We recently connected with Miranda Barrientos and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Miranda, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

It takes determination to be successful. You have to be okay with failing and trying again, taking a risk and seeing what the outcome is. If you really care about what you’re trying to do you will try over and over until you finally figure out how to be successful with it. It’s all about being willing to learn and change and grow.

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

I’m Miranda, 24 yrs old, born and raised in Saginaw. I’m a cosmetologist, artist, and tattoo apprentice in the Old Town area. I own Free Spirit Spa and Shorty’s Casa De Arte. Art is my life line. I was lucky enough to be raised around art. My dad was always airbrushing, tattooing, and drawing so I quickly picked up an interest in creating. I have many art mediums but I focus heavily on painting and rug tufting. I recently began a tattoo apprenticeship so I’m really excited for that journey to take off.
When it comes to my business, Shortys Casa De Arte, there’s not much that I can’t create. Every item I offer is customizable whether it’s a resin piece, cup, rug, painting, coaster, etc. I like to think that offering so many items gives my customers more options around the holidays.
I’m proud of my artwork. Throughout the years it’s just continued to grow and grow. When I first began selling my pieces I was only offering canvas paintings. I’ve always been willing to learn new ways to make things and it’s been extremely beneficial for my business and for my customers. I do my best not to limit myself, I’ll always be willing to try and create whatever is being asked of me and if I really can’t figure it out then I’m willing to find someone that can help.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Social media! As much as we hate to admit it, technology has taken over. I’ve met so many people that have said things like “thank you for keeping your instagram updated. I like to see what your products are like before ordering”. Our social media pages are like a magazine catalog. We have to post our best photos and hope that it catches new clients eyes.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Shortys Casa De Arte was a very slow start. When I came up with the idea of an art business I was working at a salon and just barely managing my budget. I’d slowly buy supplies with whatever I had left at the end of my paycheck. Eventually I started my own spa and as I built that business I could start putting more money into art supplies. Over the past 2 years I’ve been lucky enough to fund my art business entirely with extra income from my spa and it’s going well. I am very lucky to have been able to fund everything myself without loans. It took a lot of patience but it’s been worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: Shortyscasa.square.site
• Instagram: @shortys.casa.de.arte
• Facebook: Shortys Casa De Arte