We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kat Gentry. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kat below.

Kat, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Since I can remember I’ve always wanted to be an illustrator. As a kid I was constantly drawing and painting dogs. If I was ever bored I would just pick up a pencil and start creating. That eventually lead me to college where I received my BFA in illustration from Savannah College of Art and Design. My passion has always been painting with acrylics and doing portraiture. Starting January 2023, a friend of mine commissioned two dog portraits, and everything sky rocketed from there. Through word of mouth, art markets, and marketing I began receiving several commissions and knew that this could be something bigger. That’s when I decided to start my own small business painting custom pet portraits!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I paint custom pet portraits. I receive a reference photo, I ask for a color for the background, and if there’s any other details they would like to include. The turn around time for a painting is usually less than two weeks, depending on the size. My number one goal is making sure the client is completely satisfied. I currently sell prints online, and I’m creating totes, stickers, and postcards as well. What brings me the most joy is evoking an emotion in the painting but also in the viewer, capturing the pet’s expression through their eyes. The gratifying part of starting my business is the reaction my clients have after they receive their painting. I had a client who’s pet had recently passed away, reach out to me; “What you did for me was just so kind, I miss my sweet Bella every day and this portrait you made me makes things so much better every time I look at it! I put it next to her ashes. You captured her demeanor to a tee!!”It is immensely rewarding to know how much I can really impact someone’s life just by a personalized pet portrait.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I started building my brand on social media by creating reels and stories on instagram. I save trending sounds, songs and post when people are most active. Before I post I click on three trending topics that are pertinent to my content. I also use marketing to help my reels reach a higher audience. I film the process of my paintings with a trending sound, edit it to the music, and post! My most exciting social media moment was when my painting of a borzoi with the trending sound “Let me do it for you…” got up to 20,000 views. My advice for building a social media presence is to keep making reels and posting every day. Show your audience your voice and why you love doing what you do.

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

Flyers! I’ve put up flyers at grocery stores, vets, small businesses, coffee shops, anywhere they’ll let me! It’s really fun to hear people say they found your flyer while they were shopping for produce. Another way I’ve met clients has been through my website, art markets and online advertising. I have received commissions by posting stories and reels of my work. But I enjoy making connections and interacting with people in person the most.

Contact Info:

• Website: petportraits.me
• Instagram: instagram.com/katgentrypetportraits
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089814992894