additional private events, they share my business on their own social media, and many have since become my friends!
On a more personal level, I find it not just rewarding, but a blessing that I am able to have a business that allows me to express my creativity.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

I have taught step-by-step painting events for seven and a half years now. One goal that continues to drive me is to encourage more people who feel that they are not creative or artistic, to allow them this stress-free opportunity to have a creative outlet as well as distraction from their daily “to-do list.” I have had so many guests who whether or not like their painting, they have thoroughly enjoyed the process and being able to do something creative. As adults, many of us don’t allow ourselves the time to actually have relaxed and creative fun. On the other side of that, another goal that continues to drive me is to bring these fun opportunities to those who ARE creative, but don’t make the time in their own lives to get creative.

In general I am driven to provide opportunities for coworkers, friends, family, neighbors, etc. to be able to paint memories together!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.LetsPaintYall.com
• Instagram: @LetsPaintYall
• Facebook: @LetsPaintYall
• Other: TikTok (new!) @LetsPaintYall