We were lucky to catch up with Kimara Nicholas recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kimara, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?
Some of the most unexpected problems I’ve faced so far in this new creative journey of mine is finding people who are willing to have the Paint Parties. Living in Clayton County, there are very limited spaces that are available to rent at affordable prices for a start up business. Another problem is that if I do find an affordable venue, I am worried about paint spillage and damage to the space. I don’t have the space to have events outside of friends and family in my home.
Another issue is that although the price is competitive for the area I still don’t get anyone interested. Just starting out this can be very discouraging. I do get a lot of support and encouragement from my friends and family. But that support isn’t building my business.
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 started my paint party business because I was looking for a way to help with my mental health and had heard that painting was a great way to help. Being that I loved to color but can’t draw (my Thanksgiving turkey on my calendar got called a dead rat and a bug LOL) so I looked into painting. I came upon Paint Party Headquarteres an amazing membership based company that gives you great step by step instructions to have a successful paint party business. I joined and Picture Perfect Paintings were born. I love that the few parties that I have had of my friends and family we have all had a great time.
I am looking forward to having others experience the happiness of painting and having a great time with friends. I’m hoping that my business flourishes and that people of all ages will come to think of Picture Perfect Paintings when they want to have a great time.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest lessons I ever had to unlearn is to plan but learn to not be such a stickler for the plans if they don’t work out. In 2006, I was working as a Senior Secretary for a nonprofit in New York City, a mother of 2, a great relationship with my family, an amazing group of friends who I frequently socialized with, and in pretty good health. And then in August 2006, everything changed. I was suddenly scared to leave my house. I just cried uncontrollably for no reason. I went to so many doctors that I can’t even remember them all. I was diagnosed with having a mental breakdown, anxiety, mild depressive disorder, and bipolar. All the plans that I made about moving up in my job, traveling with my children, and so much more faded away. My entire life changed. Looking back now, I know that it needed to change for me to grow and become stronger. Yes I still suffer from depression and it is now severe depression but I now have a better handle on it and know how to take care of myself. I have lost some friends, and I have moved from New York to Georgia but I am for once in my entire life truly and honestly happy.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My mission that is driving my creative journey is simple, I want to make people feel good. To escape the craziness, the stress, and the pressure of their lives. Painting gives you that and so much more. I went from starting this journey just for me to taking it to a business to realizing that this is why I found this business to give others who suffer from mental health, invisible diseases, incurable diseases and so much more a chance to add beauty, peace and fun into their lives. I never realized how therapeutic painting was until I had my first event and started painting, I got so lost in painting and laughing and talking that I completely forgot I was supposed to be teaching the class but it felt amazing. It was freeing. I now find myself painting whenever I feel depression setting in.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://tiny.cc/pictureperfectpaintings
- Instagram: atl_pictureperfectpaintings
- Facebook: atlpictureperfectpaintings
