We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristen Larkin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristen below.
Kristen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.
There are so many things but you can’t go back and redo. I came from a long career in finance and my motto is “I went from 6 figures to 6 dollars but am much happier”
With lessons learned I continue to enhance how I run my business.
Spend less on “darling little ideas” and focus on the top selling items.
Create a cleaner environment – less one off purchases to paint, de cluttered workspace, streamlined website….
Surround myself with the people who keep me up and not drag me down
Move from FOMO to JOMO
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.
Kristen Larkin grew up in Saugerties, New York and now lives in Westchester with her husband and three children.
A momprenuer, philanthropist and community leader, Kristen started her own business 8 years ago after a successful career in Finance. Kristen is often quoted with “I went from 6 figures to 6 dollars but am much happier”. Fortunately, now it’s no longer just 6 dollars BUT the swap she made gave her the life and lifestyle she now leads.
“It was scary – still is – but on the other side of scary is success on my own terms and fulfillment. I feel joyful and I know my clients receive that with every glassware purchase and every completed paint party.”
After half her life in Finance, Kristen has unlocked her inner creativity and sells custom designed hand-painted glassware as well as offers glass painting events for clients.
She can be found at many events throughout the tri-state area and her products are featured at shops from the Village Mercantile in Larchmont to Terez on Lex in Manhattan as well as online.
“What we crave now is connections. People want to be with people in conversation, they crave slow moments in a creative space with no grand agenda and painting allows all this to happen”.
Kristen firmly believes that if you don’t fit the mold then create one and break it. And embraces the code of community over competition.
Her painting events are perfect for everything from a girls night to a corporate team building event. From 10 attendees to 110! And if you want to book a virtual class across states this is possible too!!!
Rapid Fire:
If your handmade products could talk, what do you think they would say?
I’m unique and gorgeous! Don’t be afraid to put me in the dishwasher!
What’s the most adventurous place your handmade products have traveled to?
Sri Lanka / Dubai
If your handmade products were characters in a story, what roles would they play?
They would be the sexy cousins of Chip from Beauty and the Beast
If you could magically master any new craft overnight, what would it be and why?
Pottery!!!
Describe your ideal crafting playlist or soundtrack.
Pink / This is Pink : Raise Your Glass
If your handmade products were to be featured in a movie, what genre would it be and who would play the lead role?
Comedy – all female leads like Ocean’s 8 with Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Rihanna, and Helena BonhamCarter.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
As a product and service based business I feel it all comes down to authenticity and client relationship management coupled with a unique product offering. My hand painted glassware is unique by all standards. I create the designs, paint everything by hand and stand by the “dishwasher safe” guarantee.
I pitch and sell my product in person to create a relationship with buyers and then build on this with each purchase. Once my clients have fallen in love with the product they come back time and again because of that and the trust they have in me.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Not trusting my gut. If I was in the corporate world still I would have said the fear of being a fraud. Something that many people suffer from. But with my business I have never felt that. I feel strong about my art and my paint classes. However, sometimes I don’t listen to my gut when I meet people who appear to have it all together and want to take you to the top! After a few times of trusting but not verifying the shiny new thing, I have to start trusting that something are too good to be true and my gut knows !
Contact Info:
- Website: 22katkrafts.com
- Instagram: 22KATKRAFTS
- Facebook: 22KATKRAFTS
