We were lucky to catch up with Lori Miller recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lori, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I started with paint parties in April 2018. A friend from childhood had just recently opened a brewery and asked if I’d like to host a paint ‘night” at her brewery – I had never been to or wanted to go to a paint party at that time. I have been drawing/painting my whole life. I posted and hosted my first party and it sold out 27 painters. Even having to buy all the supplies to host that many people I still made a decent amount of profit. I realized at that point that paint parties are a decent way to make a little extra money. I was still working in corporate America but started picking up more and more small events over two years. In January 2020, I decided that it was time to open my studio to continue to teach people and do as many events as I wanted to do. I gave my notice and then the world shut down 2 short months later. I had to pivot and go back to work for my current job but kept my studio even when I couldn’t host people to paint. I wish I had taken the chance earlier and opened it when I first tried to do it in July of 2018. I would have had almost a year and a half under my belt would have been to manage the pandemic much better and would have taken the jump to work for myself faster. I listened to others’ fears before I listened to my own heart. Going forward I go with my gut over others’ fears. Because my story starts and ends with me.

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

I do a lot of different things. I teach novice and experienced painters how to paint. I also teach people how to do DIY projects. But I also provide paint party/craft party business owner coaching. What makes me different is I have been there and do not gatekeep. I want everyone to have the information on how to be successful. There is enough space for everyone to be successful. I am proud that I am constantly changing and pivoting to find the next thing that people are into. And once I have successfully figured out how it works I share it with my clients.

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

I built my audience mainly during the pandemic. I knew that it was unfamiliar territory for people and I wanted to make it as easy as I could for kids and adults alike. I started providing free paint parties online every single night to give them a bit of comfort in something that could be familiar to them in these strange times. I continue to now paint online with people for a small nominal fee. But the best advice I can give is to be consistent. People want to buy and want to learn more about people that they can see and see that is real

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I just recently moved from Maine to Florida (In July of 2023). I went from having a studio with classes daily to moving to a city where no one knew me. I had to start over from zero like I was in 2018. I have only been in Florida for 8 short months and I am starting to build the same type of clientele that I had in Maine. It’s been a hard road but now I am more experienced and know where to go and how to get butts in seats.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rarebirdartstudio.com
• Instagram: @rarebirdart.studio
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/rarebirdartstudiofla