We were lucky to catch up with Kenetra Saintilaire recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kenetra , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business

From Broken Beginnings to a Fleurishing Vision

As a business owner, every day feels like turning the page of a story you didn’t quite finish writing. You can plan, dream, and prepare—but you’ll never truly know what waits on the next page.

When my husband and I first began this journey of opening what would become Fleurish Creative Studio, we were filled with excitement, ideas, and faith. We saw color, laughter, art, and families connecting in ways that reminded us why community matters. But what we didn’t see coming was the cost—the kind that can’t be measured in dollars alone.

The Dream That Turned

In the beginning, we thought partnering with someone experienced would be the best route. We were eager, hopeful, and trusting—ready to pour our hearts into something bigger than ourselves. We believed this partnership would help us bring art and creativity to Savannah in a way that uplifted the community.

But dreams sometimes come wrapped in lessons. As time went on, cracks began to show. Calls weren’t coming in. Our website sat silent. What we thought was collaboration turned into confusion, secrecy, and disappointment. We discovered the painful truth: the partnership wasn’t what it seemed. Hidden motives and broken promises replaced what we had built in faith.

The Breaking Point

I remember sitting at our kitchen table one night—papers everywhere, bills piled up, tears slipping down my face. My husband reached across and said softly, “We’ll pray our way through this.”

We had no trust fund to lean on, no big investor to call. Every dollar came from our 9-to-5 grind, our sweat, and our belief in what this business could be. When that foundation shook, I felt defeated—as if I’d failed not just as a businesswoman, but as a wife, a mother, and a dreamer.

We were behind on rent for the studio and our home. Some days, it felt like the walls were closing in. But prayer changes things. We prayed for direction, for wisdom, for strength to rebuild what had been torn down. And slowly, clarity came.

The Turning Point

We made the hard decision to sever the partnership and start fresh—just the two of us. We didn’t have customers. We didn’t have capital. But we had determination, faith, and each other.

For five months, we showed up to an empty studio. No phone calls. No walk-ins. Just quiet faith and the sound of our own footsteps sweeping, painting, rearranging—believing that somehow, all of this mattered. Some days, my husband was the only one who reminded me to breathe through it all.

No one saw the battle we were fighting. It was silent, heavy, and exhausting. But deep down, we knew—if we could just keep going, something would shift.

A New Name, A New Beginning

In September 2024, that shift came. We rebranded and renamed our business Fleurish Creative Studio. The word Fleurish means “to grow or develop rapidly and successfully,” and that name became our declaration.

Growth didn’t come like a flood—it came like small drops of rain. But each drop mattered. In November, we booked our first big event. The client trusted us fully, and we poured our hearts into it. When it was over, she smiled and said, “This was exactly what I needed.”

That moment lit a spark.

Finding Our Place

From there, I pushed myself to go where I was uncomfortable—networking events, business meetups, spaces where I didn’t know a soul. Every handshake, every short conversation, felt like a tiny door cracking open. Those rooms became little bursts of courage, little reminders that we were still in the fight.

And then came one of our proudest moments: becoming members of the Southwest Black Chamber of Commerce and Savannah Chamber of Commerce and joining their Grand Opening Taskforce Team. To stand beside other entrepreneurs, to see Fleurish listed among them—it felt like God whispering, “See? I told you I would do it.”

The Story Continues

We’re still growing, still learning, still showing up. What started as a painful lesson has become a story of faith, resilience, and restoration.

Fleurish Creative Studio isn’t just a place to paint—it’s a symbol of perseverance, of what happens when you refuse to give up even when the dream gets messy.

Every brushstroke, every event, every laugh shared within our studio walls is a reminder that beauty really can rise from broken beginnings.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As the proud owner of Fleurish Creative Studio, I’ve made it my mission to turn creativity into connection. At Fleurish, we don’t just paint — we create moments. From family-friendly art sessions to themed experiences and community events, every detail is planned with intention, joy, and heart.

My passion lies in helping others see that creativity isn’t just about art — it’s about experience building. I love sharing insights on how to plan meaningful gatherings, whether that’s an intimate paint night, a team-building event, or a large-scale celebration. Through Fleurish, I teach individuals and aspiring hosts how to design unforgettable experiences that leave people inspired, seen, and connected.

I believe that every person has the ability to create magic through thoughtful planning, and I’m here to help bring that vision to life — one brushstroke, one event, and one moment at a time.

🌸 What Fleurish Creative Studio Offers

At Fleurish Creative Studio, we create experiences that inspire creativity, connection, and joy. Our mission is to help people slow down, express themselves, and celebrate life through art and intentional gatherings.

We offer a variety of creative and community-centered experiences, including:

🎨 Paint & Sip Experiences
Relax, unwind, and create something beautiful. Our paint-and-sip events are perfect for girls’ nights, date nights, or anyone looking to explore their inner artist in a fun, no-pressure environment.

👩‍👧 Mommy & Me & Family Art Sessions
Our family-centered art events are designed to help parents and children connect through creativity. These moments become memories that last far beyond the canvas.

🏢 Team-Building & Corporate Events
We help businesses create stronger, happier teams through customized art experiences focused on connection, creativity, and collaboration.

🎉 Private Parties & Special Occasions
From birthdays to bridal showers, Fleurish offers private art parties that make every celebration unique, colorful, and full of joy.

🖌️ Workshops & Creative Coaching
We also offer hands-on workshops and guidance for those who want to learn how to plan and host meaningful events, blending creativity with intentional planning.

✨ Community Events & Collaborations
We partner with local businesses, schools, and organizations to bring art experiences to the community — spreading color, joy, and togetherness wherever we go.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

My best source of new clients is online through Facebook and google reviews.

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

I built my social media by showing up every single day—engaging with others, supporting their posts, and staying consistent with my own. Growth came because I stayed committed, even on the days I didn’t feel like it. Consistency will pay as it may seem small in the moment but do it. Automate your post if possible because this helps to take the pressure off. For me Monday is Media for me, so that I can reset everything for the week and beyond.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fleurishcreativestudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fleurishcreativestudios/#
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558930576386#