We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kris Richter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kris thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

I’ve always learned that if you want to make it in business, your business needs to stand out. It needs to be something a little more different than the rest, or in my mind, a little more fun. That’s what I had in mind when I was growing and shaping my business. I wanted to offer art that was just plain FUN. Where the process was more important than the end result.

You can learn how we are different than other art businesses by reading our Company Culture Statement and Core Values. Our motto is: “PLAY with ART here, where the FOCUS is on the FUN!”

Culture Statement:

At The Craft Lab, we promise to cultivate an environment where the joy of self-expression reigns supreme over perfection, where people can come to connect with others through an extraordinarily fun, creative experience. To accomplish this, we are committed to empowering all people to embrace their creative spirit, regardless of age, experience, background, or ability.

Our Core Values:

Community: The Craft Lab is more than just a place to create art; it’s a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for creativity. We foster connections and friendships among our guests, building a sense of belonging.

Inclusivity: We pledge to be an open door for all, inviting people of all backgrounds, skill levels, ages and abilities into our creative space. Here, there is no judgment, no comparison, only a warm welcome for those eager to explore their artistic side, or just have a little fun with art and each other.

Fun: We vow to prioritize the enjoyment of the artistic journey over the pressure of producing a perfect masterpiece. At The Craft Lab, laughter and happiness are celebrated as key ingredients in the art-making process.

Encouragement and Assistance: Our team is committed to offering guidance and support to every participant, regardless of their artistic background or personal ability. Our primary focus is on making the creative process enjoyable for all, prioritizing the experience over the end result.

Creativity without Boundaries: We embrace the freedom to create without constraints. The Craft Lab is not your typical paint and sip; there are no predefined images to replicate. Instead, we focus on the enjoyment you have while making your art.

Anxiety-Free Zone: We understand the weight of judgment and performance anxiety. At The Craft Lab, we promise a safe and welcoming space where worries can be left at the door, allowing you to simply enjoy the experience with your friends and family.

Mission Statement:
Our mission is to become the premier place for everyone to play and experiment with art, where our community can connect through creativity regardless of artistic background or personal ability.

Kris, 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?

In 2021 I opened a little local consignment shop with a few friends. A few months after opening the friends had decided this business venture just wasn’t for either of them, so they both quit. My business location wasn’t exactly the best for a new store, and I remember thinking to myself that I would have to do something really fun to bring people in, or I would have to close. That’s when The Paint Playground was born.

I was very nervous when it first opened. Were people going to be interested? How would the paint set up work? How would I ensure everyone stayed safe, while having a ton of fun? It turns out the concept itself was pretty magical. Pair that with actually listening to customers and making changes based on their requests and ideas, and the result has been pretty astounding.

I know, you’re dying to hear more about what it actually is, right? Well, it’s an experience like no other. Your group (2-12 or so people) gets 45 minutes in the Paint Playground. Everyone wears the provided plastic ponchos and safety glasses. We hang canvases on the wall, and you can throw paint to make a painting. You can use squirt guns to paint. You can paint on the walls, furniture, and windows. You can even paint on each other, because it is all washable, non-toxic tempera paint. (Paint fight, anyone?) Everyone does create at least one painting to take home as a souvenir, but you can do as many as you want during your time.

Our hosts provide all the instruction to ensure you have a great time during your visit. We help you get ready, queue up your favorite music for you, and demonstrate fun techniques. We even ask one person to leave a phone handy so we can catch a before, after, and even candid photos of your group simply having fun together. (Mom’s, don’t worry. This time, you WILL be in the photos!)

Black Friday 2023 (the day after Thanksgiving), is our 2nd Anniversary of The Paint Playground. In the last year we have expanded our offerings to include things such as Electric Spin Art, Acrylic Pour Painting, and Thick Acrylic Paintings. We place most of the value on the experience you and your friends and loved ones have together while creating the art. There is no talent required to have fun here!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

A clear logo, consistent social media, and taking advantage of every opportunity to get my company in front of the community at local events, are three things I think helped the most. I also believe that our great customer service, and practice of taking photos for our guests have greatly impacted this as well. We ensure customers leave with candid photos of the fun, allowing them to share their experience with others. Word of mouth is one of our biggest reasons people visit.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I knew early on that I would need help if I were going to grow a successful business. After all, I had never done this before. I had never worn many of the hats that I had to put on as the owner of a small business. And I certainly didn’t know how to manage my time within it all.

Through my local chamber of commerce I found a business ACTION Coach, Bonita Palmer of BGP Group. I often tell people that one of my best decisions I ever made was hiring her. She has supported and guided me through some pretty big challenges, and I’ve learned how to be a better business owner and leader to my team because of it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thecraftlabmilford.com
• Instagram: @thecraftlabmilford
• Facebook: fb.com/thecraftlabmilford